Startups move fast. There's no time to jump between apps for chat, project tracking, support tickets, and progress logs. You need tools that let your team talk, work, and organize together — all in one place. That's where hybrid tools come in: part chat, part task-tracking, all magic!
TLDR: Best Chat-Task Hybrids for Startup Superpowers
Small startups love platforms that combine messaging, task management, and collaboration. The four stars in this space are Slack (with integrations), ClickUp, Twist, and Flock. Each one is amazing in its own way. Whether you want tight integration with tools or clean, async chat with tasks, there’s something for every small team.
1. Slack (with Task Add-ons) — The Old Favorite that Still Shines
Slack is the king of startup chat. Sure, it's mostly known for messaging, but it gets real superpowers when combined with task-tracking apps like Asana, Trello, or Jira.
- Strength: Seamless chat + integration with hundreds of task apps
- Best for: Teams already using tools like Google Drive, GitHub, or Notion
- Bonus: Great search, tagging, and easy-to-build bots
The real power of Slack lies in its ability to pull things together. You can track a bug from a Jira plugin, discuss it in a channel, and set a reminder — all without jumping tools.
But here’s the thing: it’s not a full task tracker by itself. You’ll wanna pair it with a proper task app to make things flow.
2. ClickUp — Chat, Tasks, Docs, and Dashboards Galore
ClickUp is like the Swiss army knife of startup work. It has chat. It has tasks. It has docs, goals, reminders, and dashboards. Everything's built-in.
- Strength: All-in-one workspace for productivity
- Best for: Startups that want everything under one roof
- Bonus: You can customize views and automations till your brain melts
The built-in chat in ClickUp isn’t just basic messaging. You can link chats directly to tasks. Imagine discussing a bug and turning that convo into a to-do item in one click. Boom. No info lost.
And the views! Need a Kanban board, calendar, simple to-do list, or time-tracking spreadsheet? Pick your flavor.
Image not found in postmetaStartups especially love the free plan — it’s very generous. Need to scale? Paid plans are affordable too.
3. Twist — Calm Conversations with Built-in Task Planning
If Slack gives you FOMO, try Twist. It's all about asynchronous communication. That means you chat without needing to be glued to it 24/7. Perfect for remote or global teams.
- Strength: Async chat + lightweight task tracking
- Best for: Teams that value focus and calm over ping-pong chats
- Bonus: Created by the same folks behind Todoist (yep, task pros!)
Twist organizes conversations into threads. Threads live inside channels. It's structured, cleaner, and less manic than real-time chat apps.
And yes — you can turn a message into a task in Todoist (their sister app). Everything connects smoothly. Need updates? Todoist brings them into Twist. It feels like magic.
Also, the minimalist design? A breath of fresh air when your brain’s fried at 5 PM.
4. Flock — Chat Meets Productivity with a Dash of Quirk
Flock is like Slack’s peppy younger sibling. It has chat, task management, notes, polls, and even video calls. But it’s simpler and lighter.
- Strength: Built-in to-dos, file sharing, and productivity tools
- Best for: Teams who want Slack vibes without the cost
- Bonus: It has a built-in team directory and code snippet sharing
You can make tasks right from a chat message. Every chat thread comes with a “To-Dos” panel for tracking jobs. Tag a teammate, set a due date, and off it goes!
There’s even a feature called “Shared To-Dos” where anyone in the channel can see and update tasks. Super handy for small, scrappy teams.
And the price? Much cheaper than Slack. There's a great free version, and paid plans start pretty low too.
So Which One Should You Choose?
Each of these tools has its own vibe. The best one for your startup depends on your style.
- Slack + Add-ons: Best if you already use lots of tools and want great integrations
- ClickUp: Ideal for teams who want everything built-in
- Twist: Pick this if you want peace, quiet, and async brilliance
- Flock: Great value, simple interface, instant productivity
Our advice? Try one or two for free. Run a mini-project. See what feels right. Startups evolve fast, so go with the one that works now — and change later if you need to.
More Pro Tips for Picking Your Tool
- Check mobile apps: Your tool should work well on the go.
- Look at integrations: Choose one that plays well with your current setup.
- Test real use cases: Try punting around tickets, assigning tasks, and reviewing progress — for real.
- Ask your team: A tool only works if your team actually uses it.
Final Thoughts
Managing both communication and tasks in one place doesn't just reduce chaos — it makes your startup faster and more focused.
Whether you're a team of five flying to your next big idea or bootstrapping from a beach café, one of these tools will be your new digital HQ.
Pick one. Dive in. And get back to building something amazing!
