As remote and hybrid teams continue to grow, building strong connections between team members becomes increasingly important.

While Slack serves as a core communication tool, it often doesn’t encourage informal, spontaneous interactions that strengthen team bonds.

In fact, 69.5% of employees said they would be happier with deeper connections with their colleagues.

Although Donut is a popular Slack integration for fostering these connections, many teams are seeking alternatives that offer more variety and engagement.

In this article, you’ll discover the best Slack apps for better team building in 2024 and how these tools can improve your team’s engagement and boost morale.

What Is Donut?

Donut connects team members by randomly pairing them for virtual coffee chats and informal meetups.

It’s especially useful for distributed teams, encouraging employees to engage outside their regular work tasks. By promoting casual conversations, Donut helps build stronger relationships and creates a more connected team culture.

However, unlike Donut, many teams want something more interactive, like games or activities, to foster better team building. Donut focuses mostly on one-on-one meetups, which may not satisfy teams seeking more structured activities, group and employee engagement.

This limitation has led many teams to explore Donut for Slack alternatives that offer a broader range of tools for team bonding.

6 Donut Alternatives For Team Building

These are the six best Donut alternatives:

1. Braid

Braid brings energy and excitement to remote and hybrid teams by offering a growing library of engaging games directly within Slack.

Whether you want to break the ice, spark creativity, or strengthen team bonds, Braid makes it easy to turn your Slack workspace into a hub for team connection.

Designed for teams of all sizes—whether it’s two people or 200+—Braid adapts seamlessly to your group’s needs.

Its user-friendly design lets anyone get started in just a few clicks, removing barriers to participation and making team-building a part of everyday work.

Key Features

• Games library: Access a variety of fun, interactive games for team dynamics.

• Slack integration: Launch games with simple slash commands like /braid.

• Support for large teams: Host games for 200+ members, with options for smaller groups.

• Easy game initiation: Anyone can start a game, easing the pressure on hosts.

• Live score tracking: Engage with live leaderboards and performance dashboards.

• Automated game scheduling: Set recurring games and reminders for regular team-building.

• Regular updates: New games added monthly to keep the experience fresh.

Pricing Plans

• Free plan: $0/month with four games, basic leaderboards, and standard insights.

• Premium plan: $3/month per user with new monthly games, customization, and detailed reports.

• Enterprise plan: Custom pricing for teams of 1,000+ users with dedicated support and extra admin controls.

Schedule a demo today!

2. Ricotta

Source: ricotta.team

Ricotta helps teams engage with games like trivia, word games, and quizzes, all within Slack. It’s a fun way to add casual, interactive moments to daily interactions.

Key Features

• Daily trivia and quizzes: Offers regular challenges for the team.

• Automated leaderboards: Tracks scores and fosters friendly competition.

• Slack integration: Easy access and play within Slack channels.

Pricing Plans

• Basic plan: $34/month for up to 50 users with standard features.

• Standard plan: $39/month with extended customization for up to 50 users.

• Growth plan: $59/month for up to 200 users with advanced tools.

• Enterprise plan: $99/month for up to 500 users with premium features and priority support.

3. Confetti

Source: withconfetti.com

Confetti offers professionally hosted events, including trivia, escape rooms, and virtual workshops, designed to engage teams and build camaraderie.  It’s suitable for structured team-building experiences.

Key Features

• Hosted events: Provides lead team activities.

• Customizable options: Adjust activities to match team preferences.

• Wide activity selection: Includes trivia, escape rooms, and more.

Pricing Plans

• Pay As You Go: $150/event with small event budgets.

• Plus plan: $2,500/year with access to multiple events throughout the year.

4. Doozy

Source: doozy.live

Doozy is a Slack app offering team-building games, video call features, and milestone celebrations to foster engagement and a positive team culture.

Key Features

• Team games: Includes trivia and other engaging activities.

• Event celebrations: Celebrate milestones and achievements within your Slack channels.

• Custom integrations: Syncs with calendar apps like Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook.

Pricing Plans

• Team plan: $4/month per user for up to 1,000 users, with introductions, polls, surveys, and HRIS integrations.

5. Trivia

Source: trytrivia.co

Trivia keeps teams engaged by offering a collection of quizzes and games that make meetings or breaks more fun. Whether used in Slack or Microsoft Teams, this app encourages collaboration and introduces an element of friendly competition for better team building.

Key Features

• Pre-built quizzes: Choose from various ready-to-play categories.

• Custom quizzes: Create quizzes tailored to your team's interests.

• Leaderboards: Track scores and spark friendly competition.

Pricing Plans

• Basic plan: Free, with access to basic quizzes and features.

• Standard plan: $1 per user/month, with a minimum of $29 billing, featuring more advanced quizzes.

• Pro plan: $2 per user/month, with a minimum of $49 billing, offering advanced features and premium games.

• Enterprise plan: Price on request, designed for larger teams with additional support.

6. Icebreaker

Source: icebreaker.video

Icebreaker helps teams engage with quick and interactive activities, making it easy for employees to connect. This app allows team members to interact meaningfully, enhancing team culture without a lengthy setup.

Key Features

• Conversation prompts: Get teams talking with thoughtful questions.

• Random pairings: Pair team members for one-on-one interactions.

• Simple setup: Easily integrates into Slack for a seamless experience.

Pricing Plans

• Premium plan: Pricing ranges from $30/month to $400/month, depending on team size, ideal for boosting meeting engagement.

• Enterprise plan: Starting at $5,400/year, tailored for companies focused on culture-building through interactive programs.

Why Slack Needs Apps for Better Team Building

Slack is great for communication, but its standard Slack features don’t support informal interactions or build team culture. Its focus on work tasks leaves little room for casual conversations that strengthen relationships, especially in remote and hybrid teams.

As teams grow across time zones, employees often feel isolated, which affects morale and collaboration. Apps like Donut and alternatives such as Braid help teams bond through activities outside of work. Braid, for example, offers interactive games to keep teams engaged and connected.

While Donut supports casual meetups, it doesn’t address every need. Many teams look for tools that include employee wellness, recognition, and structured team-building. Alternatives like Braid provide a wider range of features to build stronger personal connections.

How To Choose The Right Donut Alternative For Your Team

When selecting the right donut for slack alternative, consider these factors:

• Team size and structure: For large teams or those looking for scalability, Braid is ideal with its ability to host games for 200+ members.

• Type of engagement: If you want structured team-building activities, Braid offers a variety of interactive games to keep teams engaged.

• Budget: Braid provides a free plan with limited features, and its premium plan offers more customization and tools for a small fee.

• Ease of use: Braid integrates seamlessly with Slack and has a simple setup, making it easy for everyone to get started.

Make Team Building Simple And Fun With Braid!

Creating a connected and motivated team doesn’t have to be difficult, even in remote or hybrid work settings. Braid makes team building simple and fun by offering engaging games directly within Slack.

With features like interactive games, live leaderboards, and automated scheduling, Braid keeps teams engaged and connected effortlessly.

Whether you’re organizing icebreakers, celebrating milestones, or planning group activities, Braid seamlessly integrates into your workflow, ensuring team-building becomes a regular part of your routine.

Start building stronger connections today—schedule a demo now!

FAQs About Donut For Slack Alternatives

What is the free alternative to Donut?

The best free alternative to Donut is Braid. It offers a free plan with interactive games that help teams bond and engage within Slack.

What is similar to Donut?

Donut is similar to Braid in that both apps promote team bonding and casual interactions within Slack. They offer fun activities and opportunities for teams to connect on a personal level beyond work tasks.

Is there a better alternative to Slack?

While Slack is widely used, Microsoft Teams and Discord are alternatives that may fit teams with different needs. Teams integrates better with Office 365, while Discord is preferred for voice and video features.

How do I add Donut to Slack?

To add Donut to Slack, go to the Slack App Directory, search for Donut, click "Add to Slack," and follow the instructions to grant permissions and configure the settings.

Can Twine integrate with Slack for team-building?

Twine Web Service doesn’t integrate directly with Slack but can complement Slack apps like Donut by hosting larger, more formal team-building sessions alongside Slack-based interactions.