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Whether you use Slack on areliable Chromebook, work PC, or smartphone, the app has become an essential workplace tool that keeps teams connected in remote or hybrid office settings. While the app has many built-in features likeprivate channels, posts for note-taking, and custom shortcuts, there’s also a hidden gem that’s perfect for making group decisions and gathering information: the polling option.
Whether you’re deciding on a restaurant for lunch with coworkers, getting their input on a project’s direction, or rating cat pictures, polls are a great way to distribute decision-making among your team. Here’s how to kick back and let your coworkers make the decisions.
This guide features an Android phone and a Windows PC. Apple users can follow along on an iPhone and a Mac.
Is there a poll option in Slack?
While Slack is great for quick calls and messages, it doesn’t have a built-in poll option. However, that can be fixed by getting creative with emojis or using third-party polling apps with Slack. We go over how to make polls with both of these methods below.
How to make a basic Slack poll with emoji
This is the easiest method for those who don’t want to use optional Slack apps. It might not be the most elegant solution, but Slack allows you to create simple polls by designating an emoji for each response.
The straightforward emoji method works in a pinch. However, the time and effort you save as a poll creator with this route must be paid in kind by the participants, who must search for the appropriate emoji to cast their vote. Don’t be surprised if you get fewer responses.
The lack of anonymity, limited polling options, and the absence of advanced features like scheduling or reminders are other reasons to try the next option.
Create a poll using a polling app
If the emoji option is too basic for you, opt for Slack’s third-party polling apps. These are an improvement over the emoji workaround and offer features like result analysis, customization options, scheduling, and more.
However, consult your employer’s IT security department before integrating a third-party app in your Slack workspace. Using third-party apps risks exposing yourself and your employer to malware and data theft. Even Android and iOS users havefallen prey to sketchy third-party appsdespite the robust security measures of these platforms. When the likes of Google and Applecan’t keep their digital marketplaces safe, dealing with a smaller entity like Slack warrants caution. This is especially true considering the potentially sensitive business data at stake. Unlike the Play Store, Slack doesn’t host third-party apps on its platform. This makes it difficult for Slack to prevent a third-party app from accessing private user data or engaging in other sketchy activities.
Which polling app is right for you?
There’s a variety of polling apps onSlack’s app directory. Some get the work done, whereas others come with a few bells and whistles. Here are a few apps that are easy to use and incorporate some fun features.
Simple Poll
Simple Poll lets you create basic polls in Slack without fancy customization options. The app isn’t completely bare-bones. It also includes nifty features like anonymous voting, recurring polls, and vote restrictions.
As for pricing, the free version of Simple Poll allows up to 100 responses, 30 polls, and 10 surveys per month. Meanwhile, the paid option starts at $49 per month and offers unlimited polls.
Simplicity comes at a cost. Polly might be a better option if Simple Poll’s high price and low response limit a turn-off. Besides poll creation, Polly includes templates for interactive games like Trivia and Hot Takes. Power users will appreciate its analytics web dashboard, trigger-based surveys, and scheduling options. The free version allows up to 25 poll responses per sender per month, whereas the paid version offers unlimited responses for $1 per month.
While Standuply is primarily designed to automate standup meetings, the app also lets you create polls. This is handy for generating basic or anonymous polls and viewing the results on Slack in real time. Standuply’s polling option can be used for free without limits on polls and responses. However, advanced features like an analytics dashboard, meeting summaries, and reports cost at least $1.50 per month.
Poll Everywhere
Poll Everywhere lets you quickly collect feedback, vote on topics, and assign tasks within the same channel. The app makes it easy to analyze poll results by providing comprehensive response history and detailed reports. The free version of the app offers unlimited polls as long as your team size is 25 or fewer. Meanwhile, the cheapest paid option allows for an audience size of 700 at $120 annually.
How to integrate polling apps in Slack
Slack has a variety of polling apps to choose from, but they’re not accessible within the app. You must go to the Slack app directory, select an app you like, and integrate it with Slack. Integrating an app with Slack is straightforward. Although we use Polly as an example of how to install a polling app, the same steps apply to other apps.
How to use polling apps in Slack
All apps are different and come with their own instructions. For specific instructions, visit the official website to learn how to navigate specific apps. We use Polly to demonstrate how polling works on Slack.
Using third-party polling solutions in Slack
Polling apps on Slack are a convenient way to gather feedback from coworkers. If you want advanced polling features, like powerful analytics and customization features, you’ll find them with third-party apps not integrated with Slack. Then, share the link with your coworkers in the Slack channel. Casting votes or analyzing the poll requires leaving the safety of your Slack window. Here are a few neat tools for creating custom online polls.
Poll Maker
Poll Maker lets you create polls and allows you to view results as they come in. In addition to helpful graphs, the tool features personalization options like custom themes and backgrounds. You can also restrict the number of votes, hide results from other participants, and set privacy levels.
Straw Poll
Straw Poll lets users cast votes and displays live results as pie charts or bar graphs. While this might be perceived as a drawback by some and a perk by others, Straw Poll doesn’t let you view who cast the votes. However, other features like a meeting scheduler and spam detection, block bots automatically.
Easy Polls
Easy Polls is another free polling tool that has customization features and themes to control how your poll looks. You also have the option to show or hide the results, view vote counts or percentages, and embed social media elements, such as comments and like counts.
SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey is primarily a sophisticated survey tool. It’s also great for creating polls. The free plan lets you create up to 10 polls, whereas the paid version allows unlimited polls starting at $39 per month.
Google Forms
Although Google Forms isn’t as quick and snazzy as the other polling tools we listed, it offers a host of templates that you can use for free. With Google Forms, you can present your options as multiple-choice lists, checkboxes, and drop-down menus. Unlike SurveyMonkey, Google Forms doesn’t paywall functionality or limit responses.
Let Slack do the work
Slack’s polling system makes it easy to gather feedback and capture the pulse of your team. Depending on your needs, opt for third-party polling apps integrated into Slack or choose third-party solutions that offer more features but require visiting external websites.
Besides polling apps, Slack offers a variety of integrations to level up your workflow. For instance, you can boost productivity byautomating tasks on Slack with these apps. And you can alsoturn off your Slack notificationsif you want to work in Zen mode.
