Microsoft Teams has introduced a free version, which is more generous than Slack's free version in many ways. However, getting started with the free version can be confusing due to its complexity and assumption that users are part of an existing Microsoft 365 organization. The app requires users to create a new organization from scratch, invite people, and manage their roles within it. The free version has limitations such as limited storage, no collaboration using desktop Office apps, and no scheduling or recording capabilities for meetings. In contrast, Slack's free version is more straightforward to set up, but Microsoft Teams offers more features in its free version, including unlimited archive access, guest access, and group calls. Additionally, Zapier can be used to automate tasks with Microsoft Teams by connecting it to other apps and creating custom automations called Zaps.