If you’re on the hunt for a knowledge management solution, Slab might already be on your radar. Known for its clean interface and writing-focused approach, it’s a popular pick for teams looking to keep documentation lightweight and collaborative. But as your team scales, or your need for smarter, more automated knowledge sharing grows, you might start looking beyond simplicity.

Let’s break down what Slab has to offer, how it stacks up against Guru, and how to decide which tool is the right fit for your team.

What is Slab?

Slab is a knowledge management platform designed to help teams write, organize, and share internal documentation. Launched in 2016, Slab was built with simplicity and collaboration in mind, aiming to make internal knowledge as easy to manage as possible—without becoming bloated or overly complex.

Its core strength lies in its editor, which emphasizes a clean, distraction-free writing experience. Slab is especially popular among startups and smaller teams that want a wiki-like tool with minimal friction and an intuitive interface. It’s often used for onboarding docs, company handbooks, product documentation, and internal wikis.

Key features of Slab knowledge base

Slab is designed to be simple on the surface, but functional under the hood. While it doesn’t have as many advanced features as some competitors, it covers the essentials well.

• Distraction-free editor: Slab’s WYSIWYG editor is designed to be as clean as possible. There’s no clutter or complex formatting to navigate, which makes it easy for anyone to start writing. The editor also supports embeds, code blocks, and markdown, making it flexible enough for a variety of content types.
• Unified search: One standout feature is Slab’s unified search, which lets you query not just Slab content, but also connected tools like Slack, Google Drive, and GitHub. This saves users time jumping between apps to find the right doc or thread.
• Topic organization: Content is grouped by “topics” rather than folders or tags, which gives teams a structured way to categorize information. Permissions can be set at the topic level to keep things secure and relevant for specific groups.
• Additional integrations: Slab connects with a solid set of tools like Slack, GitHub, G Suite, Asana, and Zapier. These integrations allow you to reference or embed content, trigger workflows, or search across platforms—all from within Slab.

Who uses Slab app?

Slab is best suited for startups, small to midsize companies, and tech-savvy teams who want a lightweight documentation tool. Product teams, engineering departments, and internal ops teams often gravitate toward Slab because of its developer-friendly features like markdown support and GitHub integration.

It’s also popular with remote-first companies looking for a central place to house team knowledge without a steep learning curve or complex setup.

Pros and cons of Slab software

Slab does a lot of things right when it comes to creating and sharing content internally. But it also has limitations—especially for larger teams or those with more advanced knowledge management needs.

Pros:

• Integration with other tools: Slab’s ability to search across platforms like Slack, Google Drive, and GitHub makes it a solid choice for teams juggling multiple tools.
• Collaboration features: Teams can collaborate in real-time on docs, leave comments, and use mentions to loop others in.
• Customization and scalability: While not as flexible as some competitors, Slab allows some customization through topics and permissions, making it manageable for growing teams.

Cons:

• Learning curve: Although simple on the surface, Slab’s navigation via topics can take some getting used to—especially for users coming from folder-based systems.
• Cost: For smaller teams or startups, Slab’s per-user pricing can add up quickly, especially if you need access to premium features like version history and analytics.
• Complexity: While the interface is intentionally minimal, it can feel too minimal at times. Users may struggle with navigation or feel limited by a lack of visual hierarchy in the UI.

Guru vs. Slab wiki

Both Slab and Guru serve the purpose of helping teams manage knowledge—but they take very different approaches. Slab leans into simplicity and writing experience, while Guru focuses on delivering trusted, contextual knowledge where your team works.

• Guru’s strengths: Guru goes beyond being a static wiki. With AI-powered search, verification workflows, and custom homepages, it actively surfaces relevant content to your team—without them needing to go search for it. Browser extensions, Slack bots, and tons of integrations make Guru feel like a natural extension of your team’s workflow. Plus, Guru’s Knowledge Agents tailor search experiences by team, ensuring the right people get the right answers fast.
• Slab’s strengths: Slab wins on simplicity. If you want a distraction-free editor and a fast way to get team documentation off the ground, Slab is great. Its unified search also helps streamline knowledge discovery across a few integrated tools, which is a nice bonus for smaller teams.
• Integration and user experience: Guru offers deeper integrations with enterprise tools like Salesforce, Zendesk, and over 50 HRIS systems. It also has smart features like answers in Slack, in-browser knowledge suggestions, and duplicate detection to improve knowledge hygiene. Slab, meanwhile, integrates with a narrower set of tools and offers more of a “go there to find it” model. If you want knowledge to come to your team—wherever they are—Guru takes the edge.

What customers are saying

Both tools have earned praise from users—but for different reasons. Here’s what actual customers have said about their experience:

Slab users appreciate its simplicity, with one reviewer noting:

"It's easy to use with a wonderfully simple interface. Very easy to teach to peers and get them contributing in no time. The ability to search Slab, Slack, and Google Drive all at once is a lifesaver. It can be a little bit difficult to visually navigate between the different topics. The interface is very minimal so it's out of the way, but not exactly beautiful."

Guru users, on the other hand, love how it drives consistent, organized knowledge sharing:

"What I liked most about Guru is its user-friendly interface and the way it streamlines the process of organizing and sharing knowledge within a team. The ability to create, update, and access knowledge articles easily makes collaboration efficient. Additionally, I appreciate how the platform encourages consistent knowledge management, ensuring that everyone on the team has access to accurate, up-to-date information when they need it."

Conclusion: Choosing the right tool for your team

If your team is focused on fast, clean documentation and doesn’t need a ton of automation or advanced integrations, Slab might be the ideal solution. Its minimal design and strong search features make it great for smaller teams or companies just starting to document their internal knowledge.

However, if your priority is easy access to trusted, verified knowledge—delivered right where your team works—Guru is a better choice. With AI-driven search, powerful integrations, and workflows designed to keep knowledge fresh and accurate, Guru helps teams stay aligned and informed without extra effort.

Ready to give Guru a try? Check out our demo and see how it can transform the way your team shares knowledge.

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