When comparing Campfire vs Flowdock, the Slant community recommends Flowdock for most people. In the question“What is the best team chat software?” Flowdock is ranked 4th while Campfire is ranked 30th. The most important reason people chose Flowdock is:
An easy & simple interface to filter chat discussion into separate threads.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Supports optional 128-bit SSL encryption
Pro Guest access
You can invite people to join conversations even if they don't have a Campfire account. Campfire will generate a link to share and the guest will only need to enter their name to join the conversation.
Pro Easy conferencing
When you need to make a conference call, all you need to click is "Start A New Call" and Campfire instantly embeds a phone number and password code in the message thread.
Pro Mobile apps
Campfire supports only iOS, but third party apps can be used for Android. There are also other third party apps that build upon Campfire and extend its functionality.
Pro Embeds images
Images that are uploaded in the GIF, PNG, or JPEG formats are represented as thumbnails in the chat room.
Pro Threaded discussions
An easy & simple interface to filter chat discussion into separate threads.
Pro Drag and drop file sharing
Files can be dragged and dropped in to the flow dock screen for upload.
Pro Multi-platform
Browser Based, as well as:
- iPhone and iPad App
- Android App
- Mac OS X App
Pro Stored chat history
Content and discussions are stored forever.
Pro Smart pastes & code syntax highlighting
Pro Private chat option
Able to speak privately/talk head-to-head.
Pro Notification system
A specific user or everyone in the channel can be notified via @user or @everyone respectively.
Pro A full developer API
Flowdock API allows developers the freedom to create custom integrations.
Pro Create and assign PRs from Flowdock
You can interact with Github directly from Flowdock to create PRs.
Pro Free for teams of five, non-profits and students
Pro Data exports
Back up conversations and files fully at any time.
Pro Add Tools
On top of our 50+ custom integrations, easily integrate any tool that sends emails or generates RSS feeds, as well as having the option to build a custom integration with Flowdock's API
Pro Status updating
Allows co-workers to know what you’re up to "/status I'm busy today!"
Pro Google Apps Integration
Google Apps get a Flowdock link to the Apps tool-bar and won't have to separately manage users
Pro Typo Fix-ups
Pro Able to host users external to your team
When working with stakeholders (clients or partners) you can add organizations to manage internal privacy
Cons
Con Future of Campfire is uncertain
37signals have "changed direction" away from Campfire, focusing on Basecamp. They've ruled out shutting it down, but at this stage it's uncertain whether it'll be spun off as a separate company, sold off, or run in maintenance mode without any new features.
Con No private one-on-one conversation possibility
Con Does not show who's online
Con Proprietary (non-free/libre)
Con No self-hosting available
If you are worried about third-parties getting access to your data you should consider self-hosting. With self-hosting you are in control over where your data is stored, who has access to it. You will also not be vulnerable to exploits of a third-party provider.
Con Buggy android app
Google sign up didn't work, then after going to the website to do the sign up, the invite team members screen was broken.
Con Free only for small teams, non-profits or students
Unless it's used by a team of less than five people, a non-profit or students, Flowdock will cost $3/mo per person.