Slack Workflows are like smart assistants that automate your daily tasks inside Slack — from collecting team updates to triggering actions in other apps. But when you start getting creative with custom steps, you’re entering the world of Premium Workflows.
🧩 What’s the Difference Between Standard and Premium Workflows?
| Workflow Type | What it Includes | Free to Use? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Only Slack’s built-in steps (e.g., send a message, ask a question) | ✅ Yes (on paid plans) |
| Premium | Includes at least one custom function (like a webhook, API call, or integration with external tools) | ✅ Limited usage |
📌 If a workflow uses a custom function, even just one, it becomes a Premium Workflow.
💡 Real-Life Use Cases
| Use Case | Standard or Premium? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Daily stand-up message in a channel | Standard | Uses built-in Slack functions only |
| Sending form data to Google Sheets via API | Premium | Uses a webhook to connect with an external service |
| Triggering a support ticket in Zendesk | Premium | Requires integration outside of Slack |
💳 How Many Premium Workflow Runs Do You Get?
Your Slack plan determines how many premium workflow runs you get each month:
| Slack Plan | Monthly Premium Workflow Runs |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Pro Plan | 1,000 runs |
| 🔵 Business+ Plan | 2,000 runs |
| 🟣 Enterprise Grid | 5,000 runs |
⚠️ Workflow Builder isn’t available on the Free Plan, so you’ll need to upgrade to use workflows.
🧠 Pro Tip
If you’re using webhooks or calling external services often, keep an eye on your usage. You can find workflow usage stats in your Slack Admin settings.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Workflows can save your team hours each week. Whether you’re running simple check-ins or advanced automations with APIs, understanding when you’re using a Premium Workflow helps you stay within limits and avoid unexpected charges.
🎬 Demo Video (Storyboard style)
How to Build a Premium Workflow in Slack Using Webhook
Steps to Show:
- Open Workflow Builder
- Choose: “From Scratch”
- Trigger: “New form submission” or “Button clicked”
- Add Step: Send a webhook request
- Paste webhook URL (Google Sheets via AppScript / Zapier / Make)
- Save and run
- Show response appearing in external service