Meta is ending Workplace in the first half of 2026. The tech giant says it wants to focus more on AI and metaverse solutions, which should transform the workplace.
That’s according to a memo to users, writes TechCrunch. The service will be discontinued in three phases. Starting Sept. 1, 2024, the cost of the platform will be cut in half. Then, starting August 25, 2025, it will only be possible to read posts on the platform but not add new ones. In May 2026, the plug will be pulled for good.
Meta indicates that Workplace users can migrate to partner Zoom’s Workvivo platform.
Meta does not give specific reasons for discontinuing Workplace. However, the tech giant does report that instead of keeping the business communications platform up and running, it plans to focus more on developing AI and metaverse capabilities for the workplace. Meta itself believes that these new features will soon change the workplace forever.
A previous possible spinoff of the Meta division that developed and managed Workplace into a standalone company after the pandemic would also never have caught on. Currently, Meta Workplace has about 7 million end users. However, the number of users of the tool has decreased significantly since the end of the pandemic.
Slack competitor
Meta introduced the paid Workplace in 2015. The tool is a business version of Facebook packaged in a business communication platform. This platform features the same functionality as the then-independent Slack but with a Facebook sauce.