# Trying out Zulip

You can start by reading about how [Zulip’s](/hello/) unique
topic-based threading [combines the best of email and
chat](/why-zulip/) to make [remote work](https://zulip.com/for/business/) productive
and delightful.

It's also easy to try out Zulip for yourself.

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1. **Check out the Zulip app**. You can:

    - [View the Zulip development community](https://chat.zulip.org/?show_try_zulip_modal),
      where hundreds of participants collaborate to improve Zulip. Many parts of
      the community are open for [public access](/help/public-access-option), so
      you can start exploring without creating an account.
    - [See how Zulip is being used](https://zulip.com/communities/) in open
      organizations that have opted in to be listed in the [Zulip communities
      directory](/help/communities-directory).

1. [Create a Zulip Cloud organization](https://zulip.com/new/) for free in just
   a few minutes. This is a great way to explore Zulip even if you plan to
   [self-host](https://zulip.com/self-hosting/).

1. [Invite your teammates](/help/invite-users-to-join) to explore Zulip with you.
   They will have a variety of perspectives on what's important in a chat app.

1. **Run a week-long Zulip trial** with your team, without using any other chat tools. This
   is the only way to truly experience how a new chat app will help your team
   communicate. You can:

    - Customize [organization settings](/help/customize-organization-settings)
      and [settings for new users](/help/customize-settings-for-new-users), but
      plan to adjust the details as you go.
    - [Create](/help/create-channels) your initial
      [channels](/help/introduction-to-channels), including a dedicated channel for
      questions and feedback about using Zulip.
    - Educate others about how to use Zulip's [topics](/help/introduction-to-topics),
      and how to [move](/help/move-content-to-another-topic) any messages that
      belong elsewhere.
    - [Set up integrations](/help/set-up-integrations) so that your team can
      experience all their regular workflows inside the Zulip app.

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## Related articles

* [Getting started with Zulip](/help/getting-started-with-zulip)
* [Moving to Zulip](/help/moving-to-zulip)
* [Zulip Cloud or self-hosting?](/help/zulip-cloud-or-self-hosting)
* [Migrating from other chat tools](/help/migrating-from-other-chat-tools)
* [Introduction to topics](/help/introduction-to-topics)
