---
title: 'Channels for Group Communication | Cosmos Video'
description: 'Public and private channels in Cosmos Video for remote teams and online classes to organize conversations by topic, share files, and message from mobile.'
url: '/product/features/channels-for-group-communication.md'
lastModified: '2026-04-21'
contentType: 'Feature Page'
keywords: ['team-channels', 'group-chat', 'public-channels', 'private-channels', 'remote-team-communication', 'classroom-chat', 'topic-based-messaging']
target_audience: 'remote team leads, online educators, community managers, distributed engineering teams, student group organizers'
---

# Channels for Group Communication in Cosmos Video

Cosmos Video channels are persistent text-based group conversations that live alongside the spatial video workspace. Teams and classes use public channels for open discussion visible to all members including guests, and private channels with restricted membership for focused or confidential topics. Each channel keeps conversation organized by team or subject and supports file sharing with inline previews across desktop and mobile.

## What Makes Cosmos Video Channels Different from Standalone Chat Tools?

Channels sit inside the same workspace where teammates already gather for video and spatial presence, so a text conversation can become a live call in one click. Instead of switching between Slack for chat and Zoom for meetings, members post in a channel, see who is online in the office at the same time, and jump into a room together when a thread needs real-time discussion.

Cosmos Video pairs channels with availability statuses, direct messages, threads, and file previews inside one product. That removes the "which tab was that in" problem that teams running separate chat, meeting, and office tools commonly face.

## How Are Public and Private Channels Used?

Public channels are visible to every workspace member including invited guests, making them a fit for company-wide announcements, class discussions, community Q&A, and project updates that benefit from broad visibility. Anyone in the space can discover and join the conversation.

Private channels restrict membership to invited participants. Teams use them for leadership syncs, sensitive projects, HR matters, or small working groups that need to keep discussion contained. Members outside the private channel cannot see it in the channel list.

## Channels vs Standalone Chat Tools

| Capability | Cosmos Video Channels | Slack / Discord | Email Threads |
|------------|-----------------------|-----------------|----------------|
| Public and private channel types | Yes | Yes | No |
| Linked to live video workspace | Yes, one click to room | No, external meeting tool needed | No |
| Presence awareness alongside chat | Yes, four-state statuses | Limited status text | No |
| Mobile app with channel access | Yes, iOS and Android | Yes | Yes |
| File sharing with previews | Yes | Yes | Attachments only |
| Guest access to public channels | Yes | Yes with workspace guest seats | Yes |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can guests see public channels in Cosmos Video?

Yes. Public channels are visible to all workspace members, and that includes guests invited into the space. This makes public channels useful for shared client projects, external collaborators, or students who join a class space without a full account.

### How are private channels different from direct messages?

Private channels support group conversations among a defined set of members and persist as a named space in the channel list. Direct messages are one-to-one or small ad-hoc conversations. Use private channels for ongoing team work and direct messages for quick individual exchanges.

### Can I share files inside a channel?

Yes. Channels support file sharing with inline previews so members can scan attachments without downloading. File upload limits vary by plan, with details listed on the Cosmos Video pricing page.

### Do channels work on mobile?

Yes. The Cosmos Video mobile app gives full access to public and private channels, including message posting, file viewing, and notifications, so team members can stay in the conversation while away from their desk.

### How do channels connect to the video workspace?

Channels live inside the same Cosmos Video space where members have rooms and availability statuses. A text thread can escalate to a live conversation by joining the relevant room, removing the friction of scheduling a separate meeting.