The present invention discloses a group based communication method, including: initiating, by a communication initiating client, a connection request containing a recipient identifier to a backstage server; forwarding, by the backstage server, the connection request to a communication recipient client corresponding to the recipient identifier; and establishing, by the communication recipient client, a short connection channel or long connection channel to the communication initiating client according to a type of the connection request and performing a communication supported by the short connection channel or the long connection channel with the communication initiating client. The present invention also discloses a group based communication system and client. The method, system and client provided by the present invention brings out much richer communication and interaction between communicating users, who not only can transmit text data, but also can transmit file and audio/video data.