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Open source Mattermost alternatives

Top Team Chat like Mattermost

The most popular alternative to Mattermost is Rocket.Chat, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Mattermost are Zulip and Element.

Most alternatives to Mattermost are in the Team Chat category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Mattermost alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
3 apps

All Mattermost alternatives

  1. Rocket.Chat is an open-source communications platform that can be self-hosted or used as a cloud service. Besides team channels, threads, direct messages and calls, it includes an omnichannel module that routes website chat, email and messaging apps to support agents. Its marketplace and APIs let organizations customize it heavily, and self-hosting suits teams with strict data residency needs.

    9 Rocket.Chat alternatives

    Pros

    • Omnichannel module routes website chat, email and messaging apps
    • Self-hostable open source platform for strict data residency needs
    • Marketplace and APIs allow deep customization

    Cons

    • Self-hosted setups require regular maintenance and upgrades
    • Some features are reserved for paid editions
    • The wide range of settings makes administration complex
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
  2. Zulip is an open-source team chat app whose threading model files every channel message under a named topic, so people can catch up on several discussions without losing context. It supports Markdown, code blocks and LaTeX math, and integrates with common developer tools. It can be self-hosted for free or used through Zulip Cloud, which suits open-source projects, research groups and remote teams.

    8 Zulip alternatives

    Pros

    • Topic-based threading makes catching up on discussions easy
    • Markdown, code blocks and LaTeX suit technical teams
    • Free to self-host under an open source license

    Cons

    • The topic model takes some getting used to after Slack
    • Video calls rely on external services such as Jitsi or Zoom
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
    Categories
  3. Element is a messaging app from the team that created Matrix, an open standard for decentralized, federated chat. Rooms, direct messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted, and people on different Matrix servers can talk to each other like email. Individuals can join a public server for free, while organizations and governments self-host or buy Element's enterprise server suite, with bridges to other chat networks.

    12 Element alternatives

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption by default for private rooms and messages
    • Federated Matrix network, so no single company controls your chats
    • Open source and self-hostable, popular with public sector bodies

    Cons

    • Encryption keys and device verification can confuse newcomers
    • Running your own Matrix server takes real technical effort
    • Fewer business integrations than mainstream team chat apps
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source

Mattermost vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Mattermost, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Mattermost vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsChannelsIntegrationsPlugins & extensionsSingle sign-on (SSO)Threaded conversations
MattermostFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Self-hosted
Rocket.ChatFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Self-hosted
ZulipFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Self-hosted
ElementFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Self-hosted

Mattermost alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Mattermost?

The most popular alternative to Mattermost is Rocket.Chat: Open-source chat platform for teams and customer conversations. Other great alternatives are Zulip and Element.

Is there a free alternative to Mattermost?

Yes, 3 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Rocket.Chat, Zulip, and Element.

Is there an open source alternative to Mattermost?

Yes, 3 open source alternatives are listed, including Rocket.Chat, Zulip, and Element.

Is Mattermost free?

Mattermost has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare Mattermost with its alternatives

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