Free Rocket.Chat alternatives

All Rocket.Chat alternatives

1. 

   

   Mattermost

   4.8(5.6K) · App StoreLike

   Mattermost is an open-source collaboration platform offering channels, threads, calls and playbooks for structured workflows. Organizations can run it on their own servers or in a private cloud to keep full control of their data, which appeals to engineering teams, public agencies and regulated industries. Plugins, webhooks and an API connect it to DevOps tools like GitLab, Jira and Jenkins.

   8 Mattermost alternatives

   Pros

   • Self-hosting keeps full control over data and infrastructure
   • Strong DevOps integrations with GitLab, Jira and Jenkins
   • Playbooks structure incident response and repeatable workflows

   Cons

   • Self-hosted deployments need ongoing admin work
   • Smaller app ecosystem than Slack
   • Advanced compliance and enterprise features require paid plans

   Cost / License

   FreemiumOpen source

   Categories

   Team Chat

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroidSelf-hosted

   Features

   ChannelsIntegrationsPlugins & extensionsSingle sign-on (SSO)Threaded conversationsVoice and video calls

   Visit websiteMore about Mattermost
2. 

   

   Slack

   4.1(53.5K) · App StoreLike

   Slack is a workplace messaging app that organizes conversations into channels by team, project or topic, with threads, direct messages and huddles for quick audio or video calls. A large app directory and an open API connect it to most business tools, and Slack Connect lets companies share channels with clients and partners. AI summaries and search are available on paid plans.

   9 Slack alternatives

   Pros

   • Huge app directory connects to almost any business tool
   • Slack Connect shares channels with clients and partners
   • Huddles make quick audio and video calls effortless

   Cons

   • Free plan hides older message history
   • Paid plans get costly for large teams
   • Constant notifications can hurt focus

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Team Chat

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid

   Features

   AI assistantAPI accessChannelsIntegrationsThreaded conversationsVoice and video calls

   Visit websiteMore about Slack
3. 

   

   Element

   3.3(590) · App StoreLike

   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

   Categories

   Team ChatMessaging Apps

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroidSelf-hosted

   Features

   ChannelsEnd-to-end encryptionNo phone number requiredThreaded conversationsVoice and video calls

   Visit websiteMore about Element
4. 

   

   Zulip

   26KstarsLike

   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

   Team Chat

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroidSelf-hosted

   Features

   API accessChannelsIntegrationsMarkdown supportThreaded conversations

   Visit websiteMore about Zulip
5. 

   

   Microsoft Teams

   4.8(3.4M) · App StoreLike

   Microsoft Teams combines persistent team chat, channels, video meetings, webinars and calling in one app tied to Microsoft 365. Files live in SharePoint and OneDrive and can be co-edited in Word, Excel or PowerPoint without leaving the conversation. It suits organizations already standardized on Microsoft 365, and Copilot adds meeting recaps and chat summaries on eligible licenses.

   12 Microsoft Teams alternatives

   Pros

   • Chat, meetings and calls in one app tied to Microsoft 365
   • Co-edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files without leaving a conversation
   • Enterprise-grade admin, security and compliance controls

   Cons

   • Can feel heavy and slow, especially on older machines
   • Channels, chats and files can be confusing to navigate
   • Less appealing outside a Microsoft 365 environment

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Team ChatVideo Conferencing

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid

   Features

   AI assistantChannelsIntegrationsMeeting recordingScreen sharingVoice and video calls

   Visit websiteMore about Microsoft Teams
6. 

   

   Discord

   4.7(3.6M) · App StoreLike

   Discord is a chat platform built around servers, each with its own text channels, voice channels and roles. It started with gamers but now hosts communities of every kind, from open-source projects to study groups, with drop-in voice rooms, screen sharing, threads and forums. Bots extend servers, and an optional Nitro subscription adds perks such as larger uploads and higher-quality streaming.

   11 Discord alternatives

   Pros

   • Drop-in voice channels make spontaneous conversations easy
   • Roles, bots and permissions scale to very large communities
   • Generous free tier across desktop, mobile and the web

   Cons

   • Not designed for workplace compliance or admin controls
   • Busy servers and notifications can quickly feel overwhelming
   • Text messages are not end-to-end encrypted

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Team ChatMessaging Apps

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid

   Features

   API accessChannelsGroup chatsScreen sharingThreaded conversationsVoice and video calls

   Visit websiteMore about Discord
7. 

   

   Chatwoot

   37.7KstarsLike

   Chatwoot is an open-source customer engagement platform positioned as an alternative to Intercom and Zendesk. It unifies website live chat, email, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and SMS in one shared inbox, with a help center, canned responses, automation rules and an AI assistant called Captain. Teams can self-host it for free or use the paid cloud version.

   11 Chatwoot alternatives

   Pros

   • Open source and free to self-host, keeping conversations on your servers
   • One inbox for chat, email, WhatsApp, social channels and SMS
   • Includes a help center, canned responses and automation rules

   Cons

   • Self-hosting requires maintaining the server, updates and integrations
   • Reporting and workflows are less deep than in Zendesk or Intercom

   Cost / License

   FreemiumOpen source

   Categories

   Customer Support & Live Chat

   Platforms

   WebiPhoneAndroidSelf-hosted

   Features

   AI chatbotAPI accessKnowledge baseLive chat widgetShared inboxUnified social inbox

   Visit websiteMore about Chatwoot
8. 

   

   Chanty

   4.5(135) · App StoreLike

   Chanty is a team messaging app aimed at small and mid-sized teams who want something simpler than larger chat suites. It offers public and private conversations, audio and video calls with screen sharing, and a built-in task manager with a Kanban board, so messages can be turned into tasks. A free plan covers small teams, and integrations connect it to common workplace tools.

   8 Chanty alternatives

   Pros

   • Simple interface that small teams pick up quickly
   • Built-in Kanban task board turns messages into tasks
   • Free plan is enough to get a small team started

   Cons

   • Smaller integration catalog than Slack or Microsoft Teams
   • Task management is basic compared with dedicated tools

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Team Chat

   Platforms

   WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid

   Features

   ChannelsIntegrationsKanban boardsScreen sharingVoice and video calls

   Visit websiteMore about Chanty
9. 

   

   Google Chat

   4.6(306.5K) · App StoreLike

   Google Chat is Google's messaging app for direct messages, group conversations and spaces, the shared rooms where teams discuss projects in threads. It sits next to Gmail and works closely with Drive, Docs and Meet, so files and meetings can be shared without switching apps. It is free with a personal Google account, while companies get admin controls and Gemini features through Google Workspace.

   8 Google Chat alternatives

   Pros

   • Built into Gmail, so Workspace users need no extra app
   • Works closely with Drive, Docs and Meet for files and calls
   • Free to use with a personal Google account

   Cons

   • Fewer third-party integrations and bots than Slack
   • Little appeal outside the Google Workspace ecosystem

   Cost / License

   FreemiumProprietary

   Categories

   Team Chat

   Platforms

   WebiPhoneAndroid

   Features

   AI assistantChannelsIntegrationsTeam collaborationThreaded conversations

   Visit websiteMore about Google Chat