Open source 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. 

   

   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
3. 

   

   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
4. 

   

   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