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Mattermost
Open-source, self-hosted team messaging platform for organizations that need data sovereignty.
Overview
Mattermost is an open-source Slack alternative that you can self-host. It's popular with organizations that need full control over their data — government, healthcare, finance, and security-conscious startups.
Strengths
- Self-hosted — full control over your data
- Open source with active community
- Slack-compatible interface, easy migration
- Strong compliance and security features
Weaknesses
- Requires server management if self-hosting
- Smaller integration ecosystem than Slack
- Cloud-hosted version is more expensive than Slack
- Mobile apps lag behind Slack and Teams in polish
Quick info
- Category
- Team Communication
- Starting price
- Free (self-hosted)
- Free tier
- Fully free
- Open source
- Yes
- Best for
- Mid-size teams
- Founded
- 2015
Last updated 2026-04-12
Top alternatives to Mattermost
1
Slack
Free tier
Team messaging platform with channels, threads, and integrations for workplace communication.
2
Open-source communication platform with team chat, video, and omnichannel customer engagement.
3
Decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messaging built on the Matrix protocol.
Mattermost comparisons
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Slack vs Mattermost
Mattermost is the free option; Slack charges $7.25/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
vs
Microsoft Teams vs Mattermost
Mattermost is the free option; Microsoft Teams charges $4/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
vs
Discord vs Mattermost
Mattermost gives you open source and self-hosting; Discord is a managed service. Which trade-off works for you?
vs
Mattermost vs Rocket.Chat
Mattermost is built for teams that need self-hosted, privacy-first messaging. Rocket.Chat is built for teams that want self-hosted chat with customer-facing features. Pick the one that fits.
vs
Mattermost vs Element
Mattermost is built for teams that need self-hosted, privacy-first messaging. Element is built for privacy-focused teams and cross-organization communication. Pick the one that fits.
vs
Mattermost vs Google Chat
Mattermost is the free option; Google Chat charges $6/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
More Team Communication tools
Slack
Team messaging platform with channels, threads, and integrations for workplace communication.
Microsoft Teams
All-in-one communication platform with chat, video meetings, and Office 365 integration.
Discord
Voice, video, and text communication platform originally built for gaming, now used by communities and teams.
Rocket.Chat
Open-source communication platform with team chat, video, and omnichannel customer engagement.
Element
Decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messaging built on the Matrix protocol.
Google Chat
Team messaging built into Google Workspace with Spaces, threads, and deep Google app integration.
Stay sharp
New team communication tools, price changes, and honest takes — weekly.