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Head-to-head · Team Collaboration Software

Basecamp vs Rocket.Chat

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Basecamp #3 in Team Collaboration Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Basecamp
Rocket.Chat #8 in Team Collaboration Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Rocket.Chat

Basecamp leads on 0 checks, Rocket.Chat on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBasecamp · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

Basecamp scores higher on our rubric for team collaboration software: 9.2 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Basecamp is the better fit for teams coordinating projects and client work. Rocket.Chat is the better fit for teams needing flexible self-hosted or cloud chat.

  • Basecamp fits best

    Teams coordinating projects and client work

  • Rocket.Chat fits best

    Teams needing flexible self-hosted or cloud chat

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Side by side

Feature Basecamp 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Rocket.Chat 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.7
Ranking #3 in Team Collaboration Software #8 in Team Collaboration Software
Best for Teams coordinating projects and client work Teams needing flexible self-hosted or cloud chat
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $25/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Email, Docs · 24/7 Community, Docs
Compliance PCI DSS SOC 2, GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 8 integrations 5,000+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Basecamp 1/2 · Rocket.Chat 1/2
Guest access ✓ ✓
Mobile apps Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Message history Not checked yet Unlimited
File storage Not checked yet Not checked yet
App integrations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Admin controls Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines tasks, boards, chat, calendars, files, reports, and time tracking
  • Client mode lets teams configure what clients can see
  • Free plan includes one project, time tracking, and project templates
  • Channels, threads, direct messages, and searchable message history
  • Deployment options include cloud, self-hosted, and air-gapped environments
  • Desktop and mobile apps, plus integrations with tools such as Jira and Zoom
Cons
  • Free plan is limited to one project
  • Paid plans start at $25 per month with annual billing
  • Automation rules are not included
  • Starter is limited to 50 users
  • Messaging is the clearest focus of the published feature set
  • Commercial, Government, and Defense plans have no public numeric prices
Our verdict

Basecamp brings project work into shared workspaces, combining to-do lists, Card Tables, message boards, chat, calendars, Docs & Files, reports, recurring check-ins, and time tracking. Its client mode lets teams configure client…

Read the review →

Rocket.Chat is an open-source communications platform for teams that need channels, direct and group messaging, threaded discussions, file sharing, and searchable conversations. It is aimed at organizations that want to choose between…

Read the review →
  1. BasecampTeam Collaboration Software 9.2Free plan
  2. Rocket.ChatTeam Collaboration Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Basecamp — where it wins

    • Combines tasks, boards, chat, calendars, files, reports, and time tracking
    • Client mode lets teams configure what clients can see
    • Free plan includes one project, time tracking, and project templates

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to one project
    • Paid plans start at $25 per month with annual billing
    • Automation rules are not included

  • Rocket.Chat — where it wins

    • Channels, threads, direct messages, and searchable message history
    • Deployment options include cloud, self-hosted, and air-gapped environments
    • Desktop and mobile apps, plus integrations with tools such as Jira and Zoom

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter is limited to 50 users
    • Messaging is the clearest focus of the published feature set
    • Commercial, Government, and Defense plans have no public numeric prices

More comparisons

All team collaboration software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update