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Head-to-head · Secure Team Chat Software

Mattermost vs eXpress

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Mattermost #2 in Secure Team Chat Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Mattermost
eXpress #6 in Secure Team Chat Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit eXpress

Mattermost leads on 0 checks, eXpress on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMattermost · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly eXpress
  • Most featureseXpress · 4 of 4

Mattermost scores higher on our rubric for secure team chat software: 9.2 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Mattermost is the better fit for technical teams needing workflows and integrations. eXpress is the better fit for enterprise teams needing encryption and governance.

  • Mattermost fits best

    Technical teams needing workflows and integrations

  • eXpress fits best

    Enterprise teams needing encryption and governance

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Mattermost 9.2/10 Visit ↗ eXpress 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.5
Ranking #2 in Secure Team Chat Software #6 in Secure Team Chat Software
Best for Technical teams needing workflows and integrations Enterprise teams needing encryption and governance
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7
Compliance ISO 27001, GDPR 2FA
Integrations 700+ integrations 70+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Mattermost 1/4 · eXpress 4/4
Guest access ✓ ✓
File sharing Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Audit logs Not checked yet ✓ (best)
SSO support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
End-to-end encryption Not checked yet Optional
Message retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile apps Not checked yet Both
Our review
Pros
  • Self-hosted deployment across web, desktop, mobile, API, and private environments
  • Workflow automation, Boards, calls, AI agents, and threaded discussions
  • Integrations with GitHub, Jira, GitLab, PagerDuty, Grafana, and Microsoft Teams
  • End-to-end encrypted chats with privacy and forwarding controls
  • On-premises or protected-cloud deployment options
  • Conferencing, recording, guest links, and enterprise integrations
Cons
  • Entry limits usage to 10,000 messages per month
  • The Professional plan has a 250-user maximum
  • Professional and Enterprise plans use contact-sales pricing
  • Paid entry pricing is presented as price on request in English
  • Advanced governance and integrations target larger organizations
  • End-to-end encryption is optional at the category level
Our verdict

Mattermost is an open-source collaboration platform for technical, operational, defense, and critical-infrastructure teams. It combines public and private channels, direct and group messaging, file sharing, link and media previews,…

Read the review →

eXpress is an enterprise communications platform for businesses, government organizations, and corporate teams. It combines personal and group chats, channels, threaded discussions, file sharing, voice calls, video conferences, chatbots,…

Read the review →
  1. MattermostSecure Team Chat Software 9.2Free plan
  2. eXpressSecure Team Chat Software 8.5Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Mattermost — where it wins

    • Self-hosted deployment across web, desktop, mobile, API, and private environments
    • Workflow automation, Boards, calls, AI agents, and threaded discussions
    • Integrations with GitHub, Jira, GitLab, PagerDuty, Grafana, and Microsoft Teams

    Where it doesn't

    • Entry limits usage to 10,000 messages per month
    • The Professional plan has a 250-user maximum
    • Professional and Enterprise plans use contact-sales pricing

  • eXpress — where it wins

    • End-to-end encrypted chats with privacy and forwarding controls
    • On-premises or protected-cloud deployment options
    • Conferencing, recording, guest links, and enterprise integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid entry pricing is presented as price on request in English
    • Advanced governance and integrations target larger organizations
    • End-to-end encryption is optional at the category level
  • Mattermost9.2/10 · Free plan

    A broad, open-source team chat platform for technical teams that need control and integrations.

    Visit MattermostFull verdict →
  • eXpress8.5/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A broad enterprise chat suite with encryption, governance, conferencing, and deployment choice.

    Visit eXpressFull verdict →

More comparisons

All secure team chat software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update