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Head-to-head · Team Chat Apps

Mattermost vs Lark

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Mattermost #4 in Team Chat Apps 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Mattermost
Lark #7 in Team Chat Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Lark

Mattermost leads on 0 checks, Lark on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMattermost · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMattermost · 2 of 2

Mattermost scores higher on our rubric for team chat apps: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

On message history, Mattermost gives you Unlimited where Lark offers Limited.

Mattermost is the better fit for self-hosted technical teams. Lark is the better fit for teams needing an all-in-one workspace.

  • Mattermost fits best

    Self-hosted technical teams

  • Lark fits best

    Teams needing an all-in-one workspace

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 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Lark 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.6
Ranking #4 in Team Chat Apps #7 in Team Chat Apps
Best for Self-hosted technical teams Teams needing an all-in-one workspace
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Docs
Compliance ISO 27001, GDPR SOC 2
Integrations 700+ integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Mattermost 2/2 · Lark 1/2
Channels ✓ ✓
Guest access ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Message history Unlimited Limited
Integrations GitHub, GitLab, Jira, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365, Outlook, ServiceNow, Zoom, Pexip, Splunk, Zapier Exchange, Outlook, Google Calendar, Gmail, AnyCross, Lark Developer, Lark Base
Supported platforms web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API, self-hosted web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Maximum members Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Self-hosting supports on-premises, private-cloud, and air-gapped deployments
  • Combines messaging, calls, boards, automation, APIs, and AI agents
  • Integrates with GitLab, GitHub, Jira, Jenkins, and Microsoft Teams
  • Combines chat, meetings, documents, calendars, tasks, and approvals
  • Supports web, desktop, and mobile platforms, including Linux
  • Includes translation, automation, APIs, and app integrations
Cons
  • Entry limits message history to 10,000 messages
  • Paid Professional and Enterprise plans require sales contact
  • Advanced capabilities are concentrated in higher-tier plans
  • Starter is limited to 20 users and 18 months of message history
  • Paid plans are billed annually at their listed per-user rates
  • Advanced security and compliance controls are limited to Enterprise
Our verdict

Mattermost is an open-source collaboration platform for technical, operational, defense, and critical-infrastructure teams. It brings public and private channels, direct and group messaging, file sharing, threaded discussions, search,…

Read the review →

Lark brings team messaging, video meetings, email, calendars, documents, cloud storage, approvals, knowledge management, and no-code workflows into one workspace. Its chat features include group conversations, threaded discussions, chat…

Read the review →
  1. MattermostTeam Chat Apps 8.9Free plan
  2. LarkTeam Chat Apps 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Mattermost — where it wins

    • Self-hosting supports on-premises, private-cloud, and air-gapped deployments
    • Combines messaging, calls, boards, automation, APIs, and AI agents
    • Integrates with GitLab, GitHub, Jira, Jenkins, and Microsoft Teams

    Where it doesn't

    • Entry limits message history to 10,000 messages
    • Paid Professional and Enterprise plans require sales contact
    • Advanced capabilities are concentrated in higher-tier plans

  • Lark — where it wins

    • Combines chat, meetings, documents, calendars, tasks, and approvals
    • Supports web, desktop, and mobile platforms, including Linux
    • Includes translation, automation, APIs, and app integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter is limited to 20 users and 18 months of message history
    • Paid plans are billed annually at their listed per-user rates
    • Advanced security and compliance controls are limited to Enterprise

More comparisons

All team chat apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update