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Head-to-head · Team Chat Apps

Mattermost vs Rocket.Chat

  • 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
Rocket.Chat #5 in Team Chat Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Rocket.Chat

Mattermost leads on 0 checks, Rocket.Chat 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

Mattermost scores higher on our rubric for team chat apps: 8.9 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Mattermost is the better fit for self-hosted technical teams. Rocket.Chat is the better fit for organizations needing controlled deployments.

  • Mattermost fits best

    Self-hosted technical teams

  • Rocket.Chat fits best

    Organizations needing controlled deployments

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Side by side

Feature Mattermost 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Rocket.Chat 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.8
Ranking #4 in Team Chat Apps #5 in Team Chat Apps
Best for Self-hosted technical teams Organizations needing controlled deployments
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
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 Community, Docs
Compliance ISO 27001, GDPR SOC 2, GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 700+ integrations 5,000+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Mattermost 2/2 · Rocket.Chat 2/2
Channels ✓ ✓
Guest access ✓ ✓
Specs
Message history Unlimited Unlimited
Integrations GitHub, GitLab, Jira, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365, Outlook, ServiceNow, Zoom, Pexip, Splunk, Zapier GitHub, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Meet, Jira Cloud, Microsoft Teams, Pexip, Telegram, Trello, WhatsApp, Zapier, Zoom
Supported platforms web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API, self-hosted web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API, self-hosted
Maximum members Not checked yet 50 users
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
  • Self-hosted and air-gapped deployment options
  • Channels, threads, search, calls, guests, and file sharing
  • Role-based access, SSO, MFA, encryption, and retention policies
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
  • Commercial, Government, and Defense plans are quote-based
  • Community is self-hosted only and limited to core messaging
  • Community push notifications are capped at 10,000 per month
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 →

Rocket.Chat is an open-source communications platform for organizations that need controlled collaboration and data ownership. It brings together public and private channels, direct messages, groups, threaded discussions, searchable…

Read the review →
  1. MattermostTeam Chat Apps 8.9Free plan
  2. Rocket.ChatTeam Chat Apps 8.8Free 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

  • Rocket.Chat — where it wins

    • Self-hosted and air-gapped deployment options
    • Channels, threads, search, calls, guests, and file sharing
    • Role-based access, SSO, MFA, encryption, and retention policies

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial, Government, and Defense plans are quote-based
    • Community is self-hosted only and limited to core messaging
    • Community push notifications are capped at 10,000 per month

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