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Head-to-head · Team Chat Apps

Zulip vs Flock

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Zulip #6 in Team Chat Apps 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Zulip
Flock #8 in Team Chat Apps 8.5/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Flock

Zulip leads on 0 checks, Flock 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 scoreZulip · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Flock

Zulip scores higher on our rubric for team chat apps: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

Zulip is the better fit for teams that prefer topic-based discussions. Flock is the better fit for teams wanting free chat plus work tools.

  • Zulip fits best

    Teams that prefer topic-based discussions

  • Flock fits best

    Teams wanting free chat plus work tools

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Side by side

Feature Zulip 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Flock 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.5
Ranking #6 in Team Chat Apps #8 in Team Chat Apps
Best for Teams that prefer topic-based discussions Teams wanting free chat plus work tools
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $3.50/user/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Compliance GDPR, SSO/SAML SOC 2, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 130+ integrations 60+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Zulip 2/2 · Flock 2/2
Channels ✓ ✓
Guest access ✓ ✓
Specs
Message history Limited Limited
Integrations GitHub, GitLab, Jira, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Calendar, Zoom, Jitsi Meet, Zapier, IFTTT, Sentry, Zendesk Google Drive, Google Calendar, GitHub, Trello, Dropbox, Twitter, Bitbucket, Asana, Jira, Zapier, Zoom, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Todoist, GitLab, Zendesk, Freshdesk, OneDrive, Mailchimp
Supported platforms web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, API
Maximum members Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Topic-based threads keep discussions organized and searchable
  • 130+ native integrations plus API, webhooks, Zapier and IFTTT
  • Cloud and self-hosted options support varied deployment needs
  • Free Starter plan includes channels, calls, search, files, and task tools
  • Works across web, desktop, mobile, and Chrome extension
  • Integrates with Trello, Asana, GitHub, Drive, Jira, and more
Cons
  • Cloud Free limits searchable history to 10,000 messages
  • Cloud Plus requires a 10-user minimum
  • Self-hosted Free has limited mobile notifications for some organizations
  • Starter limits searchable history to 10,000 messages
  • Starter includes 10 public channels and 5 GB per team
  • Guests are charged at the member rate after 90 days
Our verdict

Zulip is an open-source team chat application for organizations ranging from small teams to thousands of users. Its central design is topic-based threading inside channels, which supports both real-time and asynchronous communication.…

Read the review →

Flock combines direct messaging, group conversations, public and private channels, guest access, calling, file sharing, and searchable workspace content in one team communication application. It is aimed at organizations that want chat…

Read the review →
  1. ZulipTeam Chat Apps 8.7Free plan
  2. FlockTeam Chat Apps 8.5Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Zulip — where it wins

    • Topic-based threads keep discussions organized and searchable
    • 130+ native integrations plus API, webhooks, Zapier and IFTTT
    • Cloud and self-hosted options support varied deployment needs

    Where it doesn't

    • Cloud Free limits searchable history to 10,000 messages
    • Cloud Plus requires a 10-user minimum
    • Self-hosted Free has limited mobile notifications for some organizations

  • Flock — where it wins

    • Free Starter plan includes channels, calls, search, files, and task tools
    • Works across web, desktop, mobile, and Chrome extension
    • Integrates with Trello, Asana, GitHub, Drive, Jira, and more

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter limits searchable history to 10,000 messages
    • Starter includes 10 public channels and 5 GB per team
    • Guests are charged at the member rate after 90 days
  • Zulip8.7/10 · Free plan

    A flexible, topic-focused team chat with cloud and self-hosted plans.

    Visit ZulipFull verdict →
  • Flock8.5/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A broad team chat workspace with a capable free Starter plan and useful work tools.

    Visit FlockFull verdict →

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