8seats
8seats: Low-cost team chat with guests, administration, file sharing, and mobile access. Ranked #25 of 30 in Secure Team Chat Software by our editors (6.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for small mobile-first teams wanting low pricing.
At a glance
- Editor score6.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSmall mobile-first teams wanting low pricing
- Free planYes
- Paid from$2.99/user/mo
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free plan includes messaging, guests, 365-day history, and 1 GB storage
- Phone-number onboarding supports teams without company email
- Tables, Rooms, tasks, broadcasts, and 8AI cover varied team communication
Where it doesn't
- Starter is limited to 10 employees and 1 GB of storage
- Integrations and SSO are not part of the documented product fit
- Security materials describe TLS 1.3 and AES-256 rather than end-to-end encryption
Our verdict on 8seats
8seats is a company-controlled team messaging platform for frontline, deskless, and distributed workforces. It combines direct and group messaging with focused conversations called Tables, broadcast-oriented Rooms, external guest access, file sharing, workspace administration, and employee offboarding. Phone-number onboarding makes it suitable for teams that do not operate through company email. Access is available on the web, iOS, and Android, with a free Starter plan and a paid Business plan.
The pricing structure is straightforward. Starter costs $0 per month and includes unlimited messaging, a workspace for up to 10 employees, unlimited guests, 365-day message history, and 1 GB of storage. Business costs $2.99 per user per month when billed monthly and adds unlimited employees, expanded storage, checklists and tasks, multi-location management, announcement broadcasts, and advanced features and controls. The published pricing also marks a yearly option as “Save 16%.” For small teams, Starter covers core communication at no cost; growing or multi-location organisations will need Business for scale and additional administration.
The product’s strongest fit is a mobile-first workforce that needs structured communication without relying on personal messaging apps. Tables and Rooms separate focused discussions from announcements, while guest access and offboarding support collaboration and staff changes. The built-in 8AI conversational assistant adds an in-product AI feature. Its documented security posture covers TLS 1.3 in transit and AES-256 at rest, while teams requiring end-to-end encryption, SSO, or integrations should consider alternatives. Choose 8seats for affordable messaging with practical team controls; look elsewhere when broader ecosystem connectivity or advanced identity requirements are central.
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8seats pricing
All 2 8seats plans and prices →
8seats fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $2.99/user/mo |
| End-to-end encryption | Not verified |
| Guest access | Yes |
| Message retention | 365 days |
| File sharing | Yes |
| Audit logs | Yes |
| SSO support | Not verified |
| Mobile apps | Both |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Docs · 24/7 |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | 8seats.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to 8seats
- ElementA flexible secure chat platform for teams that need control over deployment and data.9.4
- MattermostA broad, open-source team chat platform for technical teams that need control and integrations.9.2
- Rocket.ChatA broad, open-source team chat platform built for controlled, self-hosted collaboration.9.0
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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