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Alternatives to Slack
Compare these options for your workflow. Free plans, licensing, hosting costs and feature limits differ; check the official product pages before switching.
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The Alternatives
MattermostOpen-Source · Self-hosted
Open-source team chat you self-host — no message limits, full control.
Visit Mattermost →Element (Matrix)Open-Source · Web
Decentralized, encrypted chat on the open Matrix network.
Visit Element (Matrix) →ZulipOpen-Source · Self-hosted
Threaded team chat that makes large conversations actually readable.
Visit Zulip →Quick Comparison
| Alternative | Type |
|---|---|
| Mattermost | Open-Source · Self-hosted |
| Element (Matrix) | Open-Source · Web |
| Zulip | Open-Source · Self-hosted |
Before you switch: Test a copy of a real project, check import and export support, and confirm current licensing and any hosting or optional service costs on the official website.
How should I compare these alternatives?
Start with your essential tasks. Check device support, collaboration, offline access and the ability to export your work. A similar feature list does not guarantee the same workflow.
Does free software have ongoing costs?
It can. Hosting, storage, optional synchronization, support and team features may cost extra. Review the official license and plan details before adopting a product.