Forum vs Mattermost: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Forum and Mattermost comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Forum
Connect, collaborate, and grow your community with a powerful forum platform.
Best for you if:
- • You need community platforms features specifically
- • Platform for creating and managing online forums.
- • Facilitates community discussions and information exchange.
Mattermost
Open-source team collaboration platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need team chat features specifically
- • Mattermost is an open-source messaging platform for secure team collaboration
- • It provides channels, threads, and integrations with self-hosting options
| At a Glance |  Forum |  Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Community Platforms | Team Chat |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Forum | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 90 | 0 |
| Categories | Community PlatformsForum Software | Team ChatScreen Sharing |
How Forum and Mattermost Compare
Forum
Connect, collaborate, and grow your community with a powerful forum platform.
Paid
Mattermost
Open-source team collaboration platform
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Forum is a community platforms tool. Mattermost is in team chat.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mattermost has a free tier. Forum is paid only.
Go with: Mattermost
Want the highest-rated option?
Mattermost scores 84/100. Forum is unrated.
Go with: Mattermost
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Mattermost
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Forum is paid. Mattermost is freemium. Mattermost lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Forum is a community platforms tool. Mattermost is in team chat. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Mattermost
- Higher score: 84/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Forum
- More community upvotes (90)
- Better fit for community platforms
The Bottom Line
Mattermost (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forum or Mattermost better?
Mattermost scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Forum is paid and Mattermost is freemium.
What are Forum and Mattermost used for?
Forum: Connect, collaborate, and grow your community with a powerful forum platform.. Mattermost: Open-source team collaboration platform.
What does Forum cost vs Mattermost?
Forum is a paid tool. Mattermost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.