Forum vs Rocket.Chat: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Forum and Rocket.Chat 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.
Rocket.Chat
Open-source team communication platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need team chat features specifically
- • Rocket.Chat is an open-source team collaboration platform
- • It provides messaging, video calls, and integrations with self-hosting option
| At a Glance |  Forum |  Rocket.Chat |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Community Platforms | Team Chat |
Rating | —/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Forum | Rocket.Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 90 | 0 |
| Categories | Community PlatformsForum Software | Team ChatVideo Conferencing |
How Forum and Rocket.Chat Compare
Forum
Connect, collaborate, and grow your community with a powerful forum platform.
Paid
Rocket.Chat
Open-source team communication platform
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Forum is a community platforms tool. Rocket.Chat is in team chat.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Rocket.Chat has a free tier. Forum is paid only.
Go with: Rocket.Chat
Want the highest-rated option?
Rocket.Chat scores 82/100. Forum is unrated.
Go with: Rocket.Chat
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Rocket.Chat
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Forum is paid. Rocket.Chat is freemium. Rocket.Chat lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Forum is a community platforms tool. Rocket.Chat is in team chat. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Rocket.Chat
- Higher score: 82/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Forum
- More community upvotes (90)
- Better fit for community platforms
The Bottom Line
Rocket.Chat (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forum or Rocket.Chat better?
Rocket.Chat scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Forum is paid and Rocket.Chat is freemium.
What are Forum and Rocket.Chat used for?
Forum: Connect, collaborate, and grow your community with a powerful forum platform.. Rocket.Chat: Open-source team communication platform.
What does Forum cost vs Rocket.Chat?
Forum is a paid tool. Rocket.Chat is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.