Google Chat vs Mattermost: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Google Chat 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.
Bottom line: Mattermost is our overall pick for communication workflows. Pick Google Chat if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Google Chat
AI-powered chat for teams of all sizes to connect, collaborate, and get more done.
Best for you if:
- • AI-powered team messaging with Gemini for summaries, tasks, and translation.
- • Facilitates collaboration with persistent group spaces and integration with Google Workspace.
Mattermost
Open-source team collaboration platform
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Mattermost is an open-source messaging platform for secure team collaboration
- • It provides channels, threads, and integrations with self-hosting options
| At a Glance |  Google Chat |  Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $7/moGoogle Workspace | $10/moProfessional |
Best For | Communication | Communication |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Google Chat or Mattermost?
Choose Google Chat if
AI-powered chat for teams of all sizes to connect, collaborate, and get more done.
- Workspace integration
- Free with Workspace
- Spaces for teams
- Budget matters ($7/mo vs $10/mo)
Choose Mattermost if
Open-source team collaboration platform
- Open source Slack alternative
- Self-hostable
- Good for compliance
| Feature | Google Chat | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 2,375 reviews | ★4.3/5 596 reviews |
| Categories | CommunicationProductivity | CommunicationTeam Chat |
In-Depth Analysis
Google Chat
AI-powered chat for teams of all sizes to connect, collaborate, and get more done.
Strengths
- +Workspace integration
- +Free with Workspace
- +Spaces for teams
- +Meet integration
- +Good search
Weaknesses
- -Less features than Slack
- -UI not intuitive
- -App ecosystem limited
- -Bot support basic
- -Requires Workspace
Key features
Mattermost
Open-source team collaboration platform
Strengths
- +Open source Slack alternative
- +Self-hostable
- +Good for compliance
- +No per-user cloud cost
- +Customizable
Weaknesses
- -Less polished than Slack
- -Smaller integration library
- -Self-hosting required for best value
- -Learning curve
- -Community smaller
Key features
Pricing: Google Chat vs Mattermost
| Plan | Google Chat | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free (Personal) | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $7 Google Workspace | $10 Professional |
| Tier 3 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Google Chat pricing and Mattermost pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mattermost has a free tier. Google Chat is paid only.
Go with: Mattermost
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Google Chat
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Mattermost
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Google Chat is paid. Mattermost is freemium. Mattermost lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are communication tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Mattermost
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Google Chat
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (2,375 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Mattermost is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Chat or Mattermost better?
Mattermost is rated in our evaluation. Google Chat is paid and Mattermost is freemium.
What are Google Chat and Mattermost used for?
Google Chat: AI-powered chat for teams of all sizes to connect, collaborate, and get more done.. Mattermost: Open-source team collaboration platform.
What does Google Chat cost vs Mattermost?
Google Chat is a paid tool. Mattermost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.