Mattermost vs Discord: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Mattermost and Discord 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: Discord is our overall pick for communication workflows. Pick Mattermost if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Mattermost
Open-source team collaboration platform
Best for you if:
- • Mattermost is an open-source messaging platform for secure team collaboration
- • It provides channels, threads, and integrations with self-hosting options
Discord
Your place to talk and hang out
Best for you if:
- • Community communication platform
- • Voice, video, and text
| At a Glance |  Mattermost |  Discord |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Communication | Communication |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
Choose Mattermost or Discord?
Choose Mattermost if
Open-source team collaboration platform
- Open source Slack alternative
- Self-hostable
- Good for compliance
Choose Discord if
Your place to talk and hang out
- Completely free for most features
- Excellent voice quality and low latency
- Highly customizable with bots
| Feature | Mattermost | Discord |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 596 reviews | ★4.4/5 1,730 reviews |
| Categories | CommunicationTeam Chat | CommunicationCommunity Platforms |
In-Depth Analysis
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
Discord
Your place to talk and hang out
Strengths
- +Completely free for most features
- +Excellent voice quality and low latency
- +Highly customizable with bots
- +Strong community building tools
- +Cross-platform availability
Weaknesses
- -Can be overwhelming for new users
- -Nitro subscription needed for some features
- -Privacy concerns with data collection
- -Server moderation can be challenging
- -Not ideal for formal business communication
Key features
Pricing: Mattermost vs Discord
| Plan | Mattermost | Discord |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $10 Professional | 2.99/month Nitro Basic |
| Tier 3 | Custom Enterprise | 9.99/month Nitro |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Mattermost pricing and Discord pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Mattermost
Want the highest-rated option?
Mattermost: 4.3/5 (596 reviews). Discord: 4.4/5 (1,730 reviews).
Go with: Discord
Value user reviews?
Mattermost: 596 reviews (4.3/5). Discord: 1,730 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Discord
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are communication tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Discord is rated higher: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Discord
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (1,730 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Mattermost
- Choose if you want open-source team collaboration platform
The Bottom Line
Discord is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mattermost or Discord better?
Discord is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Mattermost and Discord used for?
Mattermost: Open-source team collaboration platform. Discord: Your place to talk and hang out.
What does Mattermost cost vs Discord?
Mattermost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Discord is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.