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 wins this matchup. Microsoft Teams is our overall Team Chat pick. Microsoft Teams is our free Team Chat pick. 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:
- • You want open source Slack alternative
- • You want self-hostable
Discord
Your place to talk and hang out
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free for most features
- • You want excellent voice quality and low latency
| At a Glance | Mattermost | Discord |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Communication | Communication |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 3.7/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Mattermost or Discord?
Choose Mattermost if
Open-source team collaboration platform
- You want open source Slack alternative
- You want self-hostable
Choose Discord if
Your place to talk and hang out
- You want completely free for most features
- You want excellent voice quality and low latency
| Feature | Mattermost | Discord |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 604 reviews | ★3.7/5 639 reviews |
| Categories | CommunicationTeam Chat | CommunicationCommunity Platforms |
In-Depth Analysis
Mattermost
Open-source team collaboration platform
Mattermost's pricing is fair, offering a generous Free tier for small teams.
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
Discord is genuinely free for core communication, unlimited messages, voice channels, video calls up to 25 people, and communities of any size.
Watch out
File upload limits are tight on Free (10 MB), forces cloud storage workarounds for teams sharing assets
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 (604 reviews). Discord: 3.7/5 (639 reviews).
Go with: Mattermost
Value user reviews?
Mattermost: 604 reviews (4.3/5). Discord: 639 reviews (3.7/5).
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?
Mattermost is rated higher: 4.3/5 vs 3.7/5.
Key Takeaways
Discord
- Larger review base (639 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Mattermost
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 3.7/5
The Bottom Line
Discord wins this matchup. Microsoft Teams is our overall Team Chat pick. Microsoft Teams is our free Team Chat 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.