Mattermost vs Microsoft Teams: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Mattermost and Microsoft Teams 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: Microsoft Teams 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
Microsoft Teams
Unite chat, meetings, and files with Microsoft 365
Best for you if:
- • Enterprise communication hub deeply integrated with Microsoft 365
- • Chat, meetings, files, and apps in one platform
| At a Glance |  Mattermost |  Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $10/moProfessional | $4/moEssentials |
Best For | Communication | Communication |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Mattermost or Microsoft Teams?
Choose Mattermost if
Open-source team collaboration platform
- Open source Slack alternative
- Self-hostable
- Good for compliance
Choose Microsoft Teams if
Unite chat, meetings, and files with Microsoft 365
- Microsoft 365 integration
- Full collaboration suite
- Free tier
- Budget matters ($4/mo vs $10/mo)
| Feature | Mattermost | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 596 reviews | ★4.4/5 17,741 reviews |
| Categories | CommunicationTeam Chat | CommunicationTeam Chat |
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
Microsoft Teams
Unite chat, meetings, and files with Microsoft 365
Strengths
- +Microsoft 365 integration
- +Full collaboration suite
- +Free tier
Weaknesses
- -Can be overwhelming
- -Requires Microsoft ecosystem
Key features
Pricing: Mattermost vs Microsoft Teams
| Plan | Mattermost | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $10 Professional | $4 Essentials |
| Tier 3 | Custom Enterprise | $6 Business Basic |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $12.5 Business Standard |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Mattermost pricing and Microsoft Teams pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Mattermost
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Mattermost
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Microsoft Teams
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?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft Teams
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (17,741 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Mattermost
- Choose if you want open-source team collaboration platform
The Bottom Line
Microsoft Teams is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mattermost or Microsoft Teams better?
Microsoft Teams is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Mattermost and Microsoft Teams used for?
Mattermost: Open-source team collaboration platform. Microsoft Teams: Unite chat, meetings, and files with Microsoft 365.
What does Mattermost cost vs Microsoft Teams?
Mattermost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Microsoft Teams is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.