Mattermost vs Zoho Cliq: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Mattermost and Zoho Cliq 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 Zoho Cliq if you need team chat.
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 need communication features specifically
- • Mattermost is an open-source messaging platform for secure team collaboration
- • It provides channels, threads, and integrations with self-hosting options
Zoho Cliq
Optimized communication for your business with secure team chat and collaboration.
Best for you if:
- • You need team chat features specifically
- • Secure team chat and collaboration platform with hybrid communication features.
- • Offers synchronous/asynchronous communication, video conferencing, and productivity tools like whiteboards and screen sharing.
| At a Glance |  Mattermost |  Zoho Cliq |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Communication | Team Chat |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Mattermost or Zoho Cliq?
Choose Mattermost if
Open-source team collaboration platform
- Open source Slack alternative
- Self-hostable
- Good for compliance
- Your work is communication-shaped, not team chat-shaped
Choose Zoho Cliq if
Optimized communication for your business with secure team chat and collaboration.
- Team messaging
- Zoho integration
- Affordable
- Your work is team chat-shaped, not communication-shaped
| Feature | Mattermost | Zoho Cliq |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 596 reviews | ★4.5/5 367 reviews |
| Categories | CommunicationTeam Chat | Team ChatCommunication |
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
Zoho Cliq
Optimized communication for your business with secure team chat and collaboration.
Strengths
- +Team messaging
- +Zoho integration
- +Affordable
- +Bots and automation
- +Video calls
Weaknesses
- -Smaller user base
- -Less polished than Slack
- -Limited integrations
- -Mobile apps okay
- -UI dated
Key features
Pricing: Mattermost vs Zoho Cliq
| Plan | Mattermost | Zoho Cliq |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | N/A |
| Tier 2 | $10 Professional | N/A |
| Tier 3 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Mattermost pricing and Zoho Cliq 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). Zoho Cliq: 4.5/5 (367 reviews).
Go with: Zoho Cliq
Value user reviews?
Mattermost: 596 reviews (4.3/5). Zoho Cliq: 367 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Mattermost
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?
Mattermost is a communication tool. Zoho Cliq is in team chat. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Zoho Cliq is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Mattermost
- Larger review base (596 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Zoho Cliq
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.3/5
- Better fit for team chat
The Bottom Line
Mattermost is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mattermost or Zoho Cliq better?
Mattermost is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Mattermost and Zoho Cliq used for?
Mattermost: Open-source team collaboration platform. Zoho Cliq: Optimized communication for your business with secure team chat and collaboration..
What does Mattermost cost vs Zoho Cliq?
Mattermost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Zoho Cliq is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.