Mattermost vs Zoom: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Mattermost and Zoom 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: Zoom wins this matchup. Our overall Communication pick is Microsoft Teams. Our free Communication pick is Telegram. Pick Mattermost if you need communication.
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
Zoom
Connect, communicate, and collaborate with HD video meetings
Best for you if:
- • You need video conferencing features specifically
- • Video conferencing platform
- • Meetings and webinars
| At a Glance |  Mattermost | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Communication | Video Conferencing |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 3.7/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Mattermost or Zoom?
Choose Mattermost if
Open-source team collaboration platform
- Open source Slack alternative
- Self-hostable
- Good for compliance
- Your work is communication-shaped, not video conferencing-shaped
Choose Zoom if
Connect, communicate, and collaborate with HD video meetings
- Reliable video quality
- Easy to use
- Good for large meetings
- Your work is video conferencing-shaped, not communication-shaped
| Feature | Mattermost | Zoom |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 604 reviews | ★3.7/5 73,247 reviews |
| Categories | CommunicationTeam Chat | Video ConferencingCommunication |
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
Zoom
Connect, communicate, and collaborate with HD video meetings
Zoom Pro at $13.33/user/month (annual) remains the baseline for professional video conferencing, but the real cost is in add-ons.
Watch out
Cloud recording storage fills fast: Pro and Business include only 10GB (about 10-15 hours of recordings). Additional storage costs $10/month for 30GB or $40/month for 25GB depending on the add-on tier. Enterprise gets unlimited recording storage, the only plan where this is not an issue.
Strengths
- +Reliable video quality
- +Easy to use
- +Good for large meetings
- +Breakout rooms
Weaknesses
- -Free plan has time limits
- -Security concerns historically
- -Can be resource intensive
Key features
Pricing: Mattermost vs Zoom
| Plan | Mattermost | Zoom |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Zoom 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). Zoom: 3.7/5 (73,247 reviews).
Go with: Mattermost
Value user reviews?
Mattermost: 604 reviews (4.3/5). Zoom: 73,247 reviews (3.7/5).
Go with: Zoom
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. Zoom is in video conferencing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Mattermost is rated higher: 4.3/5 vs 3.7/5.
Key Takeaways
Zoom
- Larger review base (73,247 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Mattermost
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 3.7/5
- Better fit for communication
The Bottom Line
Zoom wins this matchup. Our overall Communication pick is Microsoft Teams. Our free Communication pick is Telegram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mattermost or Zoom better?
Zoom is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Mattermost and Zoom used for?
Mattermost: Open-source team collaboration platform. Zoom: Connect, communicate, and collaborate with HD video meetings.
What does Mattermost cost vs Zoom?
Mattermost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Zoom is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.