Microsoft Teams vs Mattermost: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Microsoft Teams and Mattermost 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 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:
Microsoft Teams
Unite chat, meetings, and files with Microsoft 365
Best for you if:
- • You want microsoft 365 integration
- • You want full collaboration suite
Mattermost
Open-source team collaboration platform
Best for you if:
- • You want open source Slack alternative
- • You want self-hostable
| At a Glance | Microsoft Teams | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Communication | Communication |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Microsoft Teams or Mattermost?
Choose Microsoft Teams if
Unite chat, meetings, and files with Microsoft 365
- You want microsoft 365 integration
- You want full collaboration suite
- Budget matters (Free vs Free)
Choose Mattermost if
Open-source team collaboration platform
- You want open source Slack alternative
- You want self-hostable
| Feature | Microsoft Teams | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 30,473 reviews | ★4.3/5 604 reviews |
| Categories | CommunicationTeam Chat | CommunicationTeam Chat |
In-Depth Analysis
Microsoft Teams
Unite chat, meetings, and files with Microsoft 365
Microsoft Teams is the most cost-effective business communication platform when bundled with Microsoft 365.
Watch out
Teams Premium add-on ($10/user/mo) required for AI features like intelligent recap and custom branding
Strengths
- +Microsoft 365 integration
- +Full collaboration suite
- +Free tier
Weaknesses
- -Can be overwhelming
- -Requires Microsoft ecosystem
Key features
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
Pricing: Microsoft Teams vs Mattermost
| Plan | Microsoft Teams | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $4 Essentials | $10 Professional |
| Tier 3 | $6 Business Basic | Custom Enterprise |
| Tier 4 | $12.5 Business Standard | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Microsoft Teams pricing and Mattermost pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Microsoft Teams
Want the highest-rated option?
Microsoft Teams: 4.4/5 (30,473 reviews). Mattermost: 4.3/5 (604 reviews).
Go with: Microsoft Teams
Value user reviews?
Microsoft Teams: 30,473 reviews (4.4/5). Mattermost: 604 reviews (4.3/5).
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?
Microsoft Teams is rated higher: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft Teams
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (30,473 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 overall Team Chat pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microsoft Teams or Mattermost better?
Microsoft Teams is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Microsoft Teams and Mattermost used for?
Microsoft Teams: Unite chat, meetings, and files with Microsoft 365. Mattermost: Open-source team collaboration platform.
What does Microsoft Teams cost vs Mattermost?
Microsoft Teams is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Mattermost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.