Orbit vs Zulip: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Orbit and Zulip 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Orbit
Build and grow your community with a data-driven approach.
Best for you if:
- • You need product analytics features specifically
- • Centralizes community interactions from multiple platforms.
- • Provides a unified view of community members and their activities.
Zulip
Open-source team chat with threads
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need team chat features specifically
- • Zulip is an open-source team chat with threaded conversations
- • It organizes discussions by topic for better context and search
| At a Glance |  Orbit |  Zulip |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Product Analytics | Team Chat |
Rating | —/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Orbit | Zulip |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Product AnalyticsCommunity Platforms | Team ChatCommunity Platforms |
How Orbit and Zulip Compare
Orbit
Build and grow your community with a data-driven approach.
Free tier available
Zulip
Open-source team chat with threads
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Orbit is a product analytics tool. Zulip is in team chat.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Orbit
Want the highest-rated option?
Zulip scores 82/100. Orbit is unrated.
Go with: Zulip
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Zulip
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?
Orbit is a product analytics tool. Zulip is in team chat. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Zulip
- Higher score: 82/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Orbit
- Better fit for product analytics
The Bottom Line
Zulip (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orbit or Zulip better?
Zulip scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Orbit and Zulip used for?
Orbit: Build and grow your community with a data-driven approach.. Zulip: Open-source team chat with threads.
What does Orbit cost vs Zulip?
Orbit is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Zulip is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.