Rocket.Chat vs Mattermost: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Rocket.Chat 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: Mattermost is our overall pick for communication workflows. Pick Rocket.Chat if you need team chat.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Rocket.Chat
Open-source team communication platform
Best for you if:
- • You need team chat features specifically
- • Rocket.Chat is an open-source team collaboration platform
- • It provides messaging, video calls, and integrations with self-hosting option
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
| At a Glance |  Rocket.Chat |  Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0/moStarter | $10/moProfessional |
Best For | Team Chat | Communication |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Rocket.Chat or Mattermost?
Choose Rocket.Chat if
Open-source team communication platform
- Open source team chat
- Self-hostable
- Customizable
- Your work is team chat-shaped, not communication-shaped
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
| Feature | Rocket.Chat | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 513 reviews | ★4.3/5 596 reviews |
| Categories | Team ChatCommunication | CommunicationTeam Chat |
In-Depth Analysis
Rocket.Chat
Open-source team communication platform
Strengths
- +Open source team chat
- +Self-hostable
- +Customizable
- +Federation support
- +Free for self-hosted
Weaknesses
- -Less polished
- -Setup complex
- -Smaller community
- -Limited integrations
- -Performance varies
Key features
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
Pricing: Rocket.Chat vs Mattermost
| Plan | Rocket.Chat | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Starter | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $8/user/month Pro | $10 Professional |
| Tier 3 | Custom Enterprise | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Rocket.Chat pricing and Mattermost pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Rocket.Chat
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Rocket.Chat
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
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?
Rocket.Chat is a team chat tool. Mattermost is in communication. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Mattermost
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (596 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Rocket.Chat
- Better fit for team chat
The Bottom Line
Mattermost is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rocket.Chat or Mattermost better?
Mattermost is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Rocket.Chat and Mattermost used for?
Rocket.Chat: Open-source team communication platform. Mattermost: Open-source team collaboration platform.
What does Rocket.Chat cost vs Mattermost?
Rocket.Chat is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Mattermost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.