Twist vs Mattermost: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Twist 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 wins this matchup. Microsoft Teams is our overall Team Chat pick. Microsoft Teams is our free Team Chat pick. Pick Twist 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:
Twist
Async communication for remote teams
Best for you if:
- • You want async-first design
- • You want organized threads
Mattermost
Open-source team collaboration platform
Best for you if:
- • You want open source Slack alternative
- • You want self-hostable
| At a Glance | Twist | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Communication | Communication |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Twist or Mattermost?
Choose Twist if
Async communication for remote teams
- You want async-first design
- You want organized threads
- Budget matters (Free vs Free)
Choose Mattermost if
Open-source team collaboration platform
- You want open source Slack alternative
- You want self-hostable
| Feature | Twist | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 36 reviews | ★4.3/5 604 reviews |
| Categories | CommunicationProductivity | CommunicationTeam Chat |
In-Depth Analysis
Twist
Async communication for remote teams
Twist's pricing is quite fair, especially with a generous Free tier that supports up to 500 members.
Strengths
- +Async-first design
- +Organized threads
- +Less notification noise
Weaknesses
- -Smaller ecosystem
- -Different from Slack
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: Twist vs Mattermost
| Plan | Twist | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $6 Unlimited | $10 Professional |
| Tier 3 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Twist pricing and Mattermost pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Twist
Want the highest-rated option?
Twist: 4.3/5 (36 reviews). Mattermost: 4.3/5 (604 reviews).
Go with: Twist
Value user reviews?
Twist: 36 reviews (4.3/5). Mattermost: 604 reviews (4.3/5).
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?
Both are communication tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Mattermost
- Larger review base (604 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Twist
- Choose if you want async communication for remote teams
The Bottom Line
Mattermost wins this matchup. Microsoft Teams is our overall Team Chat pick. Microsoft Teams is our free Team Chat pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Twist or Mattermost better?
Mattermost is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Twist and Mattermost used for?
Twist: Async communication for remote teams. Mattermost: Open-source team collaboration platform.
What does Twist cost vs Mattermost?
Twist is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Mattermost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.