7 best Mattermost alternatives for secure business messaging

Mattermost is one of the popular collaboration platforms with advanced messaging and chat functionalities. It is an open-source platform, and its features can be customized to meet different business requirements.

Yet, for many privacy-oriented and personalization-focused businesses and organizations, Mattermost has limited capabilities when it comes to scalable external communication with vendors, customers, and more.

In this blog, we review some of the best Mattermost alternatives with equal or exceeding abilities when offering a secure messaging platform.

Where does Mattermost excel?

Mattermost is widely recognized as a developer-first collaboration platform with advanced security features. Here's what makes Mattermost so popular and well-received:

1. Customization

A notable advantage of using Mattermost is that it is open-source software that can be customized to some extent to match various business requirements. Its source code is written in Golang, and businesses can alter the server or web app code to deliver additional functionalities.

2. Integration support

Mattermost can be integrated with the sales, CRM, and other business tools you already use, so you don’t have to switch between multiple platforms. You can automate routine tasks and build custom flows with deep tool integrations.

3. Highly secure

Mattermost has advanced security features and is compliant with the principles of GDPR and CCPA. It offers encryption in transit and at rest, multi-factor authentication, role-based user control with custom permissions, SAML-based single sign-on (SSO), and more, to ensure the safety and security of data.

4. Self-hosted platform

Mattermost offers self-hosted deployment and database ownership, making it appropriate for businesses dealing with sensitive data and functioning in regulated industries like Healthcare, Financial Services, and Government.

Why should you consider a Mattermost alternative?

Though Mattermost can be customized and integrated with existing third-party tools, some limitations motivate businesses to explore alternatives. Here are some of the crucial gaps:

1. Restrictive license

Mattermost offers a restrictive MIT-COMPILED-LICENSE, which means that businesses that alter the source code must enter into agreements like AGPLv2.

This means your specific conversion-worthy customizations will be in public and displayed to everyone, including your competitors. And every business likes to keep their cards close to the chest.

2. Limited features for external communication

Though it has advanced features for internal business collaboration, Mattemost has limited functionalities for communication with customers, partners, suppliers, and other external parties.

3. Limited scalability

Mattermost uses monolithic architecture, which is tightly coupled and complex to understand. It restricts the scalability of the collaboration tool, which is a limitation for growing businesses. In that case, businesses explore Mattermost alternatives that support scalability.

Best Mattermost alternatives in 2024

There are several Mattermost alternatives and we have listed the best ones for your reference. Here we have curated their pros, cons, and features and choose one that aligns with your business requirements.

1. Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat is a popular Mattermost alternative that offers a secure platform for business communication. Like Mattermost, it is open-source software and allows businesses to customize the features and white label the chat widget to match the brand guidelines.

While Mattermost supports internal communication, Rocket.Chat has extended abilities that promote internal as well as external communication with customers, suppliers, vendors, and others. Also, the platform attaches paramount importance to data security and has advanced features like self-hosting, end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, custom user controls, and more.

Best used for:

Businesses in highly regulated industries looking for affordable, secure messaging platforms.

How is Rocket.Chat different from Mattermost?

Supports communication with customers and vendors
MIT source license, while Mattermost offers a restricted AGPLv2 license.
End-to-end encryption
Supports secure video conferencing and voice calls.
Uses a microservices architecture that is highly scalable.

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2. Element

Element is a secure messaging and communication software that operates based on the Matrix protocol. It has advanced features that promote internal collaboration and boost team productivity. It offers end-to-end encryption and supports communication through messages, voice, and video calls.

Best used for:

Businesses exploring a secure internal communication tool.

How is Element.io different from Mattermost?

Element is easier to set up and install than Mattermost
Offers decentralization with Matrix protocol
Extra security with cross-signed device verification

3. Zulip

Zulip is a team chat and communication tool that allows business teams to collaborate efficiently. It is an open-source tool and offers a unique thread-based model that allows topic-based discussions internally. So, it is easy to coordinate multiple projects and hold virtual discussions with cross-functional teams.

Best used for:

Enterprises exploring an all-rounder messaging application

How is Zulip different from Mattermost?

Zulip offers self-hosted and managed-hosting solutions
Intuitive handling of live and asynchronous conversations
Simple onboarding and setup

4. Troop Messenger

Troop Messenger is one of the leading Mattermost alternatives with an exhaustive suite of features that help streamline internal business communication and collaboration. It has 1:1 messaging, group chat, audio, and video calling abilities. Troop Messenger also allows file-sharing and remote screen sharing to enable easy, effective communication.

Best used for:

Enterprises and growing teams exploring robust office messaging tools.

How is Troop Messenger different from Mattermost?

External chat with vendors, and customers, by adding them to your Troop Messenger ID with custom user controls.
Audio messaging, voice call, video call, and screen sharing abilities.
Simple, intuitive conversational experience.

5. Signal

Signal offers a secure instant messaging platform for businesses and others concerned about privacy. On Signal, business teams communicate one-on-one or in groups through text, voice, or video calls. The software is open-source and the server, mobile, and desktop client is published through AGPL v3.0 restrictive license. All data and messages are end-to-end encrypted.

Best used for:

Small and medium-scale businesses that do not require high-end customization.

How is Signal different from Mattermost?

End-to-end encryption
Easy to chat and share pictures and attachments
Group voice and video conferencing

6. Slack

Slack is one of the most sought-after chat apps for team communication and collaboration. It offers an organized space for instant messaging and file sharing. Employees can engage in direct chat or group chat through channels.

Slack has a mobile and desktop app that supports remote teams to communicate seamlessly. On Slack, you can send files, documents, images, and videos. with your teammates.

Best used for:

Enterprises that have many cross-functional teams and dynamic workspaces.

How is Slack different from Mattermost?

It integrates several analytical, sales, customer support, design, and communication tools.
More features in the free plan and premium plans are more affordable than Mattermost.
Has a simple and clean interface and offers no-code automation.

7. MS Teams

Developed by Microsoft, MS Teams is a popular messaging and video conferencing tool for businesses. MS Teams comes as an add-on for businesses with an Office 365 subscription everywhere but the EU.

S Teams integrates well with other Microsoft products, including Powerpoint, and Excel. It allows business teams to share files and documents on OneDrive and SharePoint. You can also host video conferences and virtual meetings with internal business teams and external stakeholders.

Best used for:

Large and medium-scale enterprises that use Office 365 products.

How is MS Teams different from Mattermost?

Supports video conferencing for up to 250 participants
Extensive integration with Office 365 suite
Individual and group chat features are easy to learn and use

The best Mattermost alternative? The one that works for you.

There is no single best platform, tool, or software for everyone, because every organization is different.

In this list, we presented alternatives to Mattermost that:

are equally secure, yet offer more flexibility when it comes to external communication
offer enterprise-level security, but are easier to set up and manage
come at reduced pricing.

Maybe you're completely happy with Mattermost and that's great! However, if you're looking for a secure, flexible open-source communications platform, reach out to our team at Rocket.Chat to learn how we compare.

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Sara is an SEO Strategist at Rocket.Chat. She is passionate about topics around digital transformation, workplace experience, open source, and data privacy and security.

Sara Ana Cemazar

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