Platform for secure collaboration across the entire software development lifecycle, can be integrated with Gitlab (alternative to Slack).
- TypeScript
- Docker
- Actively maintained
Team Chat comparison
Mattermost vs Rocket.Chat: which should you self-host in 2026?
Pick Mattermost if you want a Slack-like chat built for engineering and DevOps teams; pick Rocket.Chat if you want an MIT core with omnichannel customer chat and federation.
Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.
Communications platform that puts data protection first (alternative to Gitter.im and Slack).
- MIT
- TypeScript
- Docker
- Actively maintained
Head-to-head
Mattermost vs Rocket.Chat, side by side
Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.
| Aspect |  Mattermost |  Rocket.Chat |
|---|---|---|
| License | Source under AGPL-3.0 (or commercial), admin tools under Apache-2.0, official binaries under MIT; paid editions add features | MIT for the core; code in the ee/ directories is under a separate enterprise license |
| Language/stack | Go server with a React webapp | TypeScript on Node.js (Meteor) with a React UI |
| Database | PostgreSQL (the docs offer a migration guide for MySQL users) | MongoDB |
| Standout features | Playbooks, GitLab and Jira integrations, calls plugin, compliance features in paid tiers | Omnichannel livechat, apps marketplace, Matrix federation, white-labeling |
| Mobile apps | Official Android and iOS apps plus desktop apps | Official Android and iOS apps plus desktop apps |
| GitHub stars | 39,271 | 46,213 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 1,913 | 2,155 |
| Last commit | Oct 6, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Latest release | v11.11.1Sep 24, 2026 | 8.9.0Oct 5, 2026 |
| Main language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| Repository | mattermost/mattermost | RocketChat/Rocket.Chat |
Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.
Verdict
Mattermost is focused on secure team collaboration for technical organizations, with playbooks and strong GitLab and DevOps integrations, running on Go and PostgreSQL. Rocket.Chat covers team chat plus omnichannel support (livechat, email, social channels) and a marketplace of apps, which suits organizations that want one tool for internal and customer conversations.
Best for
Choose Mattermost for
Engineering and DevOps teams that want Slack-style chat with workflows.
Best for
Choose Rocket.Chat for
Organizations that want team chat plus livechat and omnichannel support.
Deploy either in minutes
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Is Mattermost open source?
Its source is available under AGPL-3.0 (or a commercial license), and official compiled builds are licensed under MIT. Several enterprise features are only in paid editions.
Which is the better Slack alternative?
Mattermost feels closer to Slack for internal engineering teams. Rocket.Chat is the better pick if you also need customer-facing livechat in the same product.
What database does each need?
Mattermost runs on PostgreSQL. Rocket.Chat uses MongoDB, typically deployed as a replica set alongside the app in Docker Compose.
Which is more popular on GitHub, Mattermost or Rocket.Chat?
Rocket.Chat has 46,213 GitHub stars against 39,271 for Mattermost. Over the last twelve months Mattermost received 1,913 commits and Rocket.Chat received 2,155, so Rocket.Chat is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.
Keep comparing
Other comparisons
Rocket.Chat vs Zulip
Pick Rocket.Chat if you want Slack-style channels plus omnichannel customer chat; pick Zulip if your team works asynchronously and wants topic-based threads that stay organized.
Mattermost vs Zulip
Pick Mattermost if you want Slack-style channels with DevOps workflows and enterprise options; pick Zulip if you want topic-based threading and a fully Apache-2.0 server.
Chatwoot vs Zammad
Pick Chatwoot for omnichannel live chat and social messaging support with mobile apps; pick Zammad for classic email-centred ticketing with SLAs, a knowledge base and reporting.
