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 Zulip: which should you self-host in 2026?
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.
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.
Zulip is a powerful, open source group chat application.
- Apache-2.0
- Python
- Actively maintained
Head-to-head
Mattermost vs Zulip, side by side
Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.
| Aspect |  Mattermost |  Zulip |
|---|---|---|
| License | Source under AGPL-3.0 (or commercial), admin tools Apache-2.0, official binaries MIT; paid editions add features | Apache-2.0 |
| Language/stack | Go server with a React webapp, PostgreSQL | Python (Django) with PostgreSQL |
| Conversation model | Channels with reply threads, similar to Slack | Streams split into named topics; every message belongs to a topic |
| Standout features | Playbooks, GitLab and Jira integrations, calls plugin | Topic-based threading, powerful search and narrowing, many integrations, Slack import |
| Mobile apps | Official Android and iOS apps plus desktop apps | Official Android and iOS apps plus desktop apps |
| GitHub stars | 39,271 | 25,998 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 1,913 | 4,853 |
| Last commit | Oct 6, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Latest release | v11.11.1Sep 24, 2026 | 12.3Sep 21, 2026 |
| Main language | TypeScript | Python |
| Official Docker image | Yes | No |
| Repository | mattermost/mattermost | zulip/zulip |
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 suits engineering organizations that want Slack-like chat with playbooks, integrations and a commercial support path. Zulip is the better choice for async or distributed teams and open-source communities, since its topic model keeps long-running conversations readable and the server has no proprietary edition split.
Best for
Choose Mattermost for
Engineering organizations that want Slack-style chat with DevOps workflows.
Best for
Choose Zulip for
Async teams and communities that need organized, topic-based threads.
Deploy either in minutes
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Can I import Slack history into either?
Yes. Both Mattermost and Zulip provide importers for Slack exports, so you can bring channels and message history with you.
Which is better for open-source communities?
Zulip is widely used by open-source projects because topics keep async discussion organized and the software is fully Apache-2.0.
Does Mattermost have paid features?
Yes. Mattermost offers paid editions with additional compliance, security and administration features on top of the free self-hosted version.
Which is more popular on GitHub, Mattermost or Zulip?
Mattermost has 39,271 GitHub stars against 25,998 for Zulip. Over the last twelve months Mattermost received 1,913 commits and Zulip received 4,853, so Zulip 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
Mattermost vs Rocket.Chat
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.
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.
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.
