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Google Chat alternatives · Team Chat

Open-source alternatives to Google Chat

Google Chat is not described as open source on its own site. 11 of the 50 other team communication apps in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

Google Chat has a free plan. Paid plans start at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace). All of them are free or have a free plan.

11 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Google Chat

  1. Rocket.Chat

    Open-source, self-managed chat for security-focused teams

    • Only Rocket.Chat lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Rocket.Chat is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Google Chat also covers tasks.
    Rocket.Chat pricing and details

  2. Zulip

    Open-source team chat that organizes channels by topic

    • Zulip starts at $3.50 per user / month self-hosted (billed monthly); Cloud from $6.67 billed annually. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
    • Only Zulip lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Zulip is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Google Chat also covers tasks.
    Zulip pricing and details

  3. ONCE Campfire

    Self-hosted group chat from 37signals, free and open source

    • ONCE Campfire is free. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
    • Only Google Chat lists iOS and Android apps.
    • ONCE Campfire is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Google Chat also covers tasks.
    ONCE Campfire pricing and details

  4. Stoat

    Open-source group chat for friends and communities

    • Stoat is free. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
    • Only Stoat lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Stoat is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Google Chat also covers tasks.
    Stoat pricing and details

  5. Mattermost

    Self-hosted team messaging with playbooks, calls and boards

    • Only Mattermost lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Mattermost is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Mattermost also covers kanban boards, workflow automation and AI agents.
    • Google Chat also covers tasks and file sharing.
    Mattermost pricing and details

  6. Element

    End-to-end encrypted chat and calls on the Matrix standard

    • Only Element lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Element is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Element also covers video calls.
    • Google Chat also covers tasks.
    Element pricing and details

  7. Wire

    End-to-end encrypted messaging and calls for organizations

    • Wire starts at €7.45 per person / month, paid annually. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
    • Only Wire lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Wire is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Wire also covers video calls.
    Wire pricing and details

  8. Twake

    Open-source workplace suite with chat, mail and drive

    • Twake starts at €4.00 per month. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
    • Only Twake lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Google Chat lists a web app.
    • Twake is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Twake pricing and details

  9. Jitsi Meet

    Free, open-source video meetings you can self-host

    • Jitsi Meet is free. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
    • Only Jitsi Meet lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Jitsi Meet is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Jitsi Meet also covers video calls.
    Jitsi Meet pricing and details

  10. Matrix

    Open, decentralized network for chat and calls

    • Matrix is free. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
    • Only Matrix lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Matrix is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Google Chat also covers tasks and file sharing.
    Matrix pricing and details

  11. Mumble

    Free open-source voice chat with low latency

    • Mumble is free. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
    • Only Mumble lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Google Chat lists a web app.
    • Only Google Chat lists iOS and Android apps.
    Mumble pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to Google Chat?

Yes. Rocket.Chat, Zulip, ONCE Campfire, Stoat, Mattermost, Element, Wire, Twake and 3 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is Google Chat open source?

Google Chat is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Nov 9, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Google Chat: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.