Google Chat alternatives · Team Chat
Self-hosted alternatives to Google Chat
The Google Chat listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 14 of the 50 other team communication apps in this directory can be self-hosted, 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). 11 of them are free or have a free plan.
14 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
The 12 closest to Google Chat
- Free plan
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.
- Free plan · from $3.50/mo
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.
- Free
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.
- Free trial · from $2.50/mo
Troop Messenger
Secure business messenger with calls, sold as SaaS or on-premise
- Troop Messenger starts at $2.50 per user / month. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
- Google Chat has a free plan. Troop Messenger does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Troop Messenger lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Troop Messenger is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free
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.
- Free plan
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.
- Free plan
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.
- Free plan · from €7.45/mo
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.
- Free plan · from €4.00/mo
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.
- Free trial · from €79/mo
Teamwire
GDPR-focused business messenger hosted in Germany
- Teamwire starts at €79 per month for up to 25 users, billed annually. Google Chat starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Google Workspace).
- Google Chat has a free plan. Teamwire does not, though it has a free trial.
- Teamwire is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Teamwire also covers video calls.
- Free
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.
- Free
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.
Common questions
Is there a self-hosted alternative to Google Chat?
Yes. Rocket.Chat, Zulip, ONCE Campfire, Troop Messenger, Stoat, Mattermost, Element, Wire and 6 more can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.
Can Google Chat be self-hosted?
The Google Chat listing does not say it can be self-hosted. The listing was checked on Nov 9, 2026 against the pages it cites.
Which of these team communication apps are free?
Rocket.Chat, Zulip, ONCE Campfire, Stoat, Mattermost, Element, Wire, Twake and 3 more are free or have a free plan.
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.