Alternatives · Team Chat
OpenIM alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded OpenIM alternative is Matrix (3.0 GPA). It's also the best free one.
OpenIM compared with 5 alternatives: ejabberd, Matrix, Mattermost, Rocket.Chat and Tinode.
OpenIM has a free plan. All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a OpenIM sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenIMThis tool | Free plan | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| ejabberd | Free plan · from €200/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Matrix | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Mattermost | Free plan | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Rocket.Chat | Free plan | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Tinode | Free plan · from $1.50/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from OpenIM
ejabberd
Erlang messaging server for XMPP, MQTT, SIP and Matrix
- ejabberd starts at €200 per month (Fluux managed cloud).
- ejabberd also lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
- ejabberd lists no web app and iOS and Android apps, which OpenIM has.
- ejabberd does not cover video calls, which OpenIM does.
Suits: Developers building chat or messaging into a product
Matrix
Open, decentralized network for chat and calls
- Matrix is free.
- Matrix also lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Matrix is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Matrix does not cover video calls, which OpenIM does.
Suits: Organizations that want to own their chat data on their own domain
Mattermost
Self-hosted team messaging with playbooks, calls and boards
- Mattermost also lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Mattermost also covers kanban boards, workflow automation and AI agents.
- Mattermost does not cover video calls, which OpenIM does.
Suits: Organizations that must keep chat on their own servers or air-gapped networks
Rocket.Chat
Open-source, self-managed chat for security-focused teams
- Rocket.Chat also lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Rocket.Chat is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Rocket.Chat also covers file sharing.
- Rocket.Chat does not cover video calls, which OpenIM does.
Suits: Organizations that must host chat themselves for data sovereignty
Tinode
Open-source instant messaging server you host or rent
- Tinode starts at $1.50 per user / month (Cloud).
- Tinode does not cover video calls, which OpenIM does.
Suits: Teams with engineers who want to run their own chat server
Limits worth knowing in OpenIM
- OpenIM is not a single chat app. Open Source is meant for development and custom clients, and the site says Enterprise is for production.
- Business and Enterprise have no published prices; they are bought through a request-a-trial and contract process.
- Voice and video and video meetings are separate modules purchased as needed on the commercial editions.
- The open-source GitHub page lists an Electron demo app for Windows, Mac and Linux, but the site presents these as demos.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to OpenIM?
The alternatives to OpenIM in this directory are ejabberd, Matrix, Mattermost, Rocket.Chat and Tinode. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with OpenIM.
Is there a free alternative to OpenIM?
Yes. Matrix is free to use. ejabberd, Mattermost, Rocket.Chat and Tinode have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which OpenIM alternatives work on Windows?
The OpenIM listing does not include a Windows app. ejabberd, Matrix, Mattermost and Rocket.Chat list one.
Which OpenIM alternatives work on macOS?
The OpenIM listing does not include a macOS app. ejabberd, Matrix, Mattermost and Rocket.Chat list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.