Slack alternatives · Team Chat
Self-hosted alternatives to Slack
The Slack listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 8 of the 33 other team communication apps in this directory can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.
Slack has a free plan. Paid plans start at $7.25 per user / month, billed annually. 7 of them are free or have a free plan.
8 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
How each one differs from Slack
- Free plan
Mattermost
Self-hosted team messaging with playbooks, calls and boards
- Mattermost is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Mattermost also covers kanban boards and AI agents.
- Slack also covers documents, video calls and file sharing.
- Free plan
Element
End-to-end encrypted chat and calls on the Matrix standard
- Element is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Slack also covers workflow automation and documents.
- 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. Slack starts at $7.25 per user / month, billed annually.
- Slack has a free plan. Troop Messenger does not, though it has a free trial.
- Troop Messenger is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Slack also covers workflow automation and documents.
- Free plan
Rocket.Chat
Open-source, self-managed chat for security-focused teams
- Rocket.Chat is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Slack also covers workflow automation, documents and video calls.
- 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. Slack starts at $7.25 per user / month, billed annually.
- Zulip is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Slack also covers workflow automation, documents and video calls.
- 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. Slack starts at $7.25 per user / month, billed annually.
- Wire is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Slack also covers workflow automation and documents.
- Free
ONCE Campfire
Self-hosted group chat from 37signals, free and open source
- ONCE Campfire is free. Slack starts at $7.25 per user / month, billed annually.
- Only Slack lists macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- ONCE Campfire is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Slack also covers workflow automation, documents and video calls.
- Free
Jitsi Meet
Free, open-source video meetings you can self-host
- Jitsi Meet is free. Slack starts at $7.25 per user / month, billed annually.
- Jitsi Meet is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Slack also covers workflow automation, documents, team chat and file sharing.
Common questions
Is there a self-hosted alternative to Slack?
Yes. Mattermost, Element, Troop Messenger, Rocket.Chat, Zulip, Wire, ONCE Campfire and Jitsi Meet can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.
Can Slack be self-hosted?
The Slack listing does not say it can be self-hosted. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.
Which of these team communication apps are free?
Mattermost, Element, Rocket.Chat, Zulip, Wire, ONCE Campfire and Jitsi Meet 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 Oct 6, 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 Slack: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.