Alternatives · Team Chat
Tinode alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded Tinode alternative is Matrix (3.0 GPA). It's also the best free one.
Tinode compared with 5 alternatives: Matrix, Mattermost, Zulip, Rocket.Chat and OpenIM.
Tinode has a free plan. Paid plans start at $1.50 per user / month (Cloud). 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 Tinode sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| TinodeThis tool | Free plan · from $1.50/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
| Matrix | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Mattermost | Free plan | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Zulip | Free plan · from $3.50/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Rocket.Chat | Free plan | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| OpenIM | Free plan | Yes | Web, iOS, Android |
Price against what you get
Tinode starts at $1.50 a month for each person and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 1 of the 2 alternatives on this chart scores higher and starts lower: Matrix.
Zulip scores higher without starting lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Tinode
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.
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.
Suits: Organizations that must keep chat on their own servers or air-gapped networks
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.
- Zulip also lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Zulip also covers file sharing.
Suits: Distributed teams that prefer asynchronous, topic-organized conversations
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.
Suits: Organizations that must host chat themselves for data sovereignty
OpenIM
Open-source chat, voice and video infrastructure for apps
- OpenIM also covers video calls.
Suits: Developers adding chat to their own product
Limits worth knowing in Tinode
- Self-hosted mobile apps need either your own builds or the push gateway, because the stock apps' notifications will not reach your server otherwise.
- Free self-hosting is for small teams; above roughly 500 push notifications a day a paid plan applies.
- Support contracts exclude third-party integrations, remote administration and support for end users.
- The site's footer reads 2023, and the Cloud plan is arranged through a contact form.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Tinode?
The alternatives to Tinode in this directory are Matrix, Mattermost, Zulip, Rocket.Chat and OpenIM. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Tinode.
Is there a free alternative to Tinode?
Yes. Matrix is free to use. Mattermost, Zulip, Rocket.Chat and OpenIM have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Tinode alternatives work on Windows?
The Tinode listing does not include a Windows app. Matrix, Mattermost, Zulip and Rocket.Chat list one.
Which Tinode alternatives work on macOS?
The Tinode listing does not include a macOS app. Matrix, Mattermost, Zulip 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.