Matrix vs Rocket.Chat (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Matrix if

• Fits if you want chat that no single company controls
• Works for communities that want to run their own server

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want one app that behaves the same everywhere, since features depend on the client
• Tight if you share big files on the free homeserver, as attachments stop at 10MB
• Watch out: the matrix.org server is crowded and has usage limits
• Watch out: running your own homeserver, or paying a host, is a separate cost and effort the Foundation does not endorse
• Watch out: Element X is mobile only and Nheko is desktop only

Pick Rocket.Chat if

• Fits if your organization must host its own chat on its own servers
• Works for teams of up to 50 with someone who can run a server

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you've nobody to install and maintain a server, since the free options are self-managed
• Not for you if you need a price before you talk to sales, as none is published
• Tight if you're past 50 users and hoped to stay on Starter, which stops there and can't run air-gapped
• Watch out: Starter has community support only, and the free Community edition caps 100 concurrent users and isn't meant for production
• Too light for teams that want calls built in, as Rocket.Chat routes them through Pexip, Jitsi, Meet or Zoom

Matrix

• Matrix is a protocol, not one app: features such as calls, threads and encryption depend on the client you choose.
• The public matrix.org homeserver is crowded and has usage limits; the Foundation says premium plan pricing is not yet published.
• Running your own homeserver, or paying a hosting provider, is a separate cost and effort that the Foundation does not endorse or guarantee.
• The platforms listed are those of the featured clients, which differ: Element X is mobile only, while Nheko is desktop only.

Rocket.Chat

• Paid plan prices are not published; Commercial, Government and Defense are quoted by sales.
• Starter stops at 50 users, cannot be deployed air-gapped and has community support only, with no option to buy support.
• The Community edition has core messaging only and 100 concurrent users, and the vendor says it is not suited to business-critical production use.
• The free options are self-managed, so the team installs and maintains the server; Rocket.Chat-run hosting comes with paid plans.

Matrix

Federation between servers

Accounts look like @username:example.com, and people on different providers can message each other, much as email works across providers.

Choice of client

Matrix is only the standard; you chat through a client. The clients page lists Element, Element X, FluffyChat, Cinny and Nheko across web, desktop and mobile.

Encryption in clients that support it

End-to-end encryption is listed as a capability of the featured clients, including for media and calls where a client supports them.

Spaces and threads

Clients can browse and manage Matrix spaces to group rooms for a community, and most featured clients support threaded replies.

Bridges to other networks

Bridges connect Matrix rooms to platforms including Discord, Slack, Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, Mattermost and Google Chat.

Self-hosting or hosted providers

Anyone can run their own homeserver, or pick from the hosting providers the Foundation lists, so an organization keeps control of its data.

Rocket.Chat

Channels, direct messages and threads

Channels, groups, direct messages and threaded discussions with multimedia and file sharing, searchable message history, read receipts and an interface in 64 languages.

Deployment on your own terms

Workspaces run on-premises, in a private or sovereign cloud, or on Rocket.Chat's dedicated hosting. Air-gapped deployment is available on paid plans only.

Identity and access controls

Active Directory and LDAP authentication, single sign-on, multi-factor authentication and role-based access control are included from the free Starter plan.

Encryption and data policies

End-to-end encryption can be switched on for messages and files, alongside data retention policies, data loss prevention and content moderation.

Video through integrations

Calls connect through Pexip, Jitsi, BigBlueButton, Google Meet or Zoom on Starter. The Community edition supports Jitsi and BigBlueButton only.

Federation, apps and API

Matrix protocol federation links separate organizations in shared channels, and the Marketplace, Apps Engine and open API cover custom apps and integrations.

Matrix

• Free$0

  Matrix.org homeserver account: 10MB per attachment and 100MB of uploads per 24 hours, up to 500MB per 28 days.

Rocket.Chat

• Starter$0

  Self-managed workspace for up to 50 users with SSO, LDAP, multi-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption and community-only support.

• Community$0

  Open-source (MIT) edition with core messaging only, up to 100 concurrent users and push notifications capped at 10,000 a month.

• CommercialCustom

  For commercial enterprises: on-premises, private cloud or dedicated cloud hosting, high availability and regulatory compliance features.

• GovernmentCustom

  For public sector agencies: on-premises or sovereign cloud deployment, tamper-evident audit logs, retention policies and Matrix federation.

• DefenseCustom

  For defense and intelligence: air-gapped deployment, DoD ATO up to IL6, FIPS 140-3 validated cryptography and clearance-based access control.