Feeling boxed in by Mattermost's limitations? You're not alone because there're many teams that are on the hunt for the best mattermost alternatives, and for good reasons. From licensing issues that don't quite fit your business model to scalability headaches, it’s clear why looking beyond can be a smart move. But where do you start?

Today, we're going to explore some exceptional platforms that not only provide communication services but also come packed with advanced security measures, effortless integration options, and an interface designed to elevate your productivity levels. If you're in the market for sophisticated task coordination software or team communication enhancements, rest assured, we cover the best tools to meet your demands.  

By the end of this read, finding an alternative that aligns with your team communication needs will feel less like guesswork and more like a strategic decision.

Why Are People Looking for Mattermost Alternatives?

People often search for alternatives to Mattermost due to a desire for features that better align with their specific communication needs, such as more advanced collaboration tools or integrations with other software. 

Some may seek a more user-friendly interface or require a solution that offers both cost-effectiveness and scalability for growing teams. Reviewers note that it can take time for people to get up to speed with Mattermost or that it lags on laptops. Others might look for platforms with enhanced security features or those that provide superior customer support and reliability for enterprise use. Here's a deeper look at a couple of the most common reasons:

Restrictive License Limitations

Many teams have embraced Mattermost for its open-source messaging capabilities, yet it's the restrictive licensing that often becomes a hurdle. However, the constraints imposed by its licensing terms occasionally become a hurdle for users. 

For organizations that need more flexibility than what Mattermost's license offers, this becomes a sticking point. Some teams find themselves limited by the constraints of the software's open-source nature, which is why they start looking for alternatives.

The search for best Mattermost alternatives often begins with those needing to scale their operations beyond what Mattermost comfortably allows or who require specific features not provided out of the box.

Scalability Concerns

When squads expand and undertakings evolve in complexity, the necessity for scalability turns paramount. This is where some users hit a roadblock with Mattermost. Despite its strengths as a collaboration tool and messaging platform, when it comes to handling large volumes of data or integrating seamlessly with other enterprise tools without compromising performance or security features, gaps may appear.

In addition to these big concerns, reviews also cover other common downsides noted by users such as: 

• Poor documentation
• Trouble loading on mobile
• Learning curve
• Overwhelming popups 
• Lack of video call options 

This prompts teams to look elsewhere—towards platforms built from the ground up to support scaling effortlessly while maintaining high levels of security compliance (GDPR and CCPA).

What Features Should I Look For In A Mattermost Alternative?

Finding the right collaboration tool can be a game-changer for enhancing productivity and efficiency in customer support, sales, remote work, and various office jobs. If you're considering alternatives to Mattermost, focusing on specific features that meet your team's unique needs is crucial. Let’s explore the key features that make an alternative stand out.

User-Friendly Interface

The interface of any communication platform plays a significant role in its adoption rate among team members. An intuitive design ensures users can navigate through features effortlessly without extensive training. This ease of use enhances overall engagement and productivity within teams.

Robust Security Measures

The importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated—especially when handling sensitive information related to customers or internal processes. Opting for tools with end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and compliance with global data protection regulations safeguards your business against potential threats.

Seamless Integration Capabilities

A superior alternative should seamlessly integrate with other software applications used by your organization such as CRM systems, project management tools, file sharing services, etc., creating a streamlined workflow that eliminates the need to constantly switch between apps.

Real-time Communication & Collaboration Features

To facilitate immediate feedback loops and foster a collaborative environment among remote workers or different departments within an office setting; look for platforms offering real-time messaging capabilities alongside video conferencing options. This encourages spontaneous discussions leading to faster decision-making processes.

Customization Options

Different teams have varying requirements based on their workflows or projects they handle regularly. The ability to customize channels according to topics or projects allows better organization while ensuring relevant stakeholders stay informed about updates pertinent to them specifically—a feature not all platforms offer but greatly impacts usability.

The 5 Best Mattermost Alternatives for 2024

Discovering the ideal platform for team interaction could significantly transform your business's growth trajectory. If you're looking beyond Mattermost, here's some top-notch alternatives that cater to various needs from security features to advanced collaboration tools.

1. Rocket.Chat 

When it comes to secure enterprise communication, Rocket.Chat stands out with its robust security measures and customization options. It's an open-source software that allows teams not just to chat but also share files securely and conduct video conferencing without fretting over data privacy. 

With Rocket.Chat’s self-hosting capabilities, businesses have complete control over their data. Moreover, it offers custom user controls enhancing both flexibility and security—a crucial aspect for companies operating in highly regulated industries.

The platform is GDPR and CCPA compliant ensuring that your team's internal communications meet global standards of data protection. This level of attention towards securing user information makes Rocket.Chat a strong contender for those prioritizing safety alongside seamless collaboration.

G2 reviewer Jastin says: 

Rocket.Chat's standout feature lies in its adaptability and customization capabilities, enabling users to tailor their communication and collaboration environment to precise specifications. The open-source nature of the platform fosters a vibrant community of developers, allowing for continuous improvement and a wide array of plugins and integrations. Additionally, the emphasis on real-time messaging, robust security measures, and the option for self-hosting contribute to Rocket.Chat's appeal, making it a versatile solution for diverse communication needs.

2. Pumble 

If speed and accessibility are what you seek in a messaging service, then Pumble might be your go-to option. Unlike many other platforms which limit message history or require additional fees for full access, Pumble offers unlimited message history making all past conversations easily retrievable at no extra cost.

This approach ensures that important details never get lost in translation due to arbitrary limitations on message storage space—making project management smoother as every piece of information is always within reach. The tool boasts simplicity allowing even the least tech-savvy team members quick adaptation without compromising efficiency or productivity.

This combination of fast performance coupled with ease-of-use positions Pumble as an excellent alternative especially when rapid deployment across teams is needed while keeping costs low.

In a G2 review, user Sanjay shares: 

Very easy,very fast. anyone can handle it very easily. best app for organizations to chat. best feature and very good User interface. loved the color theme. highly recommended for all the organization to use it.

3. Teams (formerly Microsoft Teams)

Teams features include chat and video conferencing for real-time communication, integration with Microsoft 365 for access to Office apps, file sharing and collaboration within teams, extensive third-party app integration for enhanced functionality, and robust security and compliance measures to protect data and privacy. It's designed for both small teams and large enterprises, facilitating efficient workflow and project management. Microsoft Teams saw a 50% increase in active users from 2023 to 2024, reaching 250 million users.

In a G2 review, user Shyam shares:

What I like best about teams is the speed of messaging, good facility for co-browsing the screen, facility of sharing sound in the meeting, facility to change the status of availability, away, busy, etc.

The facility of creating groups is outstanding and enables assigning tasks to team members easily.

Also, there is a facility to schedule a webinar, and conducting a webinar is outstanding. It enables the creating a landing page with the desired logo.

4. Slack

Slack, as an alternative to Mattermost, offers a range of features designed for team collaboration and communication. It includes organized chat rooms (channels) for team discussions, direct messaging for private conversations, and the ability to share files and documents. Slack has over 12 million daily active users in 2024. You can do so much more than just send messages in Slack; in fact, if you have a big team relying on it, you might even need to scrape Slack data from time to time. 

As this has quickly taken on more market share, plenty of Slack alternatives have popped up, but this software is still widely trusted. 

Slack integrates with numerous third-party apps and services, enhancing its functionality for project management, scheduling, and more. It also supports voice and video calls directly within the platform, making it versatile for various communication needs. Slack's user-friendly interface and robust notification system help keep teams synchronized and productive.

G2 reviewer Ashley says: 

I love the way you can organize all of your channels within your workspace. It very easy to keep things grouped together. I also love that there's different options of communicating via Slack - channels, DMs, threads, calling, etc. It's quick and easy to send a private DM or even give someone a call! It also let's you know if someone is already on a call with a little phone icon next to their name. You can also personalize your display name, set a status to let everyone know what you're up to or if you're away.

Plus, there's tons of emoji's, reactions, etc. and you can even make your own to add! You can also set your theme between light and dark, which I absolutely love. There's lots of ways to personalize your Slack - including profile pictures! It's one of my favorite features about Slack! You can now also add pronouns - which has been truly wonderful for our organization. I also love that there's a mobile app for Slack, keeping you connected in the office and on the go! I use Slack on my phone all the time and it really helps me stay connected and up to date with any information I might have otherwise missed off the clock.

5. Zulip

Zulip stands out as an alternative to Mattermost with its unique topic-based threading model, which organizes conversations within channels for easy navigation and reference. It supports one-on-one and group messaging, offers powerful search capabilities, and integrates with various third-party tools to enhance productivity. 

Additionally, Zulip is open-source, allowing for customization and self-hosting options, and it emphasizes strong security practices to protect communication.

User Twinkle shares in a G2 review: 

Zulip made communication better and seamless for my organisation and helped us communicate better across various channels without any hiccups.

6. Discord 

Discord is popular not just for online social communities, but increasingly it is used in a business context as well.Discord boasts over 140 million monthly active users in 2024. The program earns strong reviewer marks for how quickly it loads and all the features you can customize for how it appears as you use it. 

As one reviewer notes on Capterra:

Discord is very easy to use. The software is intuitive and user friendly. You can control the bit rate in voice channels which makes it easier for people with bad signal to communicate. Discord servers are great for community hangouts or friend hangouts. Many software and games have their own community servers in Discord. Moderation is easier and roles can be assigned to people and the things a person can do can be divided into roles. Discord is great for having a chit chat with others and community engagement but I can't really see it being used in a professional environment.

Conclusion

You've seen some of the best Mattermost alternatives to choose from. When you make your decision, make sure you and your team (if you have one) choose the tool that meets your needs now and a year from now. Don't let price be the only factor in choosing a Mattermost alternative.

P.S. Looking for a great way to write messages more quickly? You can use Magical! Save templates for easy reference and save up to 7 hours per week.