Slack alternatives
5 team chat tools people switch to from Slack, with free plans and starting prices checked 2026-11-06.
Short answer
Zulip and Mattermost are the two best Slack alternatives for teams that want to stop paying per seat. Zulip's free cloud plan keeps 10,000 searchable messages and 5 GB of storage, and Mattermost's free Entry edition is self-hosted with a 10,000-message history view.
Slack alternatives compared
| Tool | Best for | Free plan | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zulip | threaded, high-volume team discussion | Yes, 10,000 searchable messages and 5 GB total file storage on Zulip Cloud | about $6.67/user/mo billed yearly, $8 billed monthly (Standard) |
| Mattermost | self-hosted chat with data control | Yes, self-hosted Entry edition with channel history capped at 10,000 messages | See pricing |
| Microsoft Teams | companies already on Microsoft 365 | See pricing | See pricing |
| Google Chat | teams already on Google Workspace | See pricing | See pricing |
| Discord | communities and informal teams | See pricing | See pricing |
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1. Zulip
Every message belongs to a topic inside a stream, so busy channels stay readable without threads. Standard removes the 10,000-message search cap and gives 5 GB of storage per user. Self-hosting is free, and open-source projects, academic research and many small nonprofits can get Standard hosting at no cost.
2. Mattermost
Entry is free for small teams, aimed at 25 to 50 users, but only the latest 10,000 channel messages are viewable and searchable. Professional lists unlimited search history and is meant for teams of up to 250 users. You run the server yourself.
3. Microsoft Teams
Chat, meetings and file sharing sit alongside Outlook, SharePoint and OneDrive, so teams already paying for Microsoft 365 avoid a separate chat bill. Plan limits and prices differ by region and plan, so confirm them on Microsoft's own pricing page before switching.
4. Google Chat
Chat is part of the Workspace suite on every plan, from Base upward, so it adds no separate seat cost. It works best next to Gmail, Meet and Drive. Workspace prices are regional and change often, so read the live page.
5. Discord
Voice channels and roles suit communities and small informal teams. Discord's own pricing page lists only Nitro memberships for individuals (50 MB uploads on Basic, 1 GB on Nitro) and no business plan, SSO or admin tiers.
Why people look for a Slack alternative
- The free plan only keeps messages searchable for 90 days and allows up to 10 apps
- Free huddles and Slack Connect external messaging are limited to 1:1; group versions need Pro
- Unlimited message history and unlimited app integrations start on the paid Pro plan, billed per user
- SAML single sign-on and SCIM user management are only on Business+ and above
Who should stay on Slack
Stay if your team depends on Slack's app directory and Slack Connect with outside companies, or if you need Business+ features like SAML SSO and SCIM and already pay for them. Moving chat history and integrations is a real cost for large workspaces.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a free Slack alternative?
Yes. Zulip Cloud has a free plan with 10,000 searchable messages and 5 GB of storage, Mattermost Entry is free to self-host with a 10,000-message history view, and Zulip can also be self-hosted free.
What are the limits of the free Slack plan?
Messages stay searchable for 90 days, you can connect up to ten apps, huddles are 1:1 only, and Slack Connect external messaging is 1:1 only. Unlimited history and integrations need Pro.
Can I self-host a Slack alternative?
Yes. Zulip and Mattermost can both run on your own server. Mattermost Entry is free for small teams, and Zulip's self-hosted free tier has full features, with push notifications capped at 10 users unless you qualify for free mobile notifications.
Which Slack alternative has the best message search?
Zulip's free plan searches the latest 10,000 messages, and its paid Standard plan removes that cap. Mattermost Professional lists unlimited search history, while Entry views only the latest 10,000 channel messages.