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Open Source Slack Alternatives

A curated collection of the 8 best open source alternatives to Slack.

The best open source alternative to Slack is Rocket.Chat. If that doesn't suit you, we've compiled a ranked list of other open source Slack alternatives to help you find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Slack are: Mattermost, Zulip, Nextcloud and Huly.

Slack alternatives are mainly Communication Tools but may also be Messaging Tools or File Hosting Software. Browse these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Slack.

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Open-source chat solution offering real-time messaging, video calls, and file sharing for teams of all sizes.

Screenshot of Rocket.Chat website

Rocket.Chat is a powerful, open-source communication platform designed to revolutionize the way teams collaborate. With its robust features and flexible deployment options, Rocket.Chat caters to organizations of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.

Key benefits of Rocket.Chat include:

  • Enhanced Security: Self-hosted options and end-to-end encryption ensure your data remains private and secure.
  • Customization: Tailor the platform to your needs with a wide range of integrations and API access.
  • Scalability: Easily grow your communication infrastructure as your team expands.
  • Multi-platform Support: Access Rocket.Chat from web, desktop, or mobile devices for seamless communication.
  • Rich Media Sharing: Share files, images, and videos effortlessly within conversations.
  • Video Conferencing: Conduct face-to-face meetings directly within the platform.
  • Channel Organization: Create public and private channels for efficient team collaboration.
  • Omnichannel Communication: Integrate customer support channels like email, SMS, and social media.

Whether you're looking to improve internal team communication, streamline customer support, or create a community platform, Rocket.Chat offers the tools and flexibility to meet your unique needs. Experience the power of open-source communication and take control of your team's collaboration today.

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Mattermost provides a flexible, open-source platform for secure team collaboration, designed for organizations with strict security and privacy requirements.

Screenshot of Mattermost website

Mattermost is an open-source collaboration platform built for organizations that require high levels of privacy, security and control over their communications. Some key features and benefits include:

  • Flexible deployment options: Can be self-hosted on-premises, in private clouds, or air-gapped environments
  • Advanced security and compliance: Built-in access controls, audit logging, and data retention policies
  • Customizable and extensible: Open APIs and integrations to connect with existing tools and workflows
  • Channels for team communication: Secure messaging, file sharing, voice/video calls
  • Playbooks for process management: Checklist-based workflows to standardize repeatable processes
  • AI-powered features: Ability to integrate AI capabilities while maintaining full data control
  • Mobile and desktop apps: Access from any device with native mobile apps

Mattermost is designed for industries like defense, government, financial services, and critical infrastructure that have stringent requirements around data sovereignty and security. It provides a self-hosted alternative to cloud-based tools, giving organizations complete control over their collaboration environment.

The platform aims to improve team productivity and accelerate mission-critical work by providing a centralized hub for communication, process management, and integrations. With its focus on security and flexibility, Mattermost enables organizations to collaborate effectively even in highly regulated or air-gapped environments.

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Zulip is an open-source team chat app that uses threaded conversations to keep communication organized and efficient for teams of all sizes.

Screenshot of Zulip website

Zulip is a powerful, open-source team chat application designed to revolutionize how distributed teams communicate. Unlike traditional chat tools that can feel chaotic and stressful, Zulip's unique threading model organizes conversations by topic, making it easy to manage multiple workstreams and stay on top of important discussions.

Key features and benefits:

  1. Threaded Conversations: Zulip's core feature is its topic-based threading, which allows teams to have multiple conversations simultaneously without losing context or creating confusion.

  2. Efficient Communication: The organized structure helps team members quickly catch up on relevant discussions and reduces information overload.

  3. Flexible Deployment: Choose between Zulip Cloud for convenience or self-host the 100% open-source software for ultimate control and compliance.

  4. Cross-Platform Support: Access Zulip from desktop and mobile apps, ensuring seamless communication across devices.

  5. Rich Integrations: Connect Zulip with your favorite tools and services to streamline workflows.

  6. Powerful Search: Easily find past conversations and shared knowledge with Zulip's robust search functionality.

  7. Open Source: Benefit from a transparent, community-driven development process and the ability to customize the platform to your needs.

Zulip is ideal for various use cases:

  • Businesses: From small startups to large enterprises, Zulip helps teams manage projects and communicate more effectively.
  • Education and Research: Universities and research groups use Zulip to facilitate collaboration across departments and continents.
  • Open Source Projects: Many open-source communities rely on Zulip to engage contributors and make faster decisions.
  • Events and Conferences: Organizers use Zulip to create interactive spaces for attendees before, during, and after events.

With its focus on organized communication, Zulip empowers teams to work more efficiently, make decisions faster, and create a searchable knowledge repository as a natural byproduct of their conversations. Whether you're managing a small team or coordinating thousands of contributors, Zulip provides the structure and flexibility needed to succeed in today's distributed work environment.

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Nextcloud offers on-premises file sync, sharing and collaboration platform with advanced security and privacy features.

Screenshot of Nextcloud website

Nextcloud is an open source, self-hosted file sync and share platform that allows organizations to store, share and collaborate on files securely.

Key features include:

  • File sync and sharing across devices
  • Real-time document collaboration
  • Video calls and chat
  • Calendar, contacts and email integration
  • Advanced security and access control
  • On-premises hosting for full data control
  • Customizable and extensible through apps

Nextcloud is designed for organizations that need secure file sharing and collaboration while maintaining control over their data. It can be deployed on-premises or with a trusted cloud provider.

Some key benefits of Nextcloud:

  • Improved productivity through integrated collaboration tools
  • Enhanced security with end-to-end encryption and granular permissions
  • Compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR
  • Lower costs compared to proprietary cloud solutions
  • Flexibility to customize and extend functionality

Nextcloud is used by thousands of organizations worldwide, including major enterprises, educational institutions and government agencies. It provides a powerful yet easy-to-use platform for secure content collaboration.

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An open-source platform that combines project management, communication, and documentation tools for seamless teamwork.

Screenshot of Huly website

Huly is an innovative open-source platform designed to revolutionize team collaboration and productivity. It serves as a comprehensive replacement for multiple tools, integrating features similar to Linear, Jira, Slack, and Notion into a single, cohesive environment.

Key features of Huly include:

  1. Project Management:
    • Team Planner for visualizing tasks across the team
    • Customizable workspaces to fit various team needs
    • Integration with GitHub for seamless issue tracking
  2. Communication:
    • Built-in chat functionality for direct messages and group conversations
    • Virtual office spaces with high-quality audio and video conferencing
    • Ability to invite guests for meetings without leaving the workspace
  3. Documentation:
    • Collaborative document editing with real-time updates
    • Rich text formatting, image embedding, and code block support
    • Version history tracking
  4. Productivity Enhancements:
    • Keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation
    • Time-blocking features for focused work
    • Instant notifications to stay updated on changes
  5. Knowledge Management:
    • Huly MetaBrain for building a dynamic knowledge base
    • AI capabilities (coming soon) to leverage team knowledge
  6. Customization and Integration:
    • Ability to create custom virtual office spaces and meeting rooms
    • Two-way synchronization with GitHub for seamless project tracking
    • Support for multiple repositories and milestone migration

Huly stands out with its all-in-one approach, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools and providing a unified platform for teams to collaborate effectively. Its open-source nature also allows for transparency and community-driven improvements.

Whether you're managing projects, conducting virtual meetings, or creating team documentation, Huly offers a comprehensive solution to enhance productivity and streamline workflows for modern teams.

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Open-source platform for encrypted communication, file sharing, and collaboration based on the Matrix protocol.

Screenshot of Element website

Element is a powerful, open-source communication platform that puts privacy and security at the forefront. Built on the decentralized Matrix protocol, Element offers a comprehensive suite of features for both personal and professional use.

Key benefits of Element include:

  • End-to-end encryption: Ensure your messages, calls, and shared files remain private and secure.
  • Decentralized architecture: Choose your own server or self-host for complete control over your data.
  • Cross-platform compatibility: Seamlessly sync conversations across desktop, web, iOS, and Android devices.
  • Rich collaboration tools: Enjoy group chats, voice and video calls, file sharing, and integrations with popular productivity apps.
  • Interoperability: Connect with users on other Matrix-based platforms, fostering open communication.
  • Customization options: Tailor the interface and features to meet your specific needs or brand requirements.
  • Community-driven development: Benefit from continuous improvements and innovations from a global developer community.

Whether you're an individual seeking secure messaging or an organization looking for a flexible, scalable communication solution, Element provides the tools you need to stay connected while maintaining control over your data and privacy.

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All-in-one workspace with chat, video calls, task management, and file sharing for seamless team collaboration and productivity.

Screenshot of Twake website

Twake is a comprehensive open-source collaboration platform designed to revolutionize the way teams work together. With its robust set of features, Twake provides a centralized hub for all your team's communication and productivity needs.

Key benefits of Twake include:

  • Unified Communication: Seamlessly switch between text chat, voice calls, and video conferences, keeping your team connected regardless of location.
  • Task Management: Organize projects, assign tasks, and track progress with intuitive boards and lists, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
  • File Sharing and Collaboration: Easily share, edit, and collaborate on documents in real-time, with version control and permissions management.
  • Calendar Integration: Coordinate schedules, set reminders, and manage events effortlessly within the same platform.
  • Customizable Workspaces: Tailor your workspace with apps and integrations to fit your team's unique workflow and requirements.
  • Enhanced Security: Benefit from end-to-end encryption and the ability to self-host, giving you full control over your data.
  • Open-Source Advantage: Leverage the power of community-driven development, with the flexibility to modify and extend the platform as needed.

Twake's intuitive interface and comprehensive feature set make it an ideal solution for teams of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. By consolidating multiple tools into one platform, Twake eliminates the need for constant app-switching, boosting productivity and fostering a more cohesive team environment. Experience the future of team collaboration with Twake's powerful, secure, and customizable workspace.

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An open-source email client that uses AI to categorize, prioritize, and streamline your inbox, helping you focus on what matters most.

Screenshot of UnInbox website

UnInbox is a revolutionary open-source email client designed to transform the way you handle your digital correspondence. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, UnInbox brings order to inbox chaos and helps you reclaim control over your email workflow.

Key features and benefits:

  • AI-Powered Categorization: UnInbox automatically sorts your emails into intuitive categories, making it easy to find and manage messages.
  • Smart Prioritization: The intelligent system learns your preferences and highlights important emails, ensuring you never miss critical communications.
  • Customizable Workflows: Create personalized rules and filters to automate repetitive tasks and streamline your email management process.
  • Distraction-Free Mode: Focus on your most important tasks with a clean, minimalist interface that eliminates unnecessary clutter.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Access your organized inbox seamlessly across desktop and mobile devices.
  • Privacy-Focused: As an open-source solution, UnInbox prioritizes user privacy and data security.
  • Integration Friendly: Connect UnInbox with your favorite productivity tools for a seamless workflow.
  • Community-Driven Development: Benefit from continuous improvements and features contributed by a passionate open-source community.

UnInbox empowers you to spend less time managing emails and more time on what truly matters. Experience the future of email management with UnInbox – where intelligence meets inbox efficiency.

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