What is the main difference between Macro Chat and Stoat?

Macro Chat and Stoat are both team chat & messaging tools but differ in their approach, features, and target audience. Compare their GitHub stats, technology stack, and community adoption to make the best choice.

Which is better: Macro Chat or Stoat?

The choice between Macro Chat and Stoat depends on your specific needs, technical requirements, and team preferences. Both are quality open source solutions with active communities.

Can I migrate from Macro Chat to Stoat?

Migration between Macro Chat and Stoat is possible but requires careful planning. Consider data export/import capabilities, feature parity, and potential workflow changes.

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Macro Chat vs Stoat

Learn how Macro Chat and Stoat differ in their key features, development activity, technology stack and community adoption, so you can decide which of these team chat & messaging tools is best for you.

Macro Chat

Team chat app with inline threads, @mention-based sharing, a unified inbox for chat and email, and an AI agent that works across your full workspace.

Visit Macro Chat Read more

Activity score
82/100
Stars
585
Forks
115
Last commit
49 minutes ago
Repository age
9 months
Version
v2026.7.23.0
License
AGPL-3.0
Repository
macro-inc/macro

Stoat

Self-hostable group chat with servers, channels, voice, and moderation tools. No ads, no data mining, built under EU privacy law.

Visit Stoat Read more

Activity score
87/100
Stars
3,173
Forks
367
Last commit
4 hours ago
Repository age
5 years
Version
v0.14.3
Repository
stoatchat/stoatchat

Detailed Comparison

Both Macro Chat and Stoat have their unique strengths and serve similar purposes effectively. Consider your specific needs regarding popularity, activity, maturity, licensing and features when making your decision.

Stoat wins

Community & Popularity

Stoat significantly outpaces Macro Chat in community adoption with 3,173 stars compared to 585 stars on GitHub. This 5.4x difference suggests Stoat has a much larger and more active community. In terms of developer contributions, Stoat has 367 forks, indicating moderate developer engagement.

Comparable

Development Activity

Both projects show recent activity, with Macro Chat last updated 49 minutes ago and Stoat 4 hours ago.

Stoat wins

Project Maturity

Stoat has been in development longer, starting 5 years ago, compared to Macro Chat which began 9 months ago. This 4.5-year head start suggests Stoat may have more mature features and established processes.

Macro Chat wins

Licensing

Macro Chat is licensed under AGPL-3.0, while Stoat's license terms are not publicly specified.

Comparable

Use Cases & Features

Both tools serve similar use cases in Team Chat & Messaging. However, they also have distinct specializations: Stoat extends into Encrypted Communication.