Comparison · Team chat software
Rocket.Chat vs Zoho Cliq: which is better in 2026?
Zoho Cliq ranks higher in our list of team chat software (#5 against #6, score 85.0 against 84.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.
- 84.0Editorial score85.0
- 2Platforms3
- YesFree to useYes
- YesOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
Choose Rocket.Chat if you want
Self-hosted chat with commercial support options.
Open-source core under MIT, self-hostable, with web, desktop and mobile apps and commercial plans for government and defense buyers. Its enterprise code is under a separate license, and setup is left to the team.
Choose Zoho Cliq if you want
Small teams already using Zoho business apps.
A free chat plan for teams of any size, with meetings and iOS and Android apps. External channels and call recording need the paid Standard plan, and its catalog is smaller than Slack's.
The main differences
- Only Zoho Cliq runs on iOS.
- Only Zoho Cliq runs on Android.
- Rocket.Chat is open source; Zoho Cliq is not.
Side by side
 Rocket.Chat |  Zoho Cliq | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 84.0 | 85.0 |
| Rank in list | #6 of 10 | #5 of 10 |
| Price | Free plan, paid upgradesFree self-managed workspace; commercial plans for organizations | Free plan, paid upgradesFree chat plan for teams of any size; paid Standard plan |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Platforms | WebSelf-hostedWeb, Self-hosted | WebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, Android |
| Made by | Rocket.Chat Technologies Corp. | Not stated |
| Hosting | Self-hosted | Hosted by Zoho |
| Best for | Self-hosted chat with commercial support options | Small teams already using Zoho business apps |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Rocket.Chat vs Zoho Cliq
- Is Zoho Cliq better than Rocket.Chat?
- Zoho Cliq ranks higher in our list of team chat software (#5 against #6, score 85.0 against 84.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Rocket.Chat is best for: self-hosted chat with commercial support options. Zoho Cliq is best for: small teams already using Zoho business apps.
- Which is cheaper, Rocket.Chat or Zoho Cliq?
- Rocket.Chat: Free self-managed workspace; commercial plans for organizations. Zoho Cliq: Free chat plan for teams of any size; paid Standard plan.
- Do Rocket.Chat and Zoho Cliq run on the same platforms?
- Rocket.Chat supports Web, Self-hosted. Zoho Cliq supports Web, iOS, Android.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.Read more about Rocket.Chat and Zoho Cliq
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