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Comparison · Team chat software

Rocket.Chat vs Zulip: which is better in 2026?

Rocket.Chat84.0#6 in best team chat softwareZulip90.5#2 in best team chat software

Zulip ranks higher in our list of team chat software (#2 against #6, score 90.5 against 84.0).

How we rank Share

  • 84.0
    Editorial score
    90.5
  • 2
    Platforms
    7
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • Yes
    Open source
    Yes

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 Zulip if you want

Open-source projects and self-hosted team chat.

Open source under Apache-2.0 with apps for every major desktop and phone and a free Standard plan for eligible organizations. Its integration catalog is smaller than Slack's, and self-hosting means running a server.

The main differences

  • Only Zulip runs on Linux.
  • Only Zulip runs on Windows.
  • Only Zulip runs on macOS.
  • Only Zulip runs on iOS.
  • Only Zulip runs on Android.

Side by side

Rocket.ChatZulip
Score84.090.5
Rank in list#6 of 10#2 of 10
PriceFree plan, paid upgradesFree self-managed workspace; commercial plans for organizationsFree plan, paid upgradesFree to self-host; Zulip Cloud has a free Standard plan for eligible groups
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceYesYes
PlatformsWebSelf-hostedWeb, Self-hostedWebmacOSWindowsLinuxiOSAndroidSelf-hostedWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted
Made byRocket.Chat Technologies Corp.Not stated
HostingSelf-hostedZulip Cloud or self-hosted
Best forSelf-hosted chat with commercial support optionsOpen-source projects and self-hosted team chat
Strengths
  • Core software is MIT licensed and self-hostable
  • Web, desktop and mobile apps are available
  • Free self-managed workspace to try
  • Open source under Apache-2.0 and self-hostable
  • Free Standard plan on Zulip Cloud for eligible organizations
  • Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, Android and iOS
Limits
  • Enterprise code sits under a separate license
  • Setup and upkeep are the team's responsibility
  • Smaller app and integration catalog than Slack
  • Self-hosting means running and updating a server
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Rocket.Chat vs Zulip

Is Zulip better than Rocket.Chat?
Zulip ranks higher in our list of team chat software (#2 against #6, score 90.5 against 84.0). Rocket.Chat is best for: self-hosted chat with commercial support options. Zulip is best for: open-source projects and self-hosted team chat.
Which is cheaper, Rocket.Chat or Zulip?
Rocket.Chat: Free self-managed workspace; commercial plans for organizations. Zulip: Free to self-host; Zulip Cloud has a free Standard plan for eligible groups.
Do Rocket.Chat and Zulip run on the same platforms?
Rocket.Chat supports Web, Self-hosted. Zulip supports Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted.

Choosing between the two

Learning Center
1:17Beginner · 4 min readHow 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.1:20Beginner · 6 min readHow 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.

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