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Comparison · Team chat software

Zoho Cliq vs Zulip: which is better in 2026?

Zoho Cliq85.0#5 in best team chat softwareZulip90.5#2 in best team chat software

Zulip ranks higher in our list of team chat software (#2 against #5, score 90.5 against 85.0).

How we rank Share

  • 85.0
    Editorial score
    90.5
  • 3
    Platforms
    7
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • No
    Open source
    Yes

Which should you choose?

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.

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.
  • Zulip is open source; Zoho Cliq is not.

Side by side

Zoho CliqZulip
Score85.090.5
Rank in list#5 of 10#2 of 10
PriceFree plan, paid upgradesFree chat plan for teams of any size; paid Standard planFree plan, paid upgradesFree to self-host; Zulip Cloud has a free Standard plan for eligible groups
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceNoYes
PlatformsWebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, AndroidWebmacOSWindowsLinuxiOSAndroidSelf-hostedWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted
Made byNot statedNot stated
HostingHosted by ZohoZulip Cloud or self-hosted
Best forSmall teams already using Zoho business appsOpen-source projects and self-hosted team chat
Strengths
  • Free chat plan offered to teams of any size
  • Integrates with other Zoho business apps
  • Meetings with screen share included
  • 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
  • External channels and call recording need a paid plan
  • Smaller third-party app catalog than Slack
  • Smaller app and integration catalog than Slack
  • Self-hosting means running and updating a server
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Zoho Cliq vs Zulip

Is Zulip better than Zoho Cliq?
Zulip ranks higher in our list of team chat software (#2 against #5, score 90.5 against 85.0). Zoho Cliq is best for: small teams already using Zoho business apps. Zulip is best for: open-source projects and self-hosted team chat.
Which is cheaper, Zoho Cliq or Zulip?
Zoho Cliq: Free chat plan for teams of any size; paid Standard plan. Zulip: Free to self-host; Zulip Cloud has a free Standard plan for eligible groups.
Do Zoho Cliq and Zulip run on the same platforms?
Zoho Cliq supports Web, iOS, Android. 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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