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Zulip

Open-source team chat that you can host yourself or use in the cloud

90.5
Score in best team chat software
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Ranked 2 of 10 in best team chat software

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.

Best for Open-source projects and self-hosted team chat

About Zulip

Zulip is a team chat app built around organized conversations. Its site describes it as organized team chat for distributed teams, with desktop and mobile apps, integrations, and an API. Teams can use Zulip Cloud, the hosted service, or run their own server, and the company says you can move between the two with export and import tools.

Zulip's software is 100 percent open source according to its plans page, and the repository is licensed under Apache-2.0. Many organizations are eligible for a free Standard plan on Zulip Cloud, and self-hosting costs nothing beyond your own servers. Compared with Slack, Zulip has a smaller app catalog, but it gives teams the code and the choice of where data lives, which suits open-source projects, research groups and education.

Key features

  • Open source, Apache-2.0 licensed
  • Self-hosted or Zulip Cloud
  • Desktop, mobile and terminal apps
  • Export and import between hosts

Strengths

  • 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

  • Smaller app and integration catalog than Slack
  • Self-hosting means running and updating a server

Where Zulip ranks

How Zulip compares

ProductScorePricePlatformsHosting
#1Slack93.0Free plan, paid upgradesWebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidHosted by Slack
#2Zulip90.5Free plan, paid upgradesWebmacOSWindowsLinuxiOSAndroidSelf-hostedZulip Cloud or self-hosted
#3Microsoft Teams89.0Free plan, paid upgradesWindowsmacOSiOSAndroidWebHosted by Microsoft
#4Mattermost88.5Free plan, paid upgradesWebSelf-hostedSelf-hosted or private cloud
#5Zoho Cliq85.0Free plan, paid upgradesWebiOSAndroidHosted by Zoho

The full comparison table for best team chat software has all 10 products.

Alternatives to Zulip

All 9 alternatives

Compare Zulip

Questions about Zulip

Is Zulip free?
Zulip can be used without paying: Free to self-host; Zulip Cloud has a free Standard plan for eligible groups. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
Is Zulip open source?
Yes. Zulip publishes its source code under the Apache-2.0 license.
Which platforms does Zulip support?
Zulip is available on: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted.
What is Zulip best for?
Open-source projects and self-hosted team chat. In our ranking of team chat software it is number 2 of 10 with a score of 90.5.
What are the best alternatives to Zulip?
The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Slack, Microsoft Teams, Mattermost, Zoho Cliq.

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Ranked #2 of 10 team chat software on listme.name
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