Mattermost is an open-source, self-hostable online chat service. It is designed as an internal chat for organizations and companies and mostly markets itself as an alternative to Slack.
There are desktop clients for Windows, MacOS, and Linux and mobile apps for iOS and Android.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Desktop operating system:
Windows: Windows 10+
Mac: macOS 11+
Linux: Ubuntu LTS releases 18.04 or later
Server software:
Ubuntu 18.04, Debian Buster, CentOS 6+, CentOS 7+, RedHat Enterprise Linux 7+, Oracle Linux 6+, Oracle Linux 7+.
Using the Mattermost Docker deployment on a Docker-compatible operating system (Linux-based OS) is still recommended.
While community support exists for Fedora, FreeBSD, and Arch Linux, Mattermost does not currently include production support for these platforms.
Database software:
PostgreSQL 11.0+
MySQL 5.7.12, 8.0.12+ (see note below on MySQL 8 support)
For more detailed information, refer to the Mattermost software and hardware requirements.
Mattermost is a versatile and feature-rich messaging and collaboration platform designed for teams and organizations. It serves as an open-source alternative to proprietary messaging tools and provides a secure and customizable environment for communication and collaboration. Here are some common use cases for Mattermost:
Team communication, project collaboration, remote work and virtual teams, open source development, IT operations and DevOps, knowledge sharing and documentation, customer support and service desk, sales and marketing collaboration, education and training, healthcare collaboration, internal announcements and alerts, and custom integrations and bots.
Here are some notable alternatives to Mattermost for team collaboration and messaging:
Slack
Slack is a widely used team collaboration platform that offers real-time messaging, file sharing, and integration with various third-party tools. It is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive app ecosystem.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform integrated into the Microsoft 365 suite. It provides chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and integration with Microsoft applications.
Discord
Discord is a popular communication platform originally designed for gamers but widely adopted for various communities. It offers text and voice chat, as well as features for community building.
Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat is an open-source messaging platform that allows teams to communicate through channels, direct messages, and voice or video calls. It supports customization and integrations.
Cisco Webex Teams
Cisco Webex Teams is a collaboration platform that includes messaging, file sharing, and video conferencing. It is part of the broader Cisco Webex suite.
Zulip
Zulip is an open-source team chat platform that organizes conversations into streams and topics. It supports threaded conversations for more organized communication.
Wire
Wire is a secure messaging and collaboration platform with end-to-end encryption. It offers messaging, voice and video calls, and file sharing.
Flock
Flock is a team collaboration and messaging platform that includes chat, video conferencing, and file sharing. It is designed to enhance team communication and productivity.
Ryver
Ryver combines team communication with task management features. It offers chat, file sharing, and task boards for project collaboration.
Matrix/Riot.im
Matrix is an open standard for decentralized communication, and Riot.im is a client that supports Matrix. It allows for secure and decentralized messaging and collaboration.
Chanty
Chanty is a team chat and collaboration platform that offers messaging, file sharing, and integrations. It is designed to simplify communication within teams.
Miro
Miro is a visual collaboration platform that focuses on online collaboration, including virtual whiteboards, brainstorming, and visual project management.
While several team communication platforms exist, Mattermost carves its own niche, offering distinct advantages and considerations compared to its competitors. Here’s a breakdown of how it stands out:
1. Open-source and Self-hosted:
Unlike Slack or Teams, Mattermost offers an open-source edition and self-hosting option, ensuring data privacy and control. This empowers organizations to customize the platform, integrate with specific tools, and avoid vendor lock-in.
2. Focus on Security and Privacy:
Mattermost boasts robust security features like granular access control, data encryption, and compliance with privacy regulations. This makes it ideal for organizations handling sensitive data or requiring strict data governance.
3. Feature-rich Collaboration Tools:
Beyond basic chat, Mattermost offers features like video conferencing, screen sharing, file sharing, and integrations with project management tools.
This facilitates seamless collaboration within teams and streamlines workflows.
4. Customization and Flexibility:
Mattermost allows extensive customization through plugins, themes, and bots, tailoring the platform to specific team needs and workflows.
This level of control isn’t available in most closed-source options.
5. Developer-friendly and Extensible:
Mattermost provides a well-documented API and SDK, enabling developers to build custom integrations and functionalities. This caters to complex team needs and encourages further platform development.
However, Mattermost also has some potential drawbacks compared to its alternatives:
1. Steeper Learning Curve:
Setting up and customizing a self-hosted Mattermost instance requires more technical expertise than using cloud-based platforms like Slack. This might not be ideal for smaller teams or those with limited technical resources.
2. Smaller Community and Ecosystem:
Compared to Slack or Teams, Mattermost has a smaller user base and community. This translates into fewer readily available plugins and integrations, especially for niche needs.
3. Less User-friendly Interface:
While improving, Mattermost’s interface may feel less intuitive and engaging compared to some competitors. This might affect user adoption and initial learning experience.
Mattermost primarily uses SQL (Structured Query Language) for database interactions.
Here’s why Kamatera stands out as the most compelling option for Mattermost hosting:
Cutting-edge hardware: Kamatera leverages Intel Xeon Platinum processors and NVMe SSD storage, guaranteeing exceptional performance for your solution.
Global network reach: With 21 data centers strategically located across four continents, Kamatera provides low-latency access to your server, regardless of your users’ geographical locations. This minimizes lag and ensures consistent performance for geographically distributed teams.
Elastic infrastructure: Kamatera’s infrastructure seamlessly scales to accommodate your growing needs. You can easily add or remove resources on-demand, without downtime or performance bottlenecks.
Industry-leading security measures: Kamatera prioritizes security by implementing data encryption, access control mechanisms, vulnerability scanning, and compliance with industry standards like PCI DSS and SOC 2.
24/7 Support: Kamatera’s dedicated support team is available 24/7 to assist you with any questions or issues you may encounter with your Mattermost hosting.