Quick Overview
- 1#1: Microsoft Teams - Comprehensive team collaboration platform with chat, video meetings, file sharing, and deep Office integrations.
- 2#2: Slack - Real-time messaging app for teams with channels, integrations, and search to streamline workplace communication.
- 3#3: Google Chat - Intelligent messaging service integrated with Google Workspace for team chats, spaces, and task management.
- 4#4: Discord - Voice, video, and text chat platform with servers, channels, and screensharing for teams and communities.
- 5#5: Mattermost - Open-source, self-hosted Slack alternative for secure team messaging and collaboration.
- 6#6: Rocket.Chat - Open-source chat platform supporting team messaging, video calls, and omnichannel communication.
- 7#7: Zulip - Threaded team chat app designed for organized, asynchronous conversations without notification overload.
- 8#8: Element - Secure, decentralized messaging client powered by the Matrix protocol for team collaboration.
- 9#9: Wire - End-to-end encrypted team chat, voice, and video with compliance features for secure communication.
- 10#10: Ryver - Unified platform combining team chat, task management, and email streams for streamlined workflows.
Our selection prioritizes features, usability, and value, ensuring a balanced mix of robust tools that cater to varying team sizes, security needs, and functional requirements.
Comparison Table
Internal chat tools are critical for seamless team collaboration, and navigating options like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Chat, Discord, Mattermost, and more requires clear insights. This comparison table details key features, integrations, and usability to help readers identify the best fit for their workflow and team size.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Teams Comprehensive team collaboration platform with chat, video meetings, file sharing, and deep Office integrations. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Slack Real-time messaging app for teams with channels, integrations, and search to streamline workplace communication. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Google Chat Intelligent messaging service integrated with Google Workspace for team chats, spaces, and task management. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 4 | Discord Voice, video, and text chat platform with servers, channels, and screensharing for teams and communities. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 5 | Mattermost Open-source, self-hosted Slack alternative for secure team messaging and collaboration. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 6 | Rocket.Chat Open-source chat platform supporting team messaging, video calls, and omnichannel communication. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Zulip Threaded team chat app designed for organized, asynchronous conversations without notification overload. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 8 | Element Secure, decentralized messaging client powered by the Matrix protocol for team collaboration. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 9 | Wire End-to-end encrypted team chat, voice, and video with compliance features for secure communication. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Ryver Unified platform combining team chat, task management, and email streams for streamlined workflows. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.9/10 |
Comprehensive team collaboration platform with chat, video meetings, file sharing, and deep Office integrations.
Real-time messaging app for teams with channels, integrations, and search to streamline workplace communication.
Intelligent messaging service integrated with Google Workspace for team chats, spaces, and task management.
Voice, video, and text chat platform with servers, channels, and screensharing for teams and communities.
Open-source, self-hosted Slack alternative for secure team messaging and collaboration.
Open-source chat platform supporting team messaging, video calls, and omnichannel communication.
Threaded team chat app designed for organized, asynchronous conversations without notification overload.
Secure, decentralized messaging client powered by the Matrix protocol for team collaboration.
End-to-end encrypted team chat, voice, and video with compliance features for secure communication.
Unified platform combining team chat, task management, and email streams for streamlined workflows.
Microsoft Teams
enterpriseComprehensive team collaboration platform with chat, video meetings, file sharing, and deep Office integrations.
Channel-based organization with threaded messaging and live collaboration on Office files
Microsoft Teams is a leading collaboration platform that combines persistent chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and task management into a unified hub for internal team communication. It supports organized channels for topic-based discussions, threaded replies for clarity, and seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive. Designed for enterprise-scale use, it offers robust security, compliance tools, and extensibility through thousands of third-party apps.
Pros
- Deep integration with Microsoft 365 ecosystem for seamless workflows
- Enterprise-grade security, compliance, and admin controls
- Flexible channels, tabs, and bots for organized, customizable chats
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to feature density
- Resource-intensive, may lag on lower-end devices
- Occasional sync issues across platforms
Best For
Large enterprises and teams embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem needing scalable, secure internal communication.
Pricing
Free for basic use; business plans start at $6/user/month via Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Slack
enterpriseReal-time messaging app for teams with channels, integrations, and search to streamline workplace communication.
Expansive App Directory with thousands of integrations for customizing workflows
Slack is a leading cloud-based messaging platform designed for team collaboration and internal communication. It organizes conversations into channels, supports direct messaging, threaded replies, file sharing, and powerful search across message history. With extensive integrations, Huddles for quick calls, and tools like Canvas for documentation, it streamlines daily workflows for distributed teams.
Pros
- Vast ecosystem of over 2,600 integrations for seamless workflow automation
- Intuitive channel and thread organization with advanced search capabilities
- Huddles and Clips for spontaneous audio/video communication and async updates
Cons
- Notification overload and channel sprawl in large teams
- Free plan limits message history to 90 days
- Higher costs for enterprise-scale features and compliance needs
Best For
Mid-to-large teams needing a feature-rich, highly integrable platform for organized internal chats and productivity.
Pricing
Free plan; Pro at $7.25/user/month (annual); Business+ at $12.50/user/month (annual); Enterprise Grid custom.
Google Chat
enterpriseIntelligent messaging service integrated with Google Workspace for team chats, spaces, and task management.
Deep, native integration with Google Workspace tools for effortless file sharing and video huddles
Google Chat is a team collaboration platform that enables real-time messaging, organized Spaces for group discussions, and direct chats within organizations. It integrates deeply with Google Workspace tools like Gmail, Drive, Docs, and Meet, facilitating file sharing, task management, and video huddles without leaving the app. With threaded replies, powerful search, and bot support, it's designed for efficient internal communication in Google-centric environments.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace apps like Drive and Meet
- Powerful search across chats, files, and history
- Cost-effective with robust free tier and scalable business plans
Cons
- Limited customization options compared to Slack or Teams
- Interface can feel cluttered for non-Google users
- Fewer third-party app integrations outside Google ecosystem
Best For
Organizations already using Google Workspace seeking an integrated, low-cost internal chat solution.
Pricing
Free for personal use; included in Google Workspace Business plans starting at $6/user/month.
Discord
enterpriseVoice, video, and text chat platform with servers, channels, and screensharing for teams and communities.
Always-on voice channels with low-latency, high-quality audio and seamless stage events for live discussions
Discord is a multi-purpose communication platform that excels in real-time text, voice, and video chat, organized into customizable servers with channels and categories. Originally built for gamers, it has evolved into a popular tool for internal team collaboration, supporting bots, integrations, screen sharing, and threaded discussions. For internal chat software, it provides robust free features but may lack enterprise-grade compliance and admin controls compared to dedicated business tools.
Pros
- Exceptional free tier with unlimited messaging, voice/video channels, and high-quality calls
- Highly customizable with roles, permissions, bots, and integrations for workflows
- Excellent real-time collaboration tools like screen sharing, activities, and threads
Cons
- Gaming-oriented interface can feel cluttered or unprofessional for enterprise teams
- Limited built-in compliance, audit logs, and security features for regulated industries
- Mobile app and desktop client occasionally lag or have notification issues in large servers
Best For
Tech startups, gaming companies, and creative teams needing a free, flexible, and fun internal chat platform with strong voice/video capabilities.
Pricing
Free core features; Nitro ($9.99/month per user) for personal perks; Server Boosts ($4.99-$9.99/month per booster) for premium server features like higher bitrate and custom emojis.
Mattermost
enterpriseOpen-source, self-hosted Slack alternative for secure team messaging and collaboration.
Self-hosted deployment with full data sovereignty and no vendor lock-in
Mattermost is an open-source, self-hosted platform for secure team messaging and collaboration, serving as a privacy-focused alternative to Slack. It supports channels, direct messages, threaded discussions, file sharing, and integrations with tools like GitHub and Jira. Designed for enterprises, it emphasizes data sovereignty, compliance (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR), and customizable workflows through plugins and APIs.
Pros
- Fully self-hosted for complete data control and security
- Extensive integrations and plugin ecosystem for DevOps workflows
- Strong compliance features for regulated industries
Cons
- Self-hosting setup requires technical expertise
- UI and mobile app less polished than cloud-native competitors
- Some enterprise features require paid upgrades
Best For
Enterprises and regulated organizations prioritizing on-premises deployment and data privacy for internal team communication.
Pricing
Free open-source Starter edition; Professional at $10/user/month (annual); Enterprise with custom pricing for advanced features.
Rocket.Chat
enterpriseOpen-source chat platform supporting team messaging, video calls, and omnichannel communication.
Comprehensive self-hosting with full on-premises control and no vendor lock-in
Rocket.Chat is an open-source, self-hosted team communication platform designed for secure internal chat and collaboration. It offers features like channels, direct messaging, video calls, file sharing, and extensive integrations with tools such as GitHub and Jira. Ideal for organizations seeking full data control without relying on cloud services, it supports on-premises deployment and customization.
Pros
- Fully open-source and self-hostable for complete data sovereignty
- Rich feature set including E2E encryption, video conferencing, and 500+ integrations
- Highly customizable with themes, plugins, and API access
Cons
- Self-hosting requires significant technical setup and maintenance
- Performance can degrade in large-scale deployments without optimization
- Some advanced admin features locked behind paid Enterprise edition
Best For
Mid-to-large organizations prioritizing on-premises deployment, privacy, and customization for internal team communications.
Pricing
Free Community edition; Pro starts at $4/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
Zulip
enterpriseThreaded team chat app designed for organized, asynchronous conversations without notification overload.
Topic-based threading that structures every conversation for effortless reference and context preservation
Zulip is an open-source team chat platform that emphasizes organized communication through its unique threading model, where conversations are structured into streams (channels) and topics for easy navigation and reference. It supports real-time messaging, file sharing, video calls via integrations, and powerful full-text search across all history. Ideal for internal use, it offers both self-hosted and cloud-hosted options, making it suitable for organizations prioritizing long-term, searchable discussions over fast-paced linear chats.
Pros
- Exceptional topic-based threading keeps conversations organized and reduces noise
- Open-source with free self-hosting option and no message limits
- Powerful search and unlimited message history for knowledge retention
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for users accustomed to linear chat apps like Slack
- UI feels less polished and modern compared to commercial competitors
- Fewer native integrations and a smaller ecosystem of third-party apps
Best For
Distributed teams or organizations that need highly structured, searchable internal discussions without vendor lock-in.
Pricing
Free open-source self-hosting; Zulip Cloud Standard plan at $6.67/user/month (billed annually) with unlimited history.
Element
enterpriseSecure, decentralized messaging client powered by the Matrix protocol for team collaboration.
Matrix federation for decentralized communication across independent servers without central points of failure
Element is a secure, open-source messaging platform based on the Matrix protocol, designed for decentralized, end-to-end encrypted communication. It offers features like team chats, spaces for organizing channels, voice/video calls, file sharing, and integrations via bots and widgets, ideal for internal collaboration. Organizations can self-host their own Matrix server (like Synapse) for complete data control and compliance.
Pros
- End-to-end encryption by default for all communications
- Fully self-hostable with data sovereignty
- Open-source extensibility via Matrix protocol and integrations
Cons
- UI feels less polished and modern than Slack or Teams
- Self-hosting requires technical expertise and maintenance
- Federation features can add unnecessary complexity for purely internal use
Best For
Privacy-focused organizations or teams needing a secure, self-hosted chat solution without vendor lock-in.
Pricing
Core software is free and open-source; Element Enterprise offers managed hosting and support starting at custom pricing (typically $5-10/user/month).
Wire
enterpriseEnd-to-end encrypted team chat, voice, and video with compliance features for secure communication.
MLS (Messaging Layer Security) enabling secure, asynchronous encryption across multiple devices without trusting central servers
Wire is a secure messaging and collaboration platform designed for teams and enterprises, offering end-to-end encrypted chat, voice/video calls, file sharing, and conferencing. It emphasizes privacy with features like self-hosting options, MLS (Messaging Layer Security) for multi-device sync, and compliance tools for regulated industries. Ideal for internal communication, it supports guest access, advanced search, and federated servers while maintaining a clean, intuitive interface.
Pros
- Top-tier end-to-end encryption and MLS protocol for secure multi-device use
- Self-hosting and on-premises deployment options for full data control
- Strong compliance features including GDPR, ISO 27001, and federated architecture
Cons
- Fewer third-party integrations and app ecosystem compared to Slack or Teams
- Enterprise pricing can be steep without volume discounts
- Limited advanced automation or bot support out-of-the-box
Best For
Security-conscious enterprises and regulated industries needing compliant, private internal chat with self-hosting capabilities.
Pricing
Free for personal use; Pro at €5.85/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing with self-hosting and advanced support.
Ryver
enterpriseUnified platform combining team chat, task management, and email streams for streamlined workflows.
Email-to-Topic integration that turns emails into persistent, collaborative chat threads
Ryver is a versatile team communication platform that combines persistent chat rooms (called Topics), task management, and seamless email integration for internal collaboration. It allows teams to organize discussions into structured topics, assign tasks with due dates directly in chats, and automatically convert incoming emails into chat threads for easy tracking and response. Ideal for replacing fragmented email chains with a unified chat-based workflow, Ryver supports file sharing, search, and mobile apps.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited users and core features
- Unique email-to-chat integration reduces inbox overload
- Integrated task management within chats boosts productivity
Cons
- Dated user interface compared to modern competitors like Slack
- Fewer third-party integrations and app ecosystem
- Limited advanced customization and analytics
Best For
Small to medium teams transitioning from email-heavy workflows to chat-based internal communication on a budget.
Pricing
Free plan for unlimited users; Premium from $3/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top internal chat tools reveals Microsoft Teams as the standout choice, combining comprehensive collaboration features with tight productivity integrations. Slack and Google Chat closely follow, with Slack excelling in channel-based organization and Google Chat thriving in Workspace ecosystems—each offering unique strengths. Ultimately, the best tool depends on team needs, but Teams leads as the all-encompassing solution, balancing functionality and ease of use.
Don't miss out on upgrading your team's communication—explore Microsoft Teams to experience its unified platform and foster more efficient, connected workflows.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison