Rocket.Chat vs Slack

Self-host swap-in for Slack. · Self-host Slack · Rocket.Chat on os-alt

Rocket.Chat is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Slack — license MIT, 15min docker-compose (Mongo + Rocket.Chat) to stand up, and $10 vps — mongo is the heavier process; tight on $5. Compare against Slack's $8.75/user/mo on Pro; message history capped on free tier below.

	Rocket.Chatopen-source	Slackpaid SaaS
Category	Team chat	Team chat
License / pricing	`MIT`	$8.75/user/mo on Pro; message history capped on free tier
Starting price	$0 self-host	$8.75/user/mo
GitHub	RocketChat/Rocket.Chat ★ 45.3k · last commit todayalive	closed source
Setup time	15min docker-compose (Mongo + Rocket.Chat)	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$10 VPS — Mongo is the heavier process; tight on $5.	from $8.75/user/mo ($8.75/user/mo on Pro; message history capped on free tier)

Switching from Slack to Rocket.Chat

Admin → Import → Slack. Upload Slack export .zip. Channels, users, messages and files import; private DMs do not unless the export includes them (paid Slack tier required).

Good fit for: Communities and support orgs (livechat widget is built in).
Weak at: Default UI feels heavier than Mattermost; Mongo backups need attention.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to Slack

Mattermost
AGPL-3.0 (Team Edition) / Source Available (Enterprise)15min docker-compose$5 VPS handles ~50 daily-active users on the Postgres + Mattermost server combo.
Zulip
Apache-2.030-60min (their installer script on Ubuntu 22.04)$10 VPS minimum (their installer wants 2GB+ RAM).

Rocket.Chat also replaces

Microsoft Teams— Team chat + video meetings

In a terminal? npx os-alt slack prints Slack's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Rocket.Chat a free alternative to Slack?

Yes — Rocket.Chat is open source under MIT. Self-host cost: $10 VPS — Mongo is the heavier process; tight on $5.. Slack starts at $8.75/user/mo ($8.75/user/mo on Pro; message history capped on free tier).

How long does Rocket.Chat take to set up vs Slack?

Self-hosting Rocket.Chat: 15min docker-compose (Mongo + Rocket.Chat). Slack is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Rocket.Chat good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Communities and support orgs (livechat widget is built in).. Weak at: Default UI feels heavier than Mattermost; Mongo backups need attention..