Mattermost vs Telegram
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Open-source, self-hosted team chat.
The verdict
Both Mattermost and Telegram are credible team chat tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Mattermost - Open-source, self-hosted team chat.
Choose Telegram if you'd rather have a higher overall rating (4.6/5). Fast, secure messaging.
Mattermost vs Telegram: side by side
| Dimension | Mattermost | Telegram |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free - $10/user/mo | Free - $4.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Enterprise, Government, DevOps Teams | Communities, Individuals |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Self Hosted | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5Winner |
Mattermost key facts
- Vendor
- Mattermost
- Pricing
- Freemium - Free - $10/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Enterprise, Government, DevOps Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2016
- Headquarters
- Palo Alto, CA, USA
Telegram key facts
- Vendor
- Telegram
- Pricing
- Freemium - Free - $4.99/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Best for
- Communities, Individuals
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2013
- Headquarters
- Dubai, UAE
Frequently asked questions
Is Mattermost better than Telegram?
Neither is universally better - Telegram edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Mattermost or Telegram cheaper?
Mattermost is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free - $10/user/mo. Mattermost starts at free - $10/user/mo; Telegram starts at free - $4.99/mo.
Can Mattermost replace Telegram?
Yes for most teams - both are team chat tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.
Side-by-side software breakdowns and pricing changes - in your inbox monthly.