Best Google Chat alternatives (2026)
Alternatives to Google Chat include Slack (channel-based messaging with deep integrations), Microsoft Teams (chat plus meetings inside Microsoft 365), Discord (voice-first communities and informal teams), among 5 team chat apps compared here on pricing and features.
Pricing and features verified against each vendor's published information on 2026-09-03. Sources linked below.
At a glance
| Tool | Free plan | Pricing from | Best for | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slack | Yes | Free plan; paid from about $7.25 per user per month billed annually | channel-based messaging with deep integrations | Web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux |
| Microsoft Teams | Yes | Free plan; paid from about $4 per user per month for Teams Essentials, deeper features via Microsoft 365 | chat plus meetings inside Microsoft 365 | Web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows |
| Discord | Yes | Free; Nitro Basic from about $2.99 per month, full Nitro about $9.99 per month | voice-first communities and informal teams | Web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux |
| Mattermost | Yes | Free limited self-hosted edition, Cloud free for up to 10 users; paid Professional from about $10 per user per month, Enterprise quote-based | self-hosted, open-source team messaging | Web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux |
| Rocket.Chat | Yes | Free Starter edition (self-hosted, up to 50 users); paid cloud-hosted plans from about $4 per user per month, Enterprise quote-based | open-source, customisable team chat | Web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux |
See the full comparison
FAQ
- What is the best alternative to Google Chat?
- Slack is the top pick here for channel-based messaging with deep integrations (free plan; paid from about $7.25 per user per month billed annually). Compare the full shortlist below for other team chat apps.
- Do any Google Chat alternatives have a free plan?
- Free-plan options here include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Mattermost, Rocket.Chat. Compare limits before committing.