Mattermost
Self-hosted team chat for organizations that want more control.
Latest release (Desktop app): v6.3.0 · released Aug 13, 2026
In short
Slack-style channels, threads and calls that run on your organisation’s own server. The free self-hosted Team Edition is open source; paid editions add enterprise features and are sold through sales. There is no public sign-up for small teams.
Made by: Mattermost, Inc. · Where your data lives: On the server your organisation runs, on its own premises or cloud.
Logo from: mattermost.com
The editor’s take
A solid choice when your organisation can run its own server and wants chat data in-house. Small teams without IT help will find it harder to start.
Best for
Organisations with IT support
Companies and public bodies that need chat on their own infrastructure, with control over retention and access.
Check first
Who will run the server
There is no public sign-up for small teams, and paid tiers are sold through sales with no public prices.
Download & install
Every link goes to the official site, an official app store, or the project’s own GitHub releases.
Direct files from GitHub release v6.3.0: mattermost-desktop-6.3.0-win-x64.msi (119 MB)
Direct files from GitHub release v6.3.0: mattermost-desktop-6.3.0-mac-universal.dmg (216 MB)
Direct files from GitHub release v6.3.0: mattermost-desktop-6.3.0-linux-x86_64.AppImage (129 MB)
Latest release (Desktop app): v6.3.0 · released Aug 13, 2026 · fetched from GitHub on Oct 3, 2026 · Releases on GitHub
Getting started without coding
Plain-language steps based on the official install guide.
You need to run a server (Docker or command line), or ask someone who can.
There is no public sign-up: either you join a server your organisation already runs, or someone has to run a Linux server for you.
Is there an installer?
- Windows Installer
- Mac App store
- Linux Package
- iPhone & iPad App store
- Android App store
No official hosted version. The only hosted option, Mattermost Cloud Enterprise, is sold to enterprises through sales.
Steps for Windows
- Get your organisation’s Mattermost address from your invitation email or IT team.
- Install the desktop app from the Microsoft Store or the .msi on mattermost.com/apps (Windows 11 or later).
- Open the app, enter the server address and log in.
Steps for Mac
- Get your organisation’s Mattermost address.
- Install Mattermost Desktop from the Mac App Store (macOS 14 or later).
- Open it, add the server address and log in.
Steps for Linux
- Get your organisation’s Mattermost address.
- Follow the official Linux guide: the APT repository on Ubuntu/Debian, or Snap, Flatpak or AppImage.
- Open the app, add the server address and log in.
Steps for Your own server
- Running your own server is a technical job: a 64-bit Linux machine, PostgreSQL, a domain name and HTTPS.
- For a quick evaluation, use the official Docker setup (Docker is meant for evaluation only).
- Open the server address, create the first admin account and invite your team.
What we could verify
We checked key factual claims and linked to primary sources so you can confirm the details. Last reviewed Oct 3, 2026
Try before you move
A simple way to see if it fits your needs.
- Invite a few teammates for a weekTwo or three people using it daily will find problems a solo test misses.
- Recreate your busiest channelCheck threads, mentions, file sharing and the integrations you depend on.
- Test search, notifications and mobileSearch an old message, mute a channel and reply from your phone.