Discord vs Mattermost: Complete Comparison (2026)

By Alex Chen, SaaS & Productivity Analystยท8 years of experienceยทUpdated 2026-04-24ยท8 min read

In comparing Discord and Mattermost in 2026, Discord is the stronger choice for developer communities and gaming or hobby teams due to free and feature-rich. Mattermost excels for enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting with full data control. Discord offers Voice channels, Text channels, Stage events starting at $99/server/mo with a free plan. Mattermost provides Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations from $10/user/mo (cloud) with a free tier. For teams prioritizing value, Discord delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 87/100. Discord and Mattermost compete in the team communication segment of the SaaS market, where cloud-native solutions, API integrations, and workflow automation drive enterprise and SMB adoption. Other leading team communication tools include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom Chat. Discord serves 500M+ users globally (founded 2015) while Mattermost reports 800K+ active users (founded 2015).

Discord vs Mattermost at a Glance

Discord
Mattermost
Starting Price
$99/server/mo
$10/user/mo (cloud)
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
User Rating
4.6/5
4.3/5
Best For
Developer communities and gaming or hobby teams.
Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-host...
Users
500M+
800K+
Founded
2015
2015
hiltonsoftware Score
87/100
74/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐ŸŽฎ
Discord
Team Communication
87
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
๐Ÿ”ฉ
Mattermost
Team Communication
74
hiltonsoftware.co Score

What are the main differences between Discord and Mattermost?

Discord and Mattermost differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. Discord leads in 7 of 7 categories.

DiscordMattermost
89Ease of Use79
77Features77
73Value for Money71
73Customer Support66
76Integrations62
75Scalability60
74Learning Curve73

What are the pros and cons of Discord vs Mattermost?

Discord
+Free and feature-rich
+Great voice quality
-Not built for business workflows
-Can feel informal
Mattermost
+Full data control
+Strong security features
-Requires IT to self-host
-UI is less polished than Slack

Which is better, Discord or Mattermost?

After evaluating Discord and Mattermost across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Discord earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 87/100 versus Mattermost at 74/100. Discord stands out for "free and feature-rich" and "great voice quality". Mattermost delivers competitive advantages in "full data control", making Mattermost a viable alternative.

Both Discord and Mattermost offer free plans. Discord paid plans start at $99/server/mo while Mattermost begins at $10/user/mo (cloud). ROI depends on which features justify upgrading.

Bottom line: Choose Discord for developer communities and gaming or hobby teams. Choose Mattermost for enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Both Discord and Mattermost are established team communication platforms.

CHOOSE DISCORD IF:

Developer communities and gaming or hobby teams.

CHOOSE MATTERMOST IF:

Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting.

Discord vs Mattermost: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Discord better than Mattermost in 2026?
Discord outperforms Mattermost in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 87/100 compared to 74/100. Discord excels in Voice channels, Text channels, Stage events, making Discord the better choice for Developer communities and gaming or hobby teams. Mattermost is the stronger option for Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting due to full data control. For teams needing voice channels, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Discord.
How does Discord pricing compare to Mattermost in 2026?
Discord starts at $99/server/mo and includes a free plan. Mattermost starts at $10/user/mo (cloud) and offers a free plan. Discord includes features like Voice channels, Text channels, Stage events. Mattermost provides Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations. Discord serves 500M+ users while Mattermost serves 800K+ users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between Discord and Mattermost?
Discord specializes in Voice channels, Text channels, Stage events, earning a 87/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Mattermost focuses on Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations, scoring 74/100. Discord is best for Developer communities and gaming or hobby teams. Mattermost is best for Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Both Discord and Mattermost serve the Team Communication market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from Discord to Mattermost?
Migrating from Discord to Mattermost is possible since both operate in the Team Communication space. Export data from Discord and verify Mattermost import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Voice channels, Text channels, Stage events (Discord) versus Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations (Mattermost). Running both Discord and Mattermost in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is Discord or Mattermost better for small business?
Both Discord and Mattermost offer free plans. Discord (87/100) is ideal for Developer communities and gaming or hobby teams. Mattermost (74/100) fits Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Evaluate both during trial periods.

Reviewed by Alex Chen, SaaS & Productivity Analyst. Last updated: 2026-04-24. Pricing verified: March 2026.

Read our scoring methodology to understand how the hiltonsoftware Score is calculated.

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