Google Chat vs Mattermost: Complete Comparison (2026)

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

In comparing Google Chat and Mattermost in 2026, Google Chat is the stronger choice for google workspace users wanting integrated messaging due to free with google workspace. Mattermost excels for enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting with full data control. Google Chat offers Spaces, Direct messaging, Google Workspace integration starting at $6/user/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, Google Chat delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 79/100. Google Chat 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, Discord. Google Chat serves 6B+ (Workspace) users globally (founded 2017) while Mattermost reports 800K+ active users (founded 2015).

Google Chat vs Mattermost at a Glance

Google Chat
Mattermost
Starting Price
$6/user/mo
$10/user/mo (cloud)
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
User Rating
4.1/5
4.3/5
Best For
Google Workspace users wanting integrated messagin...
Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-host...
Users
6B+ (Workspace)
800K+
Founded
2017
2015
hiltonsoftware Score
79/100
74/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐Ÿ’ญ
Google Chat
Team Communication
79
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
๐Ÿ”ฉ
Mattermost
Team Communication
74
hiltonsoftware.co Score

What are the main differences between Google Chat and Mattermost?

Google Chat and Mattermost differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. Google Chat leads in 3 of 7 categories.

Google ChatMattermost
77Ease of Use79
71Features77
68Value for Money71
67Customer Support66
67Integrations62
65Scalability60
68Learning Curve73

What are the pros and cons of Google Chat vs Mattermost?

Google Chat
+Free with Google Workspace
+Seamless Gmail and Drive integration
-Feature set lags Slack
-Less third-party app ecosystem
Mattermost
+Full data control
+Strong security features
-Requires IT to self-host
-UI is less polished than Slack

Which is better, Google Chat or Mattermost?

After evaluating Google Chat and Mattermost across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Google Chat earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 79/100 versus Mattermost at 74/100. Google Chat stands out for "free with google workspace" and "seamless gmail and drive integration". Mattermost delivers competitive advantages in "full data control", making Mattermost a viable alternative.

Both Google Chat and Mattermost offer free plans. Google Chat paid plans start at $6/user/mo while Mattermost begins at $10/user/mo (cloud). ROI depends on which features justify upgrading.

Bottom line: Choose Google Chat for google workspace users wanting integrated messaging. Choose Mattermost for enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Both Google Chat and Mattermost are established team communication platforms.

CHOOSE GOOGLE CHAT IF:

Google Workspace users wanting integrated messaging.

CHOOSE MATTERMOST IF:

Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting.

Google Chat vs Mattermost: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google Chat better than Mattermost in 2026?
Google Chat outperforms Mattermost in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 79/100 compared to 74/100. Google Chat excels in Spaces, Direct messaging, Google Workspace integration, making Google Chat the better choice for Google Workspace users wanting integrated messaging. Mattermost is the stronger option for Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting due to full data control. For teams needing spaces, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Google Chat.
How does Google Chat pricing compare to Mattermost in 2026?
Google Chat starts at $6/user/mo and includes a free plan. Mattermost starts at $10/user/mo (cloud) and offers a free plan. Google Chat includes features like Spaces, Direct messaging, Google Workspace integration. Mattermost provides Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations. Google Chat serves 6B+ (Workspace) users while Mattermost serves 800K+ users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between Google Chat and Mattermost?
Google Chat specializes in Spaces, Direct messaging, Google Workspace integration, earning a 79/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Mattermost focuses on Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations, scoring 74/100. Google Chat is best for Google Workspace users wanting integrated messaging. Mattermost is best for Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Both Google Chat and Mattermost serve the Team Communication market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from Google Chat to Mattermost?
Migrating from Google Chat to Mattermost is possible since both operate in the Team Communication space. Export data from Google Chat and verify Mattermost import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Spaces, Direct messaging, Google Workspace integration (Google Chat) versus Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations (Mattermost). Running both Google Chat and Mattermost in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is Google Chat or Mattermost better for small business?
Both Google Chat and Mattermost offer free plans. Google Chat (79/100) is ideal for Google Workspace users wanting integrated messaging. 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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