Compare software

Cisco JabberZulip
Free

The client is a free download from Cisco.

 Freemium

The server and clients are free and open source and can be self-hosted at no cost. Zulip…

Windows, macOS, Android, iOS Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
  • Available on desktop and mobile
  • Separate VDI edition for virtual desktops
  • Topic-based threading inside channels, which makes catching up genuinely practical
  • Self-hostable, or hosted, with free plans for open-source communities
  • Mainly useful inside organizations that run Cisco services
  • Official page gives little detail about features
  • The topic model takes getting used to and needs team discipline to work
  • The desktop client shares most of its code with the web app, so it inherits its quirks
Downloadable app Downloadable app
Closed source Open source
License not stated License: Apache-2.0
Not stated if an account is needed Account needed
Not stated if it works offline Needs internet

Checked October 1, 2026

Checked September 21, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.