Compare software

DiscordZulip
Freemium

Free to use, with an optional Nitro subscription.

 Freemium

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

Windows, iOS, Web Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
  • Drop-in voice channels without placing calls
  • Low-latency screen and game streaming
  • Topic-based threading inside channels, which makes catching up genuinely practical
  • Self-hostable, or hosted, with free plans for open-source communities
  • Proprietary and centrally hosted
  • Some features sit behind the Nitro subscription
  • 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, Web application, Hosted service Downloadable app
Closed source Open source
License not stated License: Apache-2.0
Account needed Account needed
Needs internet Needs internet

Checked September 23, 2026

Checked September 21, 2026

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