Slack vs Zulip

Fit:

Migration notes

Channel-plus-topic model differs from Slack threads; Slack export/import documented, private data availability depends on source export permissions.

Sources: zulip.com, zulip.com · checked 2026-10-21

SlackPaid incumbent

Entry priceUSD 7.25 / seat / month

Pricing modelper-seat, billed annual

OwnerSalesforce, Inc. (NYSE: CRM)

Pro standard annual price per user/month; free plan available; temporary introductory discount excluded. Source

Slack plans reviewed
Pro	entry	USD 8.75 / user / mo
Business+	business	USD 18 / user / mo
Enterprise+	enterprise	Quote only

ZulipOpen-source alternative

Fit for Slack

License

Apache License 2.0 A permissive license whose main conditions require preservation of copyright and license notices. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights. Licensed works, modifications, and larger works may be distributed under different terms and without source code. May Commercial useModificationDistributionPatent usePrivate use Must License and copyright noticeState changes No Trademark useLiabilityWarranty Summary from GitHub's choosealicense.com

Paid-feature tier A

Self-host

Paid-feature limitsNone established

Zulip plans reviewed
Self-hosted Free	self-hosted core	Free
Self-hosted Business	self-hosted vendor notifications/support service	USD 8 / user / mo
Self-hosted Enterprise	self-hosted vendor service	Quote only

What you may give up

No paid-feature limits established for this edition.

Vendor-operated mobile push service for commercial organizations above 10 users requires a paid self-hosted plan; eligible communities can receive it free.

Tier A: All self-hosted software features included in every plan; no enterprise code tier. A applies to software, with separately priced vendor push relay disclosed. License source

What running it takes

RabbitMQ
Memcached

Hover or focus an icon for its name. Dashed means not established; struck through means no; grouped icons are alternatives.

Documented default deployment path; optional services are separate from core runtime. No unverified backend alternatives asserted. Infrastructure and staff time are not priced here; this page does not compare total cost.