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Google Chat alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Google Chat: fewer third-party integrations than Slack, and threads and spaces feel less refined than Slack's. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Google Chat, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Slack currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Slack logoSlackFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +33 of 368.8
2Zoho Cliq logoZoho CliqFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 459.6
3Pumble logoPumbleFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +35 of 557.2
4Zoom Team Chat logoZoom Team ChatFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 453.6
5Microsoft Teams logoMicrosoft TeamsFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +20 of 352.1
6Mattermost logoMattermostOpen sourceYesWeb, Windows, macOS +41 of 350.5
  1. Slack logo

    1. SlackTop pick

    Best for: Companies that want the largest integration ecosystem for chat

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Chat

    Richer integrations and a more polished channel experience, at extra cost.

    Pros

    • Huge integration ecosystem
    • Polished threads and huddles
    • Shared channels with other companies

    Cons

    • Free plan hides older message history
    • Costs rise quickly per seat
    Visit Slack Compare with Google ChatDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Slack a good Google Chat alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, with limited history
    Checked Oct 24, 2026slack.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Salesforce
    Checked Oct 24, 2026slack.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, desktop, mobile
    Checked Oct 24, 2026slack.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Zoho Cliq logo

    2. Zoho Cliq

    Best for: Businesses on Zoho apps and teams that want low-cost chat with bots and automation

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Chat

    Similar suite-bundled chat for companies on Zoho apps.

    Pros

    • Free edition with messaging and meetings
    • Strong bot and automation platform
    • Deep integration with Zoho's business apps

    Cons

    • Interface feels busier than Slack
    • Professional and Enterprise need at least 10 users
    • Third-party integrations trail Slack's catalogue
    Visit Zoho Cliq Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zoho Cliq a good Google Chat alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free edition
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    15 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Minimum users (Professional)
    10
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    External channels
    Standard plan and up
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Pumble logo

    3. Pumble

    Best for: Small and growing teams that want Slack-style chat cheaply, with full history on the free plan

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Chat

    Cheap standalone chat with unlimited history on the free plan.

    Pros

    • Free plan has unlimited users and message history
    • Paid seats are far cheaper than Slack
    • Bundles with Clockify and Plaky

    Cons

    • Far fewer integrations than Slack
    • Group meetings require a paid plan
    • Younger product with fewer advanced workflow features
    Visit Pumble Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Pumble a good Google Chat alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Unlimited users and history
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pumble.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    $2.49 per seat/month (annual)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pumble.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business price
    $3.99 per seat/month (annual)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pumble.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise price
    $6.99 per seat/month (annual), with SSO
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pumble.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pumble.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Zoom Team Chat logo

    4. Zoom Team Chat

    Best for: Companies that already use Zoom for meetings and want chat in the same app

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Chat

    Bundled chat for organisations that standardise on Zoom Workplace.

    Pros

    • Included with Zoom Workplace, even the free Basic plan
    • Moves smoothly from chat to call or meeting
    • Shared spaces for cross-team and external projects

    Cons

    • Smaller integration ecosystem than Slack
    • Chat features feel secondary to meetings
    • AI features require paid plans
    Visit Zoom Team Chat Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zoom Team Chat a good Google Chat alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Pricing
    Included in Zoom Workplace
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Team Chat included in Basic
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    $14.16 per user/month (annual)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Shared spaces
    Yes, with external members
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoom.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Microsoft Teams logo

    5. Microsoft Teams

    Best for: Organizations already using Microsoft 365

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    52.1

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Chat

    The equivalent built-in chat if the company moves to Microsoft 365.

    Pros

    • Included in many Microsoft 365 plans
    • Strong meetings and calling
    • Office file co-editing

    Cons

    • Interface can feel cluttered
    • Best experience requires Microsoft 365
    Visit Microsoft Teams Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1515
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Microsoft Teams a good Google Chat alternative?

    Verified facts

    0 of 3 verified
    Free version
    Yes
    Not checked yetmicrosoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Meetings
    Video meetings and webinars
    Not checked yetmicrosoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Microsoft 365 integration
    Yes
    Not checked yetmicrosoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Mattermost logo

    6. Mattermost

    Best for: Security-conscious organizations that must self-host chat

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    50.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Google Chat

    Self-hostable if you need to keep chat data on your own servers.

    Pros

    • Open source and self-hosted
    • Slack-like interface
    • Strong compliance options

    Cons

    • Self-hosting requires maintenance
    • Smaller integration catalog than Slack
    Visit Mattermost Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Mattermost a good Google Chat alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Not checked yetgithub.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026mattermost.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free edition
    Yes
    Not checked yetmattermost.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Google Chat alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Slack logo

Best Google Chat alternative for most people

Slack

Richer integrations and a more polished channel experience, at extra cost.

Mattermost logo

Best Google Chat alternative for a free option

Mattermost

Self-hostable if you need to keep chat data on your own servers.

Zoho Cliq logo

Best Google Chat alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Zoho Cliq

Similar suite-bundled chat for companies on Zoho apps.

Mattermost logo

Best Google Chat alternative for open source

Mattermost

Self-hostable if you need to keep chat data on your own servers.

Mattermost logo

Best Google Chat alternative for self-hosting

Mattermost

Self-hostable if you need to keep chat data on your own servers.

Pumble logo

Best Google Chat alternative for Mac

Pumble

Cheap standalone chat with unlimited history on the free plan.

Zoom Team Chat logo

Best Google Chat alternative for Windows

Zoom Team Chat

Bundled chat for organisations that standardise on Zoom Workplace.

Slack logo

Best Google Chat alternative for Linux

Slack

Richer integrations and a more polished channel experience, at extra cost.

Microsoft Teams logo

Best Google Chat alternative for iPhone and Android

Microsoft Teams

The equivalent built-in chat if the company moves to Microsoft 365.

Slack logo

Best Google Chat alternative for working in the browser

Slack

Richer integrations and a more polished channel experience, at extra cost.

Google Chat alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Google Chat?

Slack ranks first right now. Richer integrations and a more polished channel experience, at extra cost. Zoho Cliq and Pumble follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Google Chat?

Yes. Slack (free plan + paid), Zoho Cliq (free plan + paid), Pumble (free plan + paid) and Zoom Team Chat (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Google Chat?

Yes: Mattermost. Mattermost can also be self-hosted.

Which Google Chat alternatives work on Linux?

Slack, Zoho Cliq, Pumble, Zoom Team Chat and Mattermost run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Google Chat?

The complaints we hear most: fewer third-party integrations than Slack; threads and spaces feel less refined than Slack's; best features require a Workspace subscription.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Google Chat, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.