Rocket.chat

38734 stars

Rocket.Chat varies from Slack by not having anything similar to Slack Workspaces. It has channels, private channels, direct messaging and even OTR (Off-the-Record) chats. In an OTR session with another user, all messages will be end-to-end encrypted and will be deleted after the session. Like other open source alternatives to Slack, Rocket.chat also loses out on some customers because of the lack of integrations with the rest of the business ecosystem.

Commerical Alternatives

Slack

Features

Unlimited Message History
End-to-End Encryption
Guest Users
Message Audit Panel / Audit Logs
Customizable User Permission
Engagement Dashboard
Broadcast Channels
White Label (Branding)
Canned Responses
Smart Chat Routing
Analytics API
Multifactor Authentication

Pricing

Rocket.chat plans vary from $2/user/month to $4/user/month for the cloud version, and price ranges from $0/ user/month to $3/user/month for the self-hosted version depending upon feature requirements.

Self hostable

Yes

Customers

Bluehive, Bionest, UCI, GWDG, Continental

Reviews (Snippets from G2)

Pros

I like that rocket chat is super easy to use and keeps you connected with your co-workers at all times. I also like that it integrates with Giphy so that you can always use gifs when you send a message.
This SaaS is cross-platform, easy to set up by the user, and you receive e-mail messages directed to you that you have not yet read.
Rocket.chat is easy to use and it's user interface is similar to another solutions in the market, making easy to new users to adapt to this tool.
I enjoy being able to have separate group chats at work and name them. The ability to use emojis and gifs is much appreciated.

Cons

Rocket.Chat has a non-responsive customer service departments that refuses to work with paying customers. My rocket.chat server isn't communicating, and fails to send messages.
The downsides to using Rocket Chat is that sometimes messages do not show up on my phone if I am away from my computer. It has been inconsistent at times, but eventually, they will show up on my phone.
Downsides are that the search itself is a little buggy, like when you jump to a message sometimes it doesn't jump to the actual message, making it difficult to find where you are.