Google Chat vs Mattermost
Last updated July 2026
Google Chat
Team messaging bundled inside Google Workspace
Advantages
- Bundled with Google Workspace ($6/user/mo Business Starter and up)
- Deep integration with Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Meet
- Spaces provide threaded discussions and file sharing
- Gemini AI features integrated across Workspace
- Enterprise-grade admin controls via Google Workspace
Drawbacks
- Messaging UX less refined than Slack
- Smaller third-party integration ecosystem than Slack
- External guest collaboration less fluid than Slack Connect
- Search less powerful than Slack's
Mattermost
Self-hosted, open-source team messaging for regulated industries
Advantages
- Self-hosted deployment, full data control
- Open source with an MIT-licensed core
- Strong compliance and security controls for regulated industries
- Playbooks feature for incident response and workflow automation
- Free Team Edition for small teams
Drawbacks
- Requires infrastructure and IT support to self-host
- Smaller integration ecosystem than Slack
- UI less polished than Slack
- Cloud edition available but less feature-rich than Slack cloud
Google Chat and Mattermost both play in team communication, but they're aimed at different buyers. Google Chat is built for teams already standardized on Google Workspace who want bundled chat. Mattermost is built for regulated industries, government, defense, and orgs requiring on-premises data. Which one fits depends on which of those descriptions sounds more like you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Google Chat | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Bundled with Google Workspace ($6/user/mo Business Starter) | Free (self-hosted); Professional $10/user/mo |
| Deployment Model | -- | Self-hosted or Mattermost Cloud |
| Open Source | -- | MIT-licensed core |
| Messaging UX | Spaces + DMs; less refined than Slack | Channel + thread; less refined than Slack |
| Integrations | 300+ apps (Google ecosystem strongest) | 500+ apps |
| AI Features | Gemini for Google Workspace (add-on) | AI Copilot in preview; smaller than Slack AI |
| Compliance | -- | SOC 2, FedRAMP, HIPAA, GDPR (self-hosted control) |
| Self-Hosting Support | -- | Yes, first-party self-hosted deployment |
| External Collaboration | Guest access; less fluid than Slack Connect | -- |
| Productivity Bundle | Bundled with Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Meet) | -- |
| File Storage | 30GB-2TB via Drive (bundled) | -- |
| Admin Controls | Enterprise-grade via Google Workspace admin | -- |
Too Close to Call
Google Chat and Mattermost land roughly even overall; the right pick depends on which of their strengths matters more to you.
Google Chat's standout strength: Bundled with Google Workspace ($6/user/mo Business Starter and up). Mattermost's standout strength: Self-hosted deployment, full data control. Neither dominates across the board, and both have well-known weak spots. Google Chat's biggest drawback: Messaging UX less refined than Slack. Mattermost's biggest drawback: Requires infrastructure and IT support to self-host. Pick the one whose strengths line up with what you actually need.
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