Zulip

Communication

Free open sourceEditorial overview
A CLOSER LOOK

What is Zulip?

Zulip organizes team conversation by both channel and topic, helping discussions remain readable over time. Its self-hosted edition includes the complete chat feature set, with separate mobile-notification and hosting considerations.

Channels and topics

Search

File sharing

Integrations

Desktop and mobile clients

Is it a good fit?

Best suited to

Distributed teams keeping asynchronous discussions organized.

Before you choose

Free mobile push covers up to 10 users for ordinary organizations; eligible communities can receive unlimited notifications.

Editorial assessment based on the provider’s published information. Our method

Know what you're signing up for.

Zulip offers Self-hosted open-source server at no license charge. Free mobile push covers up to 10 users for ordinary organizations; eligible communities can receive unlimited notifications.

Free mobile push covers up to 10 users for ordinary organizations; eligible communities can receive unlimited notifications.

Check current official pricing

The useful parts. The trade-offs.

Why consider it

Topic structure supports asynchronous conversation

Self-hosted software includes the chat feature set

What to keep in mind

Topic discipline takes team practice

Ordinary free self-hosted mobile push is limited to 10 users

How to use it well

Zulip’s topic structure helps conversations remain readable after people return from other work. Give topics specific names and move stray replies, treating the organization of discussion as a shared habit rather than an administrator-only responsibility.

Create channels for broad areas and use specific topic titles for individual discussions. Move off-topic replies so later readers can follow the history without scanning a continuous feed. Review mobile-notification eligibility before rollout, and budget for server administration if you choose self-hosting.

A few things you might be wondering.

Is Zulip free?

Zulip offers Self-hosted open-source server at no license charge. Free mobile push covers up to 10 users for ordinary organizations; eligible communities can receive unlimited notifications.

How are topics different from channels?

Channels group an area of discussion, while topics identify individual conversations within that area.

Are mobile notifications unlimited for every self-hosted team?

No. Free notifications cover up to 10 users for ordinary organizations, with eligibility-based exceptions for communities.

Where can I check the latest prices?

Use the provider link on this page. Billing period, location, team size, promotions, taxes, and optional extras may affect the amount you pay.

How should I compare this tool with alternatives?

Choose tools for the same task, then compare their feature limits, platform support, and total cost for your team. The Compare button helps you keep a shortlist.

Are the user reviews moderated?

Yes. New reviews are submitted for moderation. We show published user reviews separately from the editorial overview and never assign a default user rating.

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