notanothertool

Mattermost vs Flock

Mattermost is open-source, self-hosted team messaging platform for organizations that need data sovereignty, while Flock is team messaging with built-in to-dos, polls, notes, and file sharing. Mattermost is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Mattermost is built for teams that need self-hosted, privacy-first messaging, whereas Flock targets teams wanting messaging with built-in productivity tools.

FeatureMattermostFlock
Free tier available
Open source
Channels
Compliance
Integrations
Notes
Playbooks
Polls
Self-Hosted
To-Dos
Video Calls

Pricing: Both Mattermost and Flock are free. You can try both without spending a dollar.

Feature gaps: Mattermost offers Channels, Compliance and Integrations that Flock lacks. Flock brings Notes, Polls and To-Dos that Mattermost does not have.

Team fit: Mattermost is geared toward mid-size teams teams, while Flock is aimed at small teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Open source: Mattermost is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Flock is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.

Where each tool shines: Mattermost's biggest strengths are: self-hosted — full control over your data. open source with active community. Flock's biggest strengths are: lightweight to-do lists keep daily tasks front and center without project-management overhead. includes polls as a core feature, purpose-built for team communication workflows.

Watch out for: With Mattermost, users commonly note that requires server management if self-hosting. With Flock, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

choose Mattermost if

  • Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that need self-hosted, privacy-first messaging
  • You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
  • You specifically need Channels and Compliance
  • You care about open source with active community
  • Your team size fits the mid-size teams profile Mattermost is designed for

choose Flock if

  • Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting messaging with built-in productivity tools
  • You specifically need Notes and Polls
  • You care about includes polls as a core feature, purpose-built for team communication workflows
  • Your team size fits the small teams profile Flock is designed for
  • The free tier works for you: free for up to 20 users

frequently asked

What is the difference between Mattermost and Flock?

Mattermost is open-source, self-hosted team messaging platform for organizations that need data sovereignty, while Flock is team messaging with built-in to-dos, polls, notes, and file sharing. Mattermost is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Mattermost is built for teams that need self-hosted, privacy-first messaging, whereas Flock targets teams wanting messaging with built-in productivity tools.

Should I use Mattermost or Flock?

Mattermost gives you open source and self-hosting; Flock is a managed service. Which trade-off works for you?

When should I choose Mattermost over Flock?

Choose Mattermost if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that need self-hosted, privacy-first messaging; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Channels and Compliance; You care about open source with active community; Your team size fits the mid-size teams profile Mattermost is designed for.

When should I choose Flock over Mattermost?

Choose Flock if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting messaging with built-in productivity tools; You specifically need Notes and Polls; You care about includes polls as a core feature, purpose-built for team communication workflows; Your team size fits the small teams profile Flock is designed for; The free tier works for you: free for up to 20 users.

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