Mattermost vs Twist
Mattermost is open-source, self-hosted team messaging platform for organizations that need data sovereignty, while Twist is async communication tool from Doist that organizes conversations into threads, not a firehose. The biggest difference up front: Mattermost is free, while Twist starts at $6/user/mo. Mattermost is built for teams that need self-hosted, privacy-first messaging, whereas Twist targets remote teams wanting async-first communication.
Free
| Feature | Mattermost | Twist |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | ✓ | — |
| Async-First | — | ✓ |
| Channels | ✓ | ✓ |
| Compliance | ✓ | — |
| Integrations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Playbooks | ✓ | — |
| Self-Hosted | ✓ | — |
| Threads | — | ✓ |
Pricing: Mattermost is completely free, which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Twist starts at $6/user/mo, but Free for 1 month history. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Mattermost offers Compliance, Playbooks and Self-Hosted that Twist lacks. Twist brings Async-First and Threads that Mattermost does not have. Both share Channels and Integrations.
Team fit: Mattermost is geared toward mid-size teams teams, while Twist 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. Twist 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. Twist's biggest strengths are: threaded replies keep side conversations from cluttering the main channel. includes async-first 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 Twist, 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
- Budget is a hard constraint — Mattermost is free, Twist is not
- You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
- You specifically need Compliance and Playbooks
- You care about open source with active community
choose Twist if
- You need a tool built for remote teams wanting async-first communication
- You specifically need Async-First and Threads
- You care about includes async-first as a core feature, purpose-built for team communication workflows
- Your team size fits the small teams profile Twist is designed for
- The free tier works for you: free for 1 month history
frequently asked
What is the difference between Mattermost and Twist?
Mattermost is open-source, self-hosted team messaging platform for organizations that need data sovereignty, while Twist is async communication tool from Doist that organizes conversations into threads, not a firehose. The biggest difference up front: Mattermost is free, while Twist starts at $6/user/mo. Mattermost is built for teams that need self-hosted, privacy-first messaging, whereas Twist targets remote teams wanting async-first communication.
Should I use Mattermost or Twist?
Mattermost is the free option; Twist charges $6/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Mattermost over Twist?
Choose Mattermost if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams that need self-hosted, privacy-first messaging; Budget is a hard constraint — Mattermost is free, Twist is not; You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code; You specifically need Compliance and Playbooks; You care about open source with active community.
When should I choose Twist over Mattermost?
Choose Twist if You need a tool built for remote teams wanting async-first communication; You specifically need Async-First and Threads; You care about includes async-first as a core feature, purpose-built for team communication workflows; Your team size fits the small teams profile Twist is designed for; The free tier works for you: free for 1 month history.
related comparisons
Slack vs Mattermost · Microsoft Teams vs Mattermost · Discord vs Mattermost · Mattermost vs Rocket.Chat · Mattermost vs Element · Mattermost vs Google Chat · Mattermost vs Lark · Mattermost vs Pumble