Mattermost as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Teams
Updated
Our verdict
Mattermost can replace Microsoft Teams for teams that need a self‑hosted, open‑source chat and collaboration platform. It covers real‑time chat, threaded conversations, video/audio calls, file sharing, and user/group management. It is best suited for developer teams or organizations that want full data control, CI/CD integration, and API‑driven automation. However, it lacks native Office 365 integration and the polished UI/feature set of Teams, so it may not satisfy users who rely heavily on Microsoft productivity tools.
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 6.3.1 (October 15, 2026)
- Rating
- —

What works the same
- Real‑time chat with threaded messages
- Video and audio conferencing
- File sharing and storage
- User and group management
- Cross‑platform availability
What is different
- No native Office 365 integration
- No built‑in calendar or task management
- Limited out‑of‑the‑box video quality compared to Teams
- No integrated meeting scheduling with Outlook
- No pre‑built meeting rooms for large corporate events
Opening your Microsoft Teams files
Mattermost does not natively open or export Microsoft Teams files such as .msg or .docx. Users must rely on external tools (e.g., LibreOffice, Google Docs) to view or edit these files and then upload them to Mattermost. Exporting chat history from Teams into a format readable by Mattermost is not supported directly.
Switching from Microsoft Teams to Mattermost, step by step
- Export Teams chat history to JSON or CSV using Microsoft Graph API.
- Export Teams files to a shared drive or cloud storage accessible to Mattermost.
- Set up a Mattermost server (self‑hosted or cloud) and create the same teams and channels.
- Import the exported chat data into Mattermost using the import tool or custom scripts.
- Re‑upload files to the appropriate channels in Mattermost.
- Notify users of the new platform and provide training on Mattermost features.
Key features of Mattermost
- Self-hosted server option for full data control
- Deep integration with CI/CD and code repositories
- Support for MySQL and PostgreSQL databases
- Plugin system for extending functionality
- Channel-based organization for project topics
- API-first design for custom automation
How to install Mattermost on Linux
flatpak install flathub com.mattermost.Desktopsudo pacman -S mattermostFrequently asked questions
Does Mattermost support video calls the same way Teams does?
Mattermost offers video and audio calls, but the implementation is less mature than Teams. It works well for small to medium groups, but large meetings or high‑definition video may experience quality issues.
Can I use Mattermost with my existing Office 365 documents?
Mattermost can host Office files, but it does not integrate with Office 365 for real‑time co‑editing. Users must open documents in Office or LibreOffice and then upload them to Mattermost.
Is Mattermost secure for enterprise data?
Yes. Mattermost is self‑hosted, giving full control over data. It supports encryption at rest, LDAP/AD integration, and compliance features, but you must configure and maintain the server yourself.