Question 1

Is OpenChat really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, OpenChat is free and open source under the SSPL (Server Side Public License). You can self-host it at no cost. There are no per-user fees or feature paywalls.

Question 2

How does OpenChat compare to Slack?

Accepted Answer

OpenChat offers similar features to Slack including channels, direct messages, threads, file sharing, and search. The key difference is that OpenChat is self-hosted, giving you complete control over your data with no per-user fees.

Question 3

What makes OpenChat secure?

Accepted Answer

OpenChat uses PostgreSQL Row Level Security (RLS) for database-level data isolation between organizations. Combined with TitaniumVault SSO integration and comprehensive audit logging, it provides enterprise-grade security.

Question 4

Is OpenChat HIPAA compliant for healthcare teams?

Accepted Answer

Yes, OpenChat can be deployed in HIPAA-compliant configurations. Self-hosting gives you complete control over data storage, encryption, and access. Combined with TitaniumVault SSO, it meets healthcare security requirements.

Question 5

Can OpenChat run in an air-gapped or on-premise environment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, OpenChat is fully self-hosted and can run in air-gapped, on-premise, or private cloud environments. It requires only PostgreSQL and optional S3-compatible storage for file attachments.

Question 6

How does OpenChat compare to Microsoft Teams?

Accepted Answer

OpenChat provides team chat functionality similar to Teams but without Microsoft 365 lock-in. It's lighter weight, fully self-hosted, and integrates with any SSO provider, not just Azure AD.

Question 7

Does OpenChat support SSO and enterprise authentication?

Accepted Answer

Yes, OpenChat integrates with TitaniumVault for OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect SSO. It also supports SAML and other identity providers for enterprise single sign-on.

Question 8

Can I migrate from Slack to OpenChat?

Accepted Answer

Yes, OpenChat supports importing message history, channels, and users from Slack exports. Migration tools help preserve your team's conversation history during the transition.

Question 9

Does OpenChat have desktop and mobile apps?

Accepted Answer

Yes, OpenChat has desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Mobile apps for iOS and Android are available. All apps use the same real-time WebSocket protocol for instant messaging.

Question 10

How many users can OpenChat support?

Accepted Answer

OpenChat scales horizontally and has been tested with thousands of concurrent users. There are no artificial user limits - capacity depends only on your infrastructure.

Feature	OpenChat	Mattermost
Pricing	Simple flat-rate tiers	Per-user, complex tiers
Self-Hosting	Simple self-host	Self-host available
Setup Complexity	Quick setup	More complex config
Open Source	Source available	Open source core
Enterprise Features	Included in all plans	Enterprise tier required
SAML/SSO	Included	Professional+
Compliance	HIPAA, SOC 2 ready	Enterprise tier
DevOps Integration	API integrations	Strong DevOps focus
Mobile Apps	Native apps	Native apps
Support	Direct engineering	Community or paid

OpenChatvsMattermost

Detailed Comparison

Why Switch from Mattermost?

Simpler Pricing

Easier Setup

Enterprise Features Included

Better Support

Ready for Simpler Self-Hosted Chat?