Rocket.Chat

Communications platform that puts data protection first (alternative to Gitter.im and Slack).

GitHub stars
46,248
License
MIT
Latest release
8.9.0
5 October 2026
Last commit
12 October 2026
Runs on
Node.js, Docker, Kubernetes

Commits per month, last 12 months

2,241 commits

Replaces

Paid products Rocket.Chat can stand in for.

How to self-host Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat runs on Node.js, Docker and Kubernetes. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.

  1. Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
  2. Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
  3. Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
  4. Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.

New to self-hosting? Start with the beginner's guide.

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Questions

Is Rocket.Chat free?

Yes. Rocket.Chat is open source under the MIT license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.

Can I self-host Rocket.Chat?

Yes. Rocket.Chat runs on Node.js, Docker and Kubernetes. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.

What does Rocket.Chat replace?

People use Rocket.Chat instead of Gitter, Microsoft Teams, Slack or Discord.

Is Rocket.Chat still maintained?

The last change to Rocket.Chat's code was on 12 October 2026, with 2241 commits in the last 12 months.

Topics

Communication - Custom Communication Systems

App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.