# 16 Best Open Source Alternatives for Chanty Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/chanty Last updated: 2026-11-07 Looking for the best open source alternative for Chanty? Compare 16 verified free and open source alternatives to Chanty (Macro Chat, Buzz, Rocket.Chat) with license details, self-hosting requirements, and practical trade-offs. ## Chanty Overview & Subscription Cost - **Product**: Chanty - **Category**: [community](https://caniforkit.com/category/community) - **Paid Subscription Price**: $15/month per seat - **1-Seat Annualized Cost**: $180/year - **5-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $900/year - **10-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $1,800/year - **Can I Vibe-Code / Rebuild It Myself?**: NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens) - **Rebuild Verdict**: Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Chanty or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 16 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Macro Chat. ## Verified Free & Open Source Alternatives | Alternative | Type | License | Runs On | GitHub Stars | Head-to-Head | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Macro Chat](https://caniforkit.com/fork/macro-chat) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 6.2k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-macro-chat) | | [Buzz](https://caniforkit.com/fork/buzz) | Open Source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 36.8k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-buzz) | | [Rocket.Chat](https://caniforkit.com/fork/rocket-chat) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 46.4k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-rocket-chat) | | [Mattermost](https://caniforkit.com/fork/mattermost) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 39.5k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-mattermost) | | [Zulip](https://caniforkit.com/fork/zulip) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 26.2k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-zulip) | | [Huly](https://caniforkit.com/fork/huly) | Open Source | EPL-2.0 | Self-host | ★ 28.1k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-huly) | | [Fluxer](https://caniforkit.com/fork/fluxer) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 10.8k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-fluxer) | | [Element](https://caniforkit.com/fork/element) | Open Source | AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+ | Self-host | ★ 13.6k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-element) | | [Campfire](https://caniforkit.com/fork/campfire) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 4.8k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-campfire) | | [Colanode](https://caniforkit.com/fork/colanode) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 5.2k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-colanode) | | [Stoat](https://caniforkit.com/fork/stoat) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 3.5k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-stoat) | | [Quiet](https://caniforkit.com/fork/quiet) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2.7k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-quiet) | | [Mezon](https://caniforkit.com/fork/mezon) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-mezon) | | [Wire](https://caniforkit.com/fork/wire) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2.6k | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-wire) | | [Twake Chat](https://caniforkit.com/fork/twake-chat) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 173 | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-twake-chat) | | [SAMA](https://caniforkit.com/fork/sama) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 161 | [Compare vs Chanty](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-sama) | ## In-Depth Alternative Profiles ### Macro Chat - **Fork Page**: [Macro Chat Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/macro-chat) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Macro Chat](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-macro-chat) - **Official Website**: https://macro.com/channels/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/macro-inc/macro - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Local - **GitHub Stars**: 6.2k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install - **Summary**: Team chat app with inline threads, mention-based sharing, a unified inbox for chat and email, and an AI agent that works across your full workspace. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/macro-inc/macro or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system. - **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine. ### Buzz - **Fork Page**: [Buzz Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/buzz) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Buzz](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-buzz) - **Official Website**: https://buzz.xyz/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/block/buzz - **License**: MIT - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 36.8k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cli, one-click install - **Summary**: Workspace that combines team chat, project planning, and git management with AI agents that collaborate alongside your team on shared context. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Buzz covers local transcription and batch export, but it is less Mac-native and has a thinner editor, speaker workflow, automation surface, and system integration than MacWhisper. - **Installation**: Install the desktop package for macOS, Windows, or Linux; package-manager and source installs are also available - **Setup**: The app installs cleanly, but the first transcription triggers a multi-hundred-megabyte or multi-gigabyte model download and CPU-only transcription can be dramatically slower than real time. - **Data Storage**: With a local backend, source media, downloaded model files, job state, and exported TXT/SRT/VTT/CSV transcripts remain on the computer; selecting an API backend sends the audio to that provider under its terms. ### Rocket.Chat - **Fork Page**: [Rocket.Chat Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/rocket-chat) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Rocket.Chat](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-rocket-chat) - **Official Website**: https://rocket.chat/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/rocketchat/rocket.chat - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 46.4k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Open source communication platform combining messaging, voice, video, and AI for organizations that need full data control, air-gapped deployments, and zero-trust security. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Chanty. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/rocketchat/rocket.chat or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Mattermost - **Fork Page**: [Mattermost Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/mattermost) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Mattermost](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-mattermost) - **Official Website**: https://mattermost.com - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/mattermost/mattermost - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 39.5k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Mattermost provides a flexible, open-source platform for secure team collaboration, designed for organizations with strict security and privacy requirements. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Microsoft Teams. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Zulip - **Fork Page**: [Zulip Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/zulip) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Zulip](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-zulip) - **Official Website**: https://zulip.com - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/zulip/zulip - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 26.2k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: desktop, mobile, web, self-hosted, self-host, real ops - **Summary**: Zulip is an open-source team chat app that uses threaded conversations to keep communication organized and efficient for teams of all sizes. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Chanty. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/zulip/zulip or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Huly - **Fork Page**: [Huly Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/huly) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Huly](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-huly) - **Official Website**: https://huly.io/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/hcengineering/platform - **License**: EPL-2.0 - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 28.1k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, self-host, real ops - **Summary**: Combines project management, team chat, virtual office, and collaborative docs into a single platform. A self-hostable alternative to Linear, Jira, Slack, and Notion. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Huly's hosted service is gone and its self-hosted issue-doc-chat stack is more technical and less client-friendly than Basecamp's simple project spaces, check-ins, and email participation. - **Installation**: Run the official Huly Selfhost Docker Compose stack on Linux, using its setup script plus Nginx/TLS for production - **Setup**: The first obstacle is the production-sized stack: Linux, Docker Compose, Nginx and certificates plus CockroachDB, Redpanda, Elasticsearch, storage volumes, backups, and enough RAM. - **Data Storage**: The self-host stack uses CockroachDB for account/workspace data, Elasticsearch for search indexes, Redpanda for event streams, and persistent volumes for uploaded files; optional services may add MongoDB. The public hosted Huly service announced its shutdown, so new use means self-hosting. ### Fluxer - **Fork Page**: [Fluxer Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/fluxer) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Fluxer](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-fluxer) - **Official Website**: https://fluxer.app - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/fluxerapp/fluxer - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 10.8k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Free, open-source instant messaging and VoIP platform with full Markdown support, voice/video calls, moderation tools, and self-hosting options for communities. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Chanty. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/fluxerapp/fluxer or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Element - **Fork Page**: [Element Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/element) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Element](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-element) - **Official Website**: https://element.io - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/element-hq/element-web - **License**: AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+ - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 13.6k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: desktop, mobile, web, self-hosted, they host it - **Summary**: Open-source platform for encrypted communication, file sharing, and collaboration based on the Matrix protocol. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Element offers encrypted rooms and proper clients, but it lacks Discord's public friend graph, enormous bot/community ecosystem, and familiar gaming-centric social layer. - **Installation**: Use a free Matrix account in Element Web/mobile/desktop, or deploy Element Server Suite on your own infrastructure - **Setup**: The clean hosted path is easy, but self-hosting the current Element Server Suite means operating a Matrix homeserver and its Kubernetes/Helm-based stack. - **Data Storage**: Rooms, event history, account data, and media live on the selected Matrix homeserver; encrypted-room keys remain on clients and can be backed up through Matrix's key-backup system. ### Campfire - **Fork Page**: [Campfire Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/campfire) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Campfire](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-campfire) - **Official Website**: https://once.com/campfire - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/basecamp/once-campfire - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 4.8k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Install your own group chat system with @mentions, DMs, and mobile support. One-time purchase, no monthly fees. Includes full source code for customization. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Chanty. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/basecamp/once-campfire or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Colanode - **Fork Page**: [Colanode Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/colanode) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Colanode](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-colanode) - **Official Website**: https://colanode.com/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/colanode/colanode - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 5.2k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Local-first collaboration platform combining real-time chat, rich text pages, databases, and file management in a single self-hostable workspace. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Chanty. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/colanode/colanode or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Stoat - **Fork Page**: [Stoat Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/stoat) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Stoat](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-stoat) - **Official Website**: https://stoat.chat/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/stoatchat/stoatchat - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 3.5k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Self-hostable group chat with servers, channels, voice, and moderation tools. No ads, no data mining, built under EU privacy law. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Chanty. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/stoatchat/stoatchat or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Quiet - **Fork Page**: [Quiet Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/quiet) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Quiet](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-quiet) - **Official Website**: https://tryquiet.org/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/tryquiet/quiet - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Local - **GitHub Stars**: 2.7k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install - **Summary**: Quiet is a peer-to-peer messaging app that syncs messages directly between devices over Tor, with no central server, no phone number required, and no metadata leaks. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/tryquiet/quiet or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system. - **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine. ### Mezon - **Fork Page**: [Mezon Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/mezon) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Mezon](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-mezon) - **Official Website**: https://mezon.ai/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/mezonai/mezon - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Local - **GitHub Stars**: 2k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install - **Summary**: Build your own community space for gaming, chatting, and hanging out with friends worldwide. Customize your environment for the perfect social experience. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/mezonai/mezon or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system. - **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine. ### Wire - **Fork Page**: [Wire Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/wire) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Wire](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-wire) - **Official Website**: https://wire.com - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/wireapp/wire - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Local - **GitHub Stars**: 2.6k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install - **Summary**: A comprehensive collaboration platform offering end-to-end encrypted messaging, file sharing, and video calls with enterprise-grade security and compliance features. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/wireapp/wire or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system. - **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine. ### Twake Chat - **Fork Page**: [Twake Chat Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/twake-chat) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs Twake Chat](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-twake-chat) - **Official Website**: https://twake-chat.com - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/linagora/twake-on-matrix - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 173 - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Free Matrix-based messenger with end-to-end encryption, multi-platform bridges, and on-premise deployment. Connect across 30+ networks securely. - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Chanty. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/linagora/twake-on-matrix or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### SAMA - **Fork Page**: [SAMA Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/sama) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Chanty vs SAMA](https://caniforkit.com/vs/chanty-vs-sama) - **Official Website**: https://samacloud.io - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/sama-communications/sama-server - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Local - **GitHub Stars**: 161 - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install - **Summary**: Open source chat server with end-to-end encryption, clustering support, and comprehensive messaging features for building real-time communication apps - **The Catch vs Chanty**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/sama-communications/sama-server or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system. - **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the best free alternative to Chanty? The top free alternative to Chanty is Macro Chat (open source, Open Source). Team chat app with inline threads, mention-based sharing, a unified inbox for chat and email, and an AI agent that works across your full workspace. Other popular Chanty replacements include Buzz, Rocket.Chat, Mattermost. ### How much does switching from Chanty to a free alternative save? Chanty starts at $15/month per seat ($180/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Macro Chat saves $900 per year in software subscription fees. ### What is the catch when switching away from Chanty? While Macro Chat replaces core Chanty features without subscription fees, the real-world trade-off is: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs. ## Related - [community Software Category Hub](https://caniforkit.com/category/community) - [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives) - [Self-Hosted Software Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted) - [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)