# 8 Best Open Source Alternatives for Guilded

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/guilded
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Looking for the best open source alternative for Guilded? Compare 8 verified free and open source alternatives to Guilded (Rocket.Chat, Mattermost, Fluxer) with license details, self-hosting requirements, and practical trade-offs.

## Guilded Overview & Subscription Cost
- **Product**: Guilded
- **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 Guilded or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 8 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Rocket.Chat.

## Verified Free & Open Source Alternatives

| Alternative | Type | License | Runs On | GitHub Stars | Head-to-Head |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Rocket.Chat](https://caniforkit.com/fork/rocket-chat) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 46.4k | [Compare vs Guilded](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-vs-rocket-chat) |
| [Mattermost](https://caniforkit.com/fork/mattermost) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 39.5k | [Compare vs Guilded](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-vs-mattermost) |
| [Fluxer](https://caniforkit.com/fork/fluxer) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 10.8k | [Compare vs Guilded](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-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 Guilded](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-vs-element) |
| [Stoat](https://caniforkit.com/fork/stoat) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 3.5k | [Compare vs Guilded](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-vs-stoat) |
| [Mezon](https://caniforkit.com/fork/mezon) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2k | [Compare vs Guilded](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-vs-mezon) |
| [Valour](https://caniforkit.com/fork/valour) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 400 | [Compare vs Guilded](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-vs-valour) |
| [SAMA](https://caniforkit.com/fork/sama) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 161 | [Compare vs Guilded](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-vs-sama) |

## In-Depth Alternative Profiles

### Rocket.Chat
- **Fork Page**: [Rocket.Chat Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/rocket-chat)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Guilded vs Rocket.Chat](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-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 Guilded**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Guilded.
- **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**: [Guilded vs Mattermost](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-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 Guilded**: 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.

### Fluxer
- **Fork Page**: [Fluxer Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/fluxer)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Guilded vs Fluxer](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-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 Guilded**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Guilded.
- **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**: [Guilded vs Element](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-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 Guilded**: 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.

### Stoat
- **Fork Page**: [Stoat Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/stoat)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Guilded vs Stoat](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-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 Guilded**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Guilded.
- **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.

### Mezon
- **Fork Page**: [Mezon Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/mezon)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Guilded vs Mezon](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-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 Guilded**: 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.

### Valour
- **Fork Page**: [Valour Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/valour)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Guilded vs Valour](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-vs-valour)
- **Official Website**: https://valour.gg
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/valour-software/valour
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Local
- **GitHub Stars**: 400
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Summary**: Open-source communication platform with multi-window chat, economy systems, and privacy-first approach. Built by communities for superior performance.
- **The Catch vs Guilded**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/valour-software/valour 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.

### SAMA
- **Fork Page**: [SAMA Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/sama)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Guilded vs SAMA](https://caniforkit.com/vs/guilded-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 Guilded**: 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 Guilded?
The top free alternative to Guilded is Rocket.Chat (open source, Open Source). Open source communication platform combining messaging, voice, video, and AI for organizations that need full data control, air-gapped deployments, and zero-trust security. Other popular Guilded replacements include Mattermost, Fluxer, Element.

### How much does switching from Guilded to a free alternative save?
Guilded starts at $15/month per seat ($180/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Rocket.Chat saves $900 per year in software subscription fees.

### What is the catch when switching away from Guilded?
While Rocket.Chat replaces core Guilded features without subscription fees, the real-world trade-off is: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Guilded.

## 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)