setting up and comparing zulip vs mattermost for team communication

Setting Up Zulip for Team Communication

Step 1: Installation

Zulip Cloud vs. Self-Hosted:
Zulip can be deployed either via the cloud or self-hosted. If you want simplicity and ease of use, opt for the cloud version. For those who desire greater control and customization, follow these instructions for self-hosting.

Self-Hosting Requirements:

Operating System: Ubuntu 18.04 or later, or Debian 9 or later.
Dependencies: Node.js, Python, PostgreSQL, Redis, and a few others. The full list is detailed in their installation guide.

Installation Steps:

Clone the Repository:

git clone https://github.com/zulip/zulip.git
cd zulip

Run the Setup Script:
Execute the setup script as an administrator. It prompts for the required configurations, such as database settings.
```
./scripts/setup/install
```
Configure Email:
Zulip requires an SMTP setup for email notifications. You can configure it using the settings.py file located in the Zulip directory.

Step 2: Configuration

User Management:
Once installed, access the Zulip server using your web browser. You’ll need to create an administrator account first. After logging in, navigate to the Admin settings panel to manage users, settings, and integrations.

Stream Configuration:
Zulip organizes conversations into streams, similar to channels. Create relevant streams based on your team’s projects, interests, or departments. Go to Settings > Streams to add or manage streams.

Bots and Integrations:
Zulip supports various bots and integrations, enhancing productivity. Use the integrations page to connect external apps like GitHub, JIRA, or Trello. Additionally, you can create custom Zulip bots using its API.

Setting Up Mattermost for Team Communication

Step 1: Installation

Mattermost Cloud vs. Self-Hosted:
Like Zulip, Mattermost can operate in the cloud or be self-hosted for more configuration freedom. For this guide, we’ll focus on self-hosting.

Self-Hosting Requirements:

Operating System: Ubuntu 16.04 or later, or CentOS 7 or later.
Dependencies: Docker, PostgreSQL, or MySQL.

Installation Steps:

Download Mattermost:
Choose a version from Mattermost’s official site.
Set Up the Database:
Create a database in PostgreSQL or MySQL and set the appropriate permissions.

Run Mattermost:
Run Mattermost using Docker to simplify deployment.

docker run --name mattermost -d --restart unless-stopped 
-p 8065:8065 mattermost/mattermost-team-edition

Step 2: Configuration

User Management:
After installation, access Mattermost via http://<your-server-IP>:8065. Create your admin account, and use the admin console for user management, channels, and settings.

Channel & Team Setup:
Mattermost organizes conversations in teams and channels. Teams are suitable for a group of related channels. Go to Team settings to create new teams or manage existing ones.

Integrations:
Mattermost provides a rich set of integrations with services including GitHub, Slack, and Jenkins. You can also access the API to create custom webhook integrations.

Comparing Zulip and Mattermost

User Interface

Zulip: Offers an organized and unique threaded conversation structure that allows users to pick up discussions at their own pace. The UI is characterized by streams and topics, ensuring messages don’t get lost in fast-moving conversations.
Mattermost: Utilizes a more traditional chat interface with channels and direct messages. This simplicity can increase accessibility, especially for users familiar with applications like Slack.

Features

Zulip:
- Threaded Conversations: Ideal for large teams where discussions can get convoluted.
- Rich Markdown Support: Excellent for formatting messages.
- Multiple Streams: Facilitates organized conversations based on teams or projects.
Mattermost:
- Custom Emojis and Reactions: Offers greater customization, enhancing team engagement.
- Enhanced Search Capabilities: Easy to search through past conversations, which is beneficial for larger teams.
- File Sharing Integration: Smoothly integrates with cloud services like Google Drive.

Security

Zulip: Provides encrypted communication, ensuring chat data is secure. It also offers support for enterprise security requirements, including SSO (Single Sign-On).
Mattermost: Stands out with its on-premises deployment, giving teams full control over security configurations, compliance, and data management. It also supports encryption and provides extensive auditing tools.

Price

Zulip: Offers a free tier for small teams and competitively priced paid plans for large organizations, which include additional features like advanced analytics.
Mattermost: Offers a free tier with the core features needed for small teams, with prices scaling depending on the organization’s needs, primarily for advanced integrations and support.

Community and Support

Zulip: Hosts an active community forum and detailed documentation. Their customer support is responsive, offering various avenues for troubleshooting.
Mattermost: Similar to Zulip, Mattermost has rich documentation and community discussions. Their commercial offerings also include dedicated customer support for enterprise users.

Integration Capabilities

Zulip: Provides a robust API for developing custom integrations and bots, along with deep support for various third-party services like GitHub and JIRA.
Mattermost: Notably focused on integrations with DevOps tools, Mattermost boasts a large library of integrations and supports plugins extensively.

Performance and Scalability

Zulip: Suitable for organizations of varying sizes, its threaded architecture can effectively manage large volumes of messages without affecting performance.
Mattermost: Offers excellent performance for larger teams, especially with its direct message archiving. Its architecture can scale as required, making it ideal for enterprises.

Conclusion

Choosing between Zulip and Mattermost depends upon the specific needs of your team. If you require structured, threaded conversations, Zulip may be the preferred option. Conversely, if your team emphasizes customization, ease of use, and integration with DevOps tools, Mattermost could be the better choice. Both platforms offer valuable features aimed at enhancing communication within teams, thus choosing the one that aligns best with your organizational culture is crucial.