Introduction
Seamless team communication is essential in today’s fast-paced digital environment. While proprietary platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams are widely used, they have significant limitations, such as recurring subscription costs, limited customization options, and a lack of full data control. For development companies, these limitations can hinder innovation and operational efficiency.
Enter open-source communication platforms like Mattermost — a flexible, cost-effective, and secure alternative that empowers teams to collaborate without compromise. This post explores why your company should embrace open-source communication tools, their advantages over proprietary solutions, and how they can drive greater productivity and control for your organization.
1. Full Control Over Data and Security
When you use a proprietary communication tool, your data resides on someone else’s servers. While these platforms promise security, you lack direct oversight of storing, using, or sharing your data. This can be a deal-breaker for companies handling sensitive client data or working in regulated industries.
Why Open Source Wins:
- Self-Hosting Options: Open-source tools like Mattermost allow you to host your data on your own servers or cloud infrastructure, ensuring full compliance with internal security policies and regulations.
- Transparency: With access to the source code, you can verify and audit the software to ensure it meets your security standards.
- Custom Security Enhancements: To strengthen your platform, add features like two-factor authentication (2FA), SSO integration, and custom encryption.
2. Cost-Efficiency: Pay for Resources, Not Licenses
Proprietary platforms often require per-user, per-month subscriptions, which can become costly as your team grows. For startups or scaling organizations, these recurring costs can eat into budgets that could be better spent on innovation.
Why Open Source Wins:
- No Licensing Fees: Most open-source platforms are free to use, with optional costs for hosting and support.
- Scalable Infrastructure: Your costs grow with your resource usage (e.g., server capacity), not the number of users.
- Customizable Hosting: Deploy on-premises or use affordable cloud services like AWS, DigitalOcean, or Linode to minimize costs.
Cost and Feature Comparison: Slack vs. Microsoft Teams vs. Mattermost
| Feature | Slack (Pro Plan) | Microsoft Teams (Business Basic) | Mattermost (Self-Hosted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per User/Month | $7.25 (Yearly) / $8.75 (Monthly) | $6.00 (Yearly) | $0 (Open Source) |
| Data Control | Limited | Limited | Full Control |
| Custom Integrations | Limited to API & Plugins | Microsoft 365 Ecosystem | Unlimited with Open APIs |
| Scalability | Expensive as the team grows | Requires Microsoft 365 subscription | Resource-Based Costs |
| Hosting | Vendor-Controlled | Vendor-Controlled | Self-Hosted or Cloud-Based |
| Security & Compliance | Enterprise-Grade | Microsoft Compliance Standards | Fully Customizable |
Cost Analysis for Growing Agencies (20-30 Users)
If you have a team of 20-30 users, the cost differences between these platforms become even more evident:
| Platform | Cost for 20 Users (Per Month) | Cost for 30 Users (Per Month) |
|---|---|---|
| Slack (Pro Plan) | $145 – $175 | $217.50 – $262.50 |
| Microsoft Teams | $120 | $180 |
| Mattermost (Self-Hosted) | ~$40 – $60 (Infrastructure only) | ~$60 – $80 (Scalable based on need) |
By self-hosting Mattermost, growing agencies can significantly reduce long-term operational costs while maintaining full control and flexibility.
Initial Costs of Self-Hosting
You can start with free-tier AWS services for testing and small-scale deployments. Below is an estimate for a minimal setup:
| Expense | Estimated Cost (Free Tier) |
|---|---|
| AWS EC2 (t2.small) | Free for 750 hours/month |
| AWS RDS (Free-tier DB) | Free for 750 hours/month |
| AWS S3 Storage | Free up to 5GB |
| Setup & Configuration | Time Investment: 3-5 hours |
Ongoing Costs of Scaling
As your organization grows, infrastructure needs increase. Below is a rough estimate:
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| AWS EC2 Hosting (t3.medium) | ~$32/month |
| AWS RDS for PostgreSQL | ~$52/month (Can be reduced by archiving or deleting old data) |
| AWS S3 Storage (Optional) | ~$5-10/month (Reducible by restricting file retention and deleting unused data) |
| Maintenance & Updates | 1-2 hours/month |
By implementing data retention policies such as archiving old messages, deleting inactive teams, and setting storage limits, companies can further optimize infrastructure costs while maintaining operational efficiency.
3. Unlimited Customization and Integration
Proprietary platforms often have limitations on integrations, features, or workflows. For development teams that rely on specific tools and need custom processes, this lack of flexibility can be a bottleneck.
Why Open Source Wins:
- Full API Access: With Mattermost, you get unrestricted API access to integrate with tools like Jira, GitHub, Trello, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Custom Plugins: Create plugins to add new functionalities tailored to your team’s workflow.
- User Interface (UI) Flexibility: Modify themes, layouts, and notifications to align with your company’s branding and preferences.
4. Enhanced Scalability for Growing Teams
As your company scales, your communication platform should adapt without requiring exorbitant costs or complex migrations. Proprietary solutions often impose user or feature caps, forcing you to upgrade to costly enterprise plans.
Why Open Source Wins:
- No User Caps: Add as many users as needed without worrying about license fees.
- Horizontal Scaling: Deploy additional servers or instances to handle increased traffic or team size.
- Cloud Flexibility: Choose from on-premises, hybrid, or cloud deployments based on your evolving needs.
5. Fostering Innovation with Open Collaboration
Open-source platforms thrive on community contributions. As a development company, using open-source software not only aligns with innovation but also enables your team to contribute and benefit from a global community of developers.
6. Long-Term Sustainability
With proprietary platforms, you’re at the mercy of the vendor. Price hikes, feature deprecations, or unexpected platform changes can disrupt your workflow. Open-source platforms, on the other hand, empower you to take full ownership of your communication infrastructure.
Final Thoughts
For development companies that prioritize flexibility, security, and cost efficiency, open-source platforms like Mattermost are a game-changer. By choosing open source, you’re not just adopting a tool — you’re investing in a solution that grows with your team, adapts to your needs, and empowers your business.
At Digitalux, we’ve experienced firsthand the transformative impact of open-source platforms. From cost savings to enhanced collaboration, the switch has empowered our team to work smarter and innovate faster. Ready to make the shift? Start your journey with an open-source platform today and unlock the true potential of team collaboration.
Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll guide you through deploying Mattermost on AWS for a secure, scalable, and cost-effective communication solution.
Need help with deployment? Our experts at Digitalux are here to guide you through the process. Contact us today to schedule a one-on-one meeting and unlock the full potential of open-source technology!
