Mattermost vs Slack vs Messagenius

Which secure group messaging software is best?

As remote and asynchronous work becomes more popular, organizations need tools that can help them communicate efficiently—and securely. We compare three popular messaging tools to see how they compare in terms of chat, security, and privacy features.

A quick disclaimer before we start…

We’ve done our best to make this comparison accurate. However, tech companies update their software regularly, so we can’t guarantee what you see here is 100% correct.

Mattermost vs Slack vs Messagenius:
A quick overview

Slack is a US-based chat app owned by software giant Salesforce. Popular with organizations of all sizes, it offers convenient messaging features in an easy-to-use interface. Slack operates with a SaaS model, meaning that your messaging data is stored on Slack’s own servers. Slack does not offer end-to-end encryption to its users.

Mattermost is a US-based messaging app owned by a private company. Essentially designed to be an open-source Slack, it offers similar chat functionality to Slack and a look-alike user interface. However, the major difference is that Mattermost is designed for self-hosting, either through a private cloud or on-premises hosting. While it has been created with security in mind, Mattermost does not have end-to-end encryption.

Messagenius is an EU-based messaging app, owned by a private company and headquartered in Rome, Italy. Designed to enable secure enterprise communication, it has a range of chat features including instant messaging, video calls, audio calls, and self-destructing messages. Like Mattermost, it offers on-premises hosting, but with the added protection of end-to-end encryption.

Mattermost vs Slack vs Messagenius

Data Security

Slack is a great app that’s widely loved by teams worldwide, but there’s a good reason enterprises often look for an alternative.

While Slack does have security features in place, it doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption—a feature that many organizations consider non-negotiable. In addition, it stores all of your chat data on its own cloud servers. Slack had a security breach in 2015, and its cloud storage model could represent a risk for enterprises with strict security requirements.

Mattermost and Messagenius fare much better than Slack on this front, with both offering self-hosting. In addition, both apps allow you to choose from on-premise or private cloud hosting.

Data Security

End-to-end Encryption
(scrambles message data)

Encryption while data is in transit

Encryption while data is in transit and at rest

Perfect forward secrecy
(encryption keys regularly changed)

Allows two-factor authentication

On-premise/private cloud hosting

Metadata encrypted

While in transit

Data Security

Conclusions

Slack’s security features mean it’s probably sufficient for companies that aren’t heavily regulated security-wise.

Mattermost and Messagenius certainly offer more security to enterprises thanks to their self-hosting capabilities. The question is, how important is end-to-end encryption to your organization? Mattermost does encrypt data through an AES-256 Algorithm with TLC protocol, which many consider highly secure. Mattermost, like Slack, takes a different approach to encryption in order to allow its users to easily search through their chat history.

Only Messagenius provides both self-hosting and end-to-end encryption, while retaining the ability to let you search through old messages.

See Messagenius for yourself

Discover the enterprise messaging app that gives you advanced security without compromising on chat features.

Mattermost vs Slack vs Messagenius

Data Privacy

With data privacy becoming important to both individuals and organizations, everyone needs a chat app that protects their personal data—even at work.

Let’s see how the apps stack up on data privacy features.

Data Privacy

Does not collect user data during signup

Registration with user name only is possible

Registration with user name only is possible

Does not send user data to the app provider

Messages cannot be read by the app provider

Does not pass on data to third parties

GDPR-compliant

Data Security

Conclusions

Despite being a great messaging app, Slack is the weakest of the three when it comes to data privacy. While Slack generally has a good data privacy record, it has handed over user records to US law enforcement agencies before. Slack says that it places strict control over its employees’ access to user data, but will allow it when it is “necessary to do so”.

Both Messagenius and Mattermost have better data privacy capabilities here. Because of the apps’ self-hosting capabilities, they don’t pass data on to the provider, and they don’t require personal information for user sign-up. What’s more, both support GDPR compliance.

Mattermost vs Slack vs Messagenius

Secure Messaging

If you’re working in a highly-secure industry, like banking or healthcare, hackers are not your only concern. You also need to be sure that unauthorized people—including your own colleagues—can’t physically access sensitive messages.

One of the best ways to get extra protection is through self-destructing messages, which delete themselves after a set time period. However, Slack and Mattermost lack this key feature, along with some others.

Secure Messaging

Self-destructing-messages

Possible with 3rd party Slack app

Message Stay

With self-hosted option

With self-hosted option

Anonymous chatting
(chats do not show emails or phone number)

Sender can delete their messages on the recipient’s device

Protected messages
(requiring fingerprint or captcha to open)

Timestamps logged by the provider

Does not confirm whether message was read

Does not confirm whether message was read

With proof of receipt

Secure Messaging

Conclusions

Slack doesn’t fare well in this table, based on its native capabilities. However, we have to give credit where credit’s due. Slack also offers additional plugins through its Slack App store which allow users to send self-destructing messages. However, because third party plugins represent an additional security consideration, we haven’t included them in our analysis above.

As you can see, Mattermost offers some secure messaging features, such as the ability to globally delete sent messages. However, it does not offer self-destructing messages—although again, you may be able to get this capability through third-party plugins.

Only Messagenius offers self-destructing messages, private messages which recipients have to unlock, and proof of receipt.

See Messagenius for yourself

Discover the enterprise messaging app that gives you advanced security without compromising on chat features.

Mattermost vs Slack vs Messagenius

Communication tools

Your colleagues are accustomed to the convenient chat features they’ve got used in WhatsApp, Apple iMessages, and other apps. And in the workplace, they need additional features like file-sharing and video conferencing.

Let’s see how the apps compare in these vital communication features.

Communication Tools

1-on-1 chats

Group chats

#Channels

Voice calls

Available in beta

Video calls

Available in beta

File-sharing

Voice messages

Possible with plugin, but not on mobile

Emoji

Location sharing

Possible with 3rd party plugin

Broadcast messages(Send individual messages to every user)

Possible with 3rd party plugin

Incident rooms (Instant team chats for collaborating on pressing issues)

Possible with 3rd party plugin

Communication tools

Conclusions

As you can see, all three apps offer the full spectrum of messaging and communication features. However, with Slack and Mattermost, you may need to work a little harder to get them. Some of these tools, like location sharing, are only available with 3rd party apps/plug-ins.

(Again, we haven’t included third party apps in our analysis because they represent an additional security consideration.)

Only Messagenius brings you all the chat features you need, plus extras like location sharing and voice messages, without the need for plug-ins.

Mattermost vs Slack vs Messagenius

Business features

If you’re bringing a team communications app into a large organization, it’s vital that it can integrate into your existing tech stack. Let’s see how well-equipped these apps are for this.

Business Features

White label(customize with your branding)

Integrationsthrough API/SDK

Workflow customizations

Chatbots(Plug + Play integration with chat tools)

Enterprise database sync

CTA messages(Messages with custom buttons like “accept invitation”)

Business features

Conclusions

On paper, all three apps offer your enterprise a similar level of customizability. In reality, your options for customization and integrating apps will depend on your current tech stack, and what you want to do with it.

Nevertheless, we can see that all three apps are designed to support enterprise technology needs. With Mattermost and Messagenius, you also have the option of white-labeling the mobile apps with your own branding. Slack does not offer this capability, although it does let you add your company logo to chat channels.

Which messaging app should I choose for my enterprise?

All three apps are excellent, and the best option will depend on your needs.

Slack is a great choice if you just want a user-friendly chat app with “probably good enough” data security and privacy. There’s no denying that Slack has a great interface that makes teamwork easy. However, being cloud-hosted, it’s not the ideal choice for enterprises with complex security requirements.

Mattermost is a great Slack alternative for companies who prefer self-hosting. Its similar-to-Slack UX, along with its project collaboration tools, make it a good fit for development teams who already like Slack. However, it lacks end-to-end encryption, and some user reviews suggest that its interface can be a little buggy.

Messagenius is the best choice for organizations that need extra security. As well as on-premise hosting, it comes with a range of helpful native features like self-destructing messages. However, while its API/SDKs offer a range of integrations, it doesn’t come with built-in project management tools.

See Messagenius for yourself

Discover the enterprise messaging app that gives you advanced security without compromising on chat features.

messagenius logo

Messagenius brings convenient communication to even the most
high-security enterprises

While we’re younger than Slack and Mattermost, our app has already won awards for cybersecurity. We’ve built Messagenius to bring you cutting edge data security, without compromising on chat capabilities.

Choose from three private hosting options:

You can install Messagenius:

on-premise installation icon

On-premise

on your enterprise private server for total data ownership and physical security.

on-premise installation icon

Enterprise private cloud

where you retain data ownership and enjoy the efficiency of cloud operations.

on-premise installation icon

Messagenius cloud server

created and dedicated for your sole enterprise use.

Keep total control of your encryption keys

Your data should be yours to own. So even though we provide the software you use, once we hand over the encryption keys, they’re yours alone.

What’s more, you’ll have the option of having multiple key holders within your organization, so you can share responsibility amongst trusted colleagues.

Messagnius fits in smoothly with your day-to-day business

White label service

When you’re using a messaging app every day, why not make it your own? With our white label service, you can customize the app’s interface and features to reflect your brand and company vision.

Smooth integrations

Get up and running faster thanks to Messagenius’s integrations. Connect Messagenius chats to your existing processes, and sync with Active Directory and LDAP for single sign-on with no phone number needed.

integration ldap microsoft sql database db

Customized workflows

Thanks to the Messagenius APIs, SDKs, and triggers, two-way connections with any workflow are possible. Trigger business processes in conversational mode with a Department Contact, in Control Rooms, or with AI-driven virtual agents and chatbots.

Incident Rooms

When your organization has to deal with a pressing incident, incident rooms help you gather a team to manage it. Quickly organize teams for healthcare emergencies, law enforcement responses, and other time-sensitive sectors.

Fine-tune Messagenius encryption to your business needs

Do you have specific, complex security needs that you need to meet? Adjust Messagenius’s encryption, user access, and file sharing for every user.

Convenient chat and collaboration features

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Discussion Channels
  • Group chats
  • Direct messages
  • #Channels
  • Video and voice call
  • Custom Workflows
  • Special Notifications
  • Message search
  • Do no disturb status

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Chat tools
  • Text messages
  • Audio messages
  • Images, Videos, GIFs, File sharing
  • Self-destructing messages
  • Priority messages

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Admin Dashboard
  • Real-time reports
  • Department accounts
  • User access
  • Broadcast Messages
  • Chat Export
  • And more…

See Messagenius for yourself

Discover the enterprise messaging app that gives you advanced security without compromising on chat features.

F.A.Q.

What devices does Messagenius run on?

The Messagenius app works on iOS and Android devices, and can be downloaded in the iPhone app store or Google play store. Messagenius can also work on mac, windows, and linux devices via web browser.

What is Mattermost used for?

As a secure communications app, Mattermost is often used by organizations that want a safer alternative to Slack or Microsoft Teams alternative. Its on-premise hosting means it can offer better data security than cloud-hosted solutions like Slack, but Mattermost doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption like Messagenius.

Is anything better than Slack?

Slack has a great user experience and helpful chat features, but it isn’t designed with enterprise security in mind. We think that for large organizations with high security requirements, Messagenius is an excellent on-premise alternative to Slack.