6 free alternatives to Gitter

Element is free to use and gives access to the app with unlimited data history, end-to-end encryption by default, cross-signed device verification, private invite-only rooms, and messaging features like threads, read receipts, attachments, voice messages, polls, emojis, and reactions. It also includes collaboration features such as embedded links, share-to capabilities, file sharing, and integrations, plus voice and video calls with Element Call for 1:1 and group chat. It runs across desktop, browser, and mobile, so teams can keep the same Matrix-based workflow on many devices without paying for core chat access.

• Beats Gitter: Unlimited data history
• Falls short: The free offering is the app and features, but it is not described as an always-free hosted service for public and private conversations in the same way as Gitter.
• Who should switch: Switch to Element if your main problem is retaining chat history and you want more built-in collaboration features on the free plan.

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Braid's free forever community group is for open public groups and includes unlimited users, unlimited history, and unlimited integrations. That makes it straightforward for communities that expect growth and want to keep conversation records without worrying about a cap on users or history. The free plan is centered on public access, so it is a strong fit for open groups that want to organize chat around a community rather than around a single developer room. If you want a no-cost space with clearly stated unlimited capacity on the core axes, Braid keeps the promise simple.

• Beats Gitter: Unlimited users
• Falls short: It only covers a free forever community group with public access, so it is less suitable when you need private conversations.
• Who should switch: Switch to Braid if you are running an open community and want unlimited users and history on a free plan.

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Stream's free plan includes all Chat features, 1,000 monthly active users, 100 concurrent connections, community support, and no credit card required. For builders shipping a product chat experience, that gives you a concrete free allowance with published usage limits and a path to test real traffic. It is not a hosted community room product in the same way as Gitter, but it is useful when you need chat infrastructure and want to stay inside a free cap before scaling. The free plan is especially clear about capacity, which makes planning easier.

• Beats Gitter: 1,000 monthly active users
• Falls short: It is an API platform for building chat, not a ready-made developer community room service.
• Who should switch: Switch to Stream if you are building chat into your own app and want a free API quota instead of a hosted chat room.

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Chanty's free plan includes unlimited public and private chats, unlimited announcement channels, unlimited voice messages, scheduled and disappearing messages, unlimited searchable history, unlimited one-on-one audio and video calls, built-in task management, 20 GB file storage per team, message-to-task conversion, up to 5 team members, 1 guest user, 1 multi-conversation guest, up to 10 integrations, and community support. It is a more structured team collaboration workspace than a simple chat room, and the free plan clearly states where the practical caps are. If your team is small and needs chat plus lightweight task tracking, it is a reasonable step up.

• Beats Gitter: 20 GB file storage per team
• Falls short: The free plan is capped at 5 team members, so it is far less open-ended than Gitter for larger groups.
• Who should switch: Switch to Chanty if you want chat plus task management for a small team and can live within the member cap.

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Pumble's free plan includes unlimited users, unlimited message history, unlimited channels, voice and video messages, 1:1 voice and video meetings, native Clockify and Plaky integrations, Slack import, 10 GB storage per workspace, export from public channels, quote messages, and up to 3 apps and integrations. It is broad enough for general team communication while still staying free, and it works across desktop, web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux clients. The free plan is attractive when you want a conventional workspace chat tool with no user ceiling and modest storage.

• Beats Gitter: Unlimited users
• Falls short: Its free plan only allows up to 3 apps and integrations, which is narrower than some other collaboration tools.
• Who should switch: Switch to Pumble if you want a full team chat workspace with unlimited users and history on the free tier.

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Twist's free plan includes up to 1 month of comments and messages, up to 5 integrations, up to 5 GB file storage, standard support, up to 500 internal member accounts, and up to 500 external guest accounts. It is built for asynchronous team messaging, so it can suit teams that want threaded discussion and do not need a sprawling always-on room. The free tier is explicit about retention and account caps, which makes it easier to judge whether it fits your team before paying. It works best for organized work communication rather than open community chat.

• Beats Gitter: Up to 500 external guest accounts
• Falls short: History is limited to up to 1 month of comments and messages, which is much tighter than a no-cap community chat setup.
• Who should switch: Switch to Twist if your team prefers threaded async discussions and you are comfortable with limited free history.

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