Mattermost connects Windows users to self-hosted team chat servers.
Mattermost is a desktop client for a team chat platform hosted on a server controlled by you or your organization. Its channels and threaded replies provide a way to organize discussions by project or topic, while keeping the service’s messages and files on the server rather than in a standalone chat account. This makes it relevant to technical teams that want channel-based communication and control over where their data is stored.
How the desktop client fits into a team setup
The Windows app does not provide chat on its own. On first launch, enter the URL of a Mattermost server and sign in with the account provided for that server. You can then add other servers through the server menu, with each connection available in the same desktop app. This arrangement is useful when a person participates in multiple Mattermost workspaces, but it also means setup depends on having access to a running server.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 are supported, with x64 and Arm64 listed as supported architectures. The wider Mattermost platform also runs on macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and in a web browser. For a Windows installation, the notes specify downloading the 64-bit MSI and running it.
Conversation tools and integrations
Teams can use public and private channels to separate conversations, then use threaded replies to keep responses attached to the relevant discussion. The client can connect to several Mattermost servers at once, so switching between organizational contexts does not require a separate desktop installation for each server.
Mattermost supports webhooks, bots, slash commands, and plugins, including integrations for tools such as GitHub and Jira. Self-hosted servers can also provide group audio calls with screen sharing. These capabilities make the platform suited to teams that want chat to connect with development and IT workflows, although available functions depend on the server setup.
Server editions and practical limits
The desktop application is open source under the Apache License 2.0, while the free Team Edition server is open source under the MIT license. Team Edition is intended for small teams and personal use, with a limit of fewer than 250 users and no single sign-on. Another free server option is Entry, the free mode of the commercial Enterprise Edition, which is aimed at fewer than 50 users and limits viewable channel history to 10,000 messages. Paid plans add support, compliance, and scaling options.
Because the app requires a server rather than supplying a ready-to-use chat service, teams should account for server operation as part of adoption. This requirement is central to Mattermost: the client connects to an existing Mattermost server, whether run by the team or its organization, and does not replace that infrastructure.
Who is likely to find it useful
Mattermost is a practical fit for developer and IT teams that want channel-based collaboration while retaining control of their server and stored data. Its integrations and support for multiple server connections add flexibility for people working across projects or organizations. The open-source desktop client and Team Edition can be used without a software license fee, but the server still needs to be available and maintained.
It is less suitable for someone seeking a free chat app that can be opened immediately without joining or running a server. Before choosing a free server edition, teams should also check whether its user scope, sign-on options, and message-history limits match their needs. In particular, Team Edition does not include single sign-on, while Entry restricts how much channel history can be viewed.
