Rocket

What is Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat is an open communication platform that centralizes real-time messaging, voice, video, apps, and AI into a single, deployable solution for organizations that require high control over data and infrastructure. The product is available as self-hosted software that organizations can run in their own data centers or private cloud, and as a managed cloud offering for teams that prefer hosted operations. Rocket.Chat emphasizes security, data sovereignty, and operational resilience for mission-critical environments.

The platform is positioned for environments with strict security requirements—defense, intelligence, emergency management, utilities, and regulated enterprise teams—where vendor lock-in, foreign jurisdiction concerns, or uncontrolled third-party access would be unacceptable. It supports deployments ranging from standard cloud to on-premises, air-gapped installations and high-assurance networks with granular access and retention controls.

Technical users will find that Rocket.Chat combines core collaboration features (channels, direct messages, threaded conversations) with integrated VoIP, video conferencing, app extensibility, and AI-driven automation. Administrators can adapt the platform with custom apps and integrations, enforce strict identity and access controls, and maintain comprehensive audit trails for compliance and incident response.

Rocket.Chat features

What does Rocket.Chat do?

Rocket.Chat provides an integrated communications workspace that lets internal and external stakeholders exchange messages, voice, video, and data with configurable security controls. It offers:

• Real-time group and direct messaging with message threading, pinning, and rich media support.
• Integrated VoIP and video calling capabilities that operate inside the same workspace to reduce context switching.
• App and bot platform for custom workflows, automations, and integrations with external systems such as ticketing, identity providers, or analytics.
• AI-assisted features for message summarization, automated routing, and searchable insights to reduce manual work and surface relevant information quickly.

Administrators get enterprise-grade governance features to enforce data retention, monitor logs, and control who can see or transmit information. The platform supports role-based access control (RBAC), single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and fine-grained permissions for channels and resources. For environments that require absolute control, Rocket.Chat supports air-gapped and on-prem deployments that keep sensitive data within an organization’s own boundary.

Operationally, Rocket.Chat is built for continuity: the platform supports high-availability deployments, replication across regions, and resilience mechanisms that ensure communications persist during outages. Federated communication and bridging allow multi-organization collaboration without centralizing data when security or sovereignty concerns exist.

Security and compliance features include full encryption (in transit and configurable at rest), detailed audit logging, configurable data retention and deletion policies, and integrations with enterprise identity stacks. For organizations evaluating security posture, review their enterprise documentation including their enterprise security features to confirm certifications and deployment guidance.

Rocket.Chat pricing

Rocket.Chat offers flexible pricing tailored to different business needs, from individual users to large mission-critical deployments. The vendor supports both self-hosted and hosted offerings; self-hosted deployments can be run under the Free Plan model while managed cloud or enterprise offerings are available under paid tiers. Pricing is typically structured with monthly and annual billing options, and enterprise customers receive custom quotes for advanced features, compliance packages, and dedicated support.

• Free Plan: Available for self-hosted community deployments; includes core messaging and basic features suitable for small teams or internal pilots.
• Starter: Entry-level managed and self-hosted support packages that add basic administration tools and standard support SLAs for production use.
• Professional: Mid-tier packages that include enhanced security features, advanced integrations, and higher support levels appropriate for larger teams.
• Enterprise: Custom enterprise agreements that include specialist deployment support (air-gapped installs, DoD IL6 environments), advanced compliance, SLAs, and professional services.

Because Rocket.Chat supports highly customized deployments and enterprise contracts, pricing depends on deployment model (self-hosted vs managed cloud), number of users, required compliance certifications, and support levels. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

How much is Rocket.Chat per month

Rocket.Chat offers competitive pricing plans that can be billed monthly for managed cloud offerings or covered under subscription/support agreements for self-hosted installations. Monthly rates vary by plan level and feature set; smaller teams often start on entry-level managed plans while larger or classified deployments receive custom monthly or per-seat pricing from sales. Visit their official pricing page for specific monthly rates and seat-based options.

How much is Rocket.Chat per year

Rocket.Chat offers annual billing options that commonly provide discounts compared with monthly billing for hosted plans and include multi-year enterprise contracts for large customers. Annual pricing is frequently negotiated for enterprise deployments and may include professional services, implementation, and security validation. For current annual pricing and potential discounts, visit their official pricing page.

How much is Rocket.Chat in general

Rocket.Chat pricing ranges from a free self-hosted community option to custom enterprise agreements. Small teams can evaluate functionality at no software cost by self-hosting the community edition, while production-ready features and enterprise-grade support are part of paid Starter, Professional, and Enterprise offerings. The final price depends on deployment choices (self-host vs managed cloud), user counts, compliance requirements, and optional services such as on-prem installation, air-gapped setup, or dedicated support.

Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

What is Rocket.Chat used for

Rocket.Chat is used to consolidate multiple communication channels—chat, voice, video, and apps—into a single platform where teams can collaborate securely and with full control over their data. Typical use cases include secure internal collaboration for government agencies, federated communications across partner organizations, emergency response coordination, and regulated enterprise communication where auditability and data sovereignty are required.

Operational examples:

• Emergency operations centers use Rocket.Chat to coordinate responders, share situation reports, and maintain auditable chat logs that support funding and after-action reviews.
• Defense and intelligence units deploy air-gapped or on-prem installations to communicate across classified programs while preventing data leakage between compartments.
• Utilities and critical infrastructure teams use federated channels to coordinate with vendors and contractors while retaining control over operational data.

Beyond these core mission uses, Rocket.Chat is also used for modern internal communications, customer-facing support chat, and as a unified comms layer where integrations connect business systems—ticketing, identity providers, analytics, and workflow automation—all inside the same platform.

Pros and cons of Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat provides strong advantages where control, security, and flexibility are primary requirements. Pros include:

• Strong support for self-hosting and air-gapped deployments that preserve data sovereignty and reduce third-party exposure.
• Broad feature set that includes messaging, VoIP, video, app extensions, and AI tool integration in a single platform.
• Extensible architecture with an app marketplace and APIs that enable custom integrations and workflow automation.
• Enterprise governance controls: RBAC, granular retention policies, audit logs, and identity provider integration.

Limitations and trade-offs to consider:

• Self-hosting requires operational resources for deployment, backups, patching, monitoring, and high-availability configuration compared with fully managed SaaS alternatives.
• Advanced security certifications or validated ATOs for specific classified networks may require additional professional services and time to achieve for some customers.
• Feature parity and user experience can vary between managed cloud and self-hosted installations depending on the configuration and versioning you maintain.

Before selecting Rocket.Chat, evaluate staff capacity for system administration, the need for specialized compliance packages, and the integration requirements that will drive custom development or professional services.

Rocket.Chat free trial

Rocket.Chat allows organizations to evaluate core features through self-hosted community versions or trial periods on their managed cloud offering. The self-hosted option gives immediate hands-on access to core capabilities without license cost, allowing teams to assess messaging, VoIP, video, and integrations in a controlled environment.

Managed cloud trials (when offered) provide a zero-setup evaluation for teams that want to test hosted features, administrative interfaces, and built-in integrations. These trials typically include temporary access to paid features so teams can validate performance, workflows, and administrative controls before committing to a subscription.

For an evaluation aligned to your security posture, request trial guidance or pilot support from Rocket.Chat sales so you can test air-gapped or self-hosted deployment patterns relevant to your environment. Visit their cloud portal and deployment guides for installation instructions and trial options.

Is Rocket.Chat free

Yes, Rocket.Chat offers a free self-hosted community edition. The community edition includes core messaging and collaboration capabilities suitable for small teams, pilots, and internal research environments. For production use, enterprise features, compliance packages, and hosted support, organizations typically move to paid Starter, Professional, or Enterprise plans that include SLA-backed support and additional security controls.

Rocket.Chat API

Rocket.Chat exposes a comprehensive API surface for integrations, bots, and automation. The platform provides REST APIs for common operations (messages, users, channels) and a real-time API (based on WebSocket/DDP) for building interactive applications and live integrations. Developers can use the API to:

• Integrate with identity providers (SSO/LDAP) and external user directories.
• Automate user provisioning, channel lifecycle management, and retention rules.
• Create bots and apps that respond to messages, post notifications, or orchestrate workflows with external systems.

Development resources include a documented developer portal and sample SDKs, and the source code is available on GitHub for self-hosted installations that want to extend core functionality or audit the code base. For API references and developer guides, consult their developer documentation and GitHub repository to understand rate limits, authentication flows, and extension mechanisms.

10 Rocket.Chat alternatives

Paid alternatives to Rocket.Chat

• Slack — Popular hosted team messaging platform with a strong ecosystem of integrations and apps; widely used for internal collaboration but primarily a SaaS service with limited self-hosting options.
• Microsoft Teams — Integrated with Microsoft 365, offers chat, meetings, and collaboration tightly coupled with Office apps; common in enterprise environments that standardize on Microsoft.
• Zoom — Primarily focused on video conferencing and webinars, Zoom also offers chat and phone services as part of its unified communications portfolio.
• Cisco Webex — Enterprise conferencing and collaboration suite with strong focus on security, calling, and meeting features for large organizations.
• Workplace from Meta — Social and messaging tools tailored to organizational communication with integrations to the Facebook ecosystem and emphasis on enterprise social features.
• Twilio (Flex/Conversations) — Programmable communications platform for building custom messaging and contact center experiences; requires development investment.

Open source alternatives to Rocket.Chat

• Mattermost — Open source messaging platform focused on self-hosting, compliance, and DevOps workflows; widely adopted by teams that need on-prem control.
• Matrix / Element — Matrix is an open protocol for decentralized communication; Element is a popular client implementing Matrix with federation and end-to-end encryption.
• Zulip — Open source chat with a threaded message model optimized for asynchronous discussions and long-running conversations.
• Nextcloud Talk — Part of the Nextcloud suite, provides self-hosted audio, video, and chat integrated with file sharing and collaboration tools.
• Jitsi — Open source project focused on video conferencing and VoIP that can be combined with other chat platforms for a self-hosted comms stack.

Frequently asked questions about Rocket.Chat

What is Rocket.Chat used for?

Rocket.Chat is used for secure, unified communications. Organizations use it to centralize messaging, voice, video, and apps into a single platform that can be self-hosted or managed for data sovereignty, auditability, and operational resilience. It’s common in defense, emergency response, regulated industries, and enterprises that require fine-grained security controls.

How does Rocket.Chat support secure deployments?

Rocket.Chat supports on-premises, air-gapped, and secure cloud deployments. Administrators can enforce RBAC, SSO, MFA, encryption, and granular retention policies, and the platform offers tools and professional services to deploy in classified or highly regulated networks. Review their enterprise security features to confirm certifications and deployment guidance.

Does Rocket.Chat offer a free version?

Yes, Rocket.Chat offers a free self-hosted community edition. The community edition includes core messaging and communication tools that let organizations evaluate the platform without license costs; advanced features and enterprise support are part of paid plans.

Can Rocket.Chat be used in air-gapped environments?

Yes, Rocket.Chat can be deployed in air-gapped environments. The architecture supports isolated installs with no external connectivity, allowing teams to run fully self-contained servers while maintaining the same feature set for messaging and local integrations.

Is Rocket.Chat suitable for regulated industries?

Yes, Rocket.Chat is suitable for regulated industries when configured appropriately. The platform provides data governance controls, audit logs, retention policies, and identity integrations needed for compliance; enterprise customers can obtain deployment guidance and professional services for specific regulatory needs.

When should I choose Rocket.Chat over hosted SaaS alternatives?

Choose Rocket.Chat when data control, sovereignty, or air-gapped operation is required. If your organization needs to retain full control over infrastructure, avoid third-party access, or implement specific network isolation or compliance requirements, Rocket.Chat’s self-hosted and enterprise capabilities make it a strong choice.

Where can I find Rocket.Chat integrations and apps?

Rocket.Chat provides an app marketplace and developer documentation for integrations. The platform supports pre-built connectors for common services and a developer API/SDK to build custom bots, workflows, and third-party integrations; see their developer docs and GitHub projects for examples and code.

How much does Rocket.Chat cost per user?

Rocket.Chat offers flexible pricing plans that vary by deployment model and support level rather than a single per-user price. Self-hosted community editions are free, while managed cloud and enterprise packages are priced based on features, users, and support; visit their official pricing page for specific rates and quotes.

Does Rocket.Chat provide an API for automation?

Yes, Rocket.Chat exposes REST and real-time APIs for automation and integrations. The APIs cover messaging, user lifecycle, and channel management and enable bots, webhooks, and custom apps to interact with the platform in near real time.

Can Rocket.Chat federate communications across organizations?

Yes, Rocket.Chat supports federated communications and cross-organization collaboration. Federation models and bridge integrations let organizations coordinate with partners while maintaining separate control over their own servers and data, which is useful for coalition operations and multi-agency response.

### rocket.chat careers

Rocket.Chat hires across engineering, security, customer success, sales, and operations teams; roles often target cloud infrastructure engineers, security specialists, and enterprise solution architects who can support complex deployments. Careers listings and openings are typically published on their corporate careers page and developer community channels.

### rocket.chat affiliate

Rocket.Chat offers partner and reseller programs for organizations that provide deployment, integration, and managed services to customers. Affiliates and partners may gain access to partner portals, dedicated onboarding resources, and co-sell opportunities—check Rocket.Chat’s partner pages for program details and application guidance.

### Where to find rocket.chat reviews

Independent reviews and customer testimonials can be found on major software review sites and analyst reports; look for product feedback on sites such as G2, Capterra, and public case studies. For security and deployment-specific references, consult vendor case studies that discuss air-gapped or classified program deployments and review independent audits when available.

Additional resources and next steps

If you’re evaluating Rocket.Chat for mission-critical operations, consider the following practical steps:

• Run a self-hosted pilot to evaluate operational requirements for patching, backup, and monitoring.
• Engage vendor professional services early for air-gapped or classified deployments to validate architecture and compliance requirements.
• Map integration requirements (identity providers, ticketing, ICS/SCADA connectors) and use the API or app platform to prototype automation and bots.
• Conduct a security assessment referencing their enterprise security features and request architecture guidance for high-assurance environments.

These steps will help you assess whether Rocket.Chat meets your operational, security, and compliance needs while estimating total cost of ownership for self-hosted vs. managed deployments.