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Rocket.Chat

Secure, customizable communication platform for teams and customers

A TypeScript‑based, self‑hosted chat solution that delivers end‑to‑end privacy, omnichannel engagement, AI‑enhanced productivity, and extensible app integration for enterprises worldwide.

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Overview

Highlights

Role‑based access control for secure internal and cross‑company collaboration
Omnichannel messaging across WhatsApp, SMS, email, and web chat
Self‑hosted AI assistants and a customizable workspace
Extensible Apps‑Engine with marketplace and custom app development

Pros

  • Strong focus on data protection and privacy
  • Flexible deployment options (Docker, Kubernetes, air‑gapped, cloud)
  • Rich integration ecosystem via Apps‑Engine
  • Active global community and enterprise adoption

Considerations

  • Self‑hosting can require DevOps expertise
  • Feature set may be overwhelming for very small teams
  • Performance depends on underlying infrastructure
  • Limited official support without premium cloud offering

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Fit guide

Great for

  • Enterprises needing on‑premise, compliant communication
  • Public sector agencies with strict data residency rules
  • Companies that want to extend chat with custom apps
  • Teams seeking omnichannel customer engagement

Not ideal when

  • Very small teams looking for a simple plug‑and‑play chat
  • Organizations without in‑house technical resources for self‑hosting
  • Use cases requiring only basic messaging without integrations
  • Businesses that need a fully managed SaaS without any infrastructure responsibility

How teams use it

Secure internal collaboration for a multinational railway

Employees across regions communicate in real time while meeting GDPR and internal security policies.

Citizen support center using omnichannel chat

Public inquiries are handled via WhatsApp, SMS, and web, improving response times and satisfaction.

AI‑assisted help desk

Self‑hosted AI bots suggest solutions, reducing ticket volume and accelerating issue resolution.

Custom workflow integration

Developed apps automate ticket routing and sync with existing ERP systems, streamlining operations.

Tech snapshot

TypeScript93%
JavaScript3%
CSS2%
HTML1%
SCSS1%
Dockerfile1%

Tags

meteormitreal-timechathacktoberfestslackcollaborationfreewebrtcjavascriptfoss

Frequently asked questions

Can Rocket.Chat be deployed on-premise?

Yes, it supports Docker, Podman, Kubernetes, and traditional server installations for on‑premise deployments.

Is there a way to run Rocket.Chat without internet access?

An air‑gapped deployment option is provided for isolated networks and regulated environments.

How does Rocket.Chat handle data privacy?

All communications are end‑to‑end encrypted, and the platform offers role‑based access control and self‑hosting, keeping data under your control.

Can I extend functionality with my own applications?

The open‑source Apps‑Engine lets you build, install, and publish custom apps from the Marketplace or your codebase.

What client platforms are available?

Desktop apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, and mobile apps for iOS and Android, plus a responsive web client.

Project at a glance

Active
Stars
44,376
Watchers
44,376
Forks
12,982
Repo age10 years old
Last commit3 hours ago
Primary languageTypeScript

Last synced 3 hours ago