Is Rocket.Chat cheaper than Microsoft Teams Essentials?

Rocket.Chat and Microsoft Teams Essentials don't have directly comparable starting prices, so we don't publish a fabricated savings number. Check each provider's pricing page for your seat count.

Does Rocket.Chat have a free plan?

Yes — Rocket.Chat's pricing page lists a free tier (Free community; $4/user/mo Starter cloud). Limits apply; see source for current caps.

Does Microsoft Teams Essentials have a free plan?

Microsoft Teams Essentials does not advertise an ongoing free tier as of pricing checked June 2026. Pricing starts at $4/mo per user.

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Rocket.Chat vs. Microsoft Teams Essentials

pricing checked June 2026

Compare

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Rocket.Chat

$4/mo

Open-source team chat you can self-host or run on their cloud.

Best for: orgs with strict data residency or self-host needs
Model: per-seat

Compare

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Microsoft Teams Essentials

$4/mo

Microsoft team chat and meetings

Best for: Teams already on Microsoft 365
Model: per-seat

Pricing math

Pricing is plan-dependent — these tools don't have directly comparable starting prices, so we won't fabricate a savings number.

Verdict

Both tools serve the same category. Pick Rocket.Chat if you're orgs with strict data residency or self-host needs. Pick Microsoft Teams Essentials if you're teams already on microsoft 365.

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Caveats

Rocket.Chat: Mobile/desktop polish trails Slack
Microsoft Teams Essentials: Best experience requires Microsoft 365

Sources

Rocket.Chat pricing ↗Microsoft Teams Essentials pricing ↗

More comparisons

Other ways to swap Rocket.Chat or Microsoft Teams Essentials.

💬Rocket.Chat vs Discord→💬Microsoft Teams Essentials vs Discord→💬Rocket.Chat vs Slack Pro→💬Microsoft Teams Essentials vs Slack Pro→🟦Rocket.Chat vs Mattermost Professional→🟦Microsoft Teams Essentials vs Mattermost Professional→

Prices change often — verify on the vendor's site before switching.