Zulip - Powerful open source group chat

[girish]

Last I checked this a couple of years ago, the main blockers were that it needed rabbitmq (we need to make this an addon maybe or package it with the app itself) and also requires 2GB... https://github.com/zulip/zulip/issues/2320

[ruihildt]

This seem to be an updated docker image: https://github.com/galexrt/docker-zulip

I'm very much interested, as Rocket Chat and Mattermost lack proper threading.

[A Former User]

Best not to waste your time, guys!

4 years ago, it was acquired by Dropbox:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zulip

Only a matter of time before it goes proprietary.

[ruihildt]

@hillside502 said in Zulip - Powerful open source group chat:

Best not to waste your time, guys!

4 years ago, it was acquired by Dropbox:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zulip

Only a matter of time before it goes proprietary.

Actually, it's the opposite, when they acquired it, they open sourced it straight away. And since then, they have committed to be completely open source, and not open core, like Mattermost, for example.

I've recently read on Hacker News they plan to stick to that. (no link here sorry)

[A Former User]

@ruihildt
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16863675

[A Former User]

" Zulip is 100% open source software, built by a vibrant community of hundreds of developers from all around the world. With 120,000 words of developer documentation, a high quality code base, and a welcoming community, it’s easy to extend or tweak Zulip.

Zulip has a significantly larger and more active development community than other modern open source group chat solutions like Mattermost, Rocket.Chat, and matrix.org."
https://zulipchat.com/

Interesting integrations:-
https://zulipchat.com/integrations/

Positive reviews at:-
Zulip Reviews
https://alternativeto.net/software/zulip-chat-server/reviews/

[ruihildt]

https://www.reddit.com/user/tabbott

"Note that Zulip was never developed by Dropbox; they just bought the company and then generously donated the software to the open source community. It is developed primarily by Kandra Labs, an independent company, and our amazing community."

[jdaviescoates]

@heliostatic said in Zulip - Powerful open source group chat:

This would be great as a more complete alternative to RocketChat.

I'm loving RocketChat and so I'd love to know more about how Zulip is more complete from your perspective?

@ruihildt said in Zulip - Powerful open source group chat:

I'm very much interested, as Rocket Chat and Mattermost lack proper threading.

I'm intrigued, given RocketChat and Mattermost both do threads, are you able to elaborate on what makes Zulips threading "proper"?

Thanks!

[ruihildt]

@jdaviescoates Keep in mind that this was posted 2 years ago.^^

Zulip has a threading concept which is different (and more similar to replies in email), I would suggest to check their demo or website to see how that works.
It's less straightforward than threading in slack/mattermost/rocketchat, but once integrated, it's much better for having sub-discussions.

[jdaviescoates]

@ruihildt ah OK, thanks. Yeah, I think perhaps RocketChat at least didn't do threads at all two years OK! I'll try to play more with Zulip... although I'd have to play more with RocketChat and Mattermost too to compare as I've not really used any of them that much yet! (nor slack fwiw)

[robi]

https://github.com/zulip/docker-zulip

[A Former User]

I would love to see Zulip in here. Imo we need more chat options I think and Zulip is an impressive Slack alternative

[marcusquinn]

So-far on Cloudron I'm finding Mattermost the best of the bunch as a Discord/Slack alternative, and Rocket.Chat a decent tool for website livechat. Element I'm finding a bit too quirky but keeping an open mind.

Although, happy to give Zulip a try, would depend on being Slack API compatible to be a real contender IHMO.

[A Former User]

@marcusquinn Yeah I find the experience with element a bit... odd. UI stutters often. Issues joining rooms causing me to re-start the app

[robi]

@marcusquinn Mattermost feels closest to Slack, but it has huge security issues in a open/public/untrusted setting.

For example, anyone can remove & modify channels they're in and thoroughly mess with the intent and integrity of the setup. Only through obscurity do most people not find this.

[A Former User]

@robi Yes, mattermost is more useful for private groups or teams.

[marcusquinn]

"One of the many benefits of using @zulip

Not having to wake up to your work collaboration tool being owned by Salesforce [dot] com inc

#opensource Raising hands"

https://twitter.com/mojeek/status/1333542034846740480?s=20

[seeker]

Interesting... Labeling substreams with topics seems interesting to me. Tags can get confusing. Having used email, I think people would be able to use topics as they are closer to email subject headings.

A couple of videos about Zulip:

Introduction from a teacher using it with students

CEO of Zulip – Tim Abbott (INTERVIEWED)

[robi]

And it has a dark mode!

[marcusquinn]

My brief assessment:

• Zulip looks like a more polished UI & Mobile than Mattermost & Element.
• Zulip threads aren't that clever, you can recreate that with sub-channels in any other chat platform, eg:
  • #accounts
  • #accounts-receivable
  • #accounts-payable
  • #accounts-etc
• Zulip doesn't offer the Omnichannel features Rocket.chat is strongest at.
• Zulip doesn't have as many integrations as Mattermost.

So, for me, the main reasons for this would be a better Desktop & Mobile UX for private and remote groups.

I don't see it as better than Slack or Discord, other than being FOSS.

I don't see it as better than Rocket.chat, that already has a strong UX on all platforms and Omnichannel.

So, nice option to have, proof is in the daily usage but, like most, I won't get to test much more than that unless it's packaged and in the App Store, so that's one for those choosing what's the best bang for their time on that.