What does Zulip replace?

Zulip is a free alternative to Slack ($87/yr).

Is Zulip open source?

Yes. Zulip is licensed under Apache-2.0, an OSI-approved open-source license.

Yes (self-hosted server; web UI).

Yes. Zulip is a server app you run on your own server, and its repository includes Docker files.

A free, open-source alternative to Slack. Switching saves $87/yr at list price.

Checked Oct 17, 2026 · How we check

Self-hosted server

Open source · Apache-2.0 Linux Self-hostable

zulip/zulip26.0k★last push Oct 12, 2026checked Oct 17, 2026

Self-host

Runs on your own Linux server, with Docker files in the repo. Setup docs are on zulip.com.

What does Zulip replace?: Zulip is a free alternative to Slack ($87/yr).
Is Zulip open source?: Yes. Zulip is licensed under Apache-2.0, an OSI-approved open-source license.
Does Zulip run on Linux?: Yes (self-hosted server; web UI).
Can you self-host Zulip?: Yes. Zulip is a server app you run on your own server, and its repository includes Docker files.