Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

AstraChat VS Zulip

Compare AstraChat VS Zulip and see what are their differences

AstraChat logo AstraChat

AstraChat is a reliable mobile & desktop cross platform chat and communication solution that allows you to exchange information and data securely in real time.

Zulip logo Zulip

Chat for distributed teams. Zulip combines the immediacy of real-time chat with an email threading model. With Zulip, you can catch up on important conversations while ignoring irrelevant ones.
  • AstraChat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-11

AstraChat is an enterprise chat and messaging product that provides privacy and security out of the box.

  • Zulip Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21

AstraChat features and specs

  • Direct Client
    AstraChat is a direct XMPP client that connects straight to your XMPP server without any proxy server in-between, ensuring direct and secure communication.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    AstraChat supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, allowing for seamless communication across devices.
  • No Server Required
    Users can connect to any XMPP server without needing to set up a separate chat server, which reduces setup complexity and resource requirements.
  • End-to-End Encryption
    AstraChat offers end-to-end encryption to ensure communication remains private and secure from potential eavesdroppers.
  • Integration Capabilities
    It supports integration with other communication systems and tools, providing flexibility and enhancing productivity within organizations.

Possible disadvantages of AstraChat

  • Basic UI
    The user interface of AstraChat is quite basic and may not be as visually appealing or intuitive as those of some modern chat applications.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to other contemporary messaging apps, AstraChat may lack some advanced features and customization options often found in more popular applications.
  • XMPP Knowledge Required
    Users or administrators might require some knowledge of XMPP protocols and server configurations to make the best use of AstraChat, which can be a hurdle for non-technical users.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Depending on the XMPP server being used, there can be compatibility issues that might require troubleshooting and adjustments.
  • Dependency on XMPP
    Being dependent on XMPP means that its functionality is tied to the capabilities and limitations of the XMPP protocol, which might not support every modern feature users expect.

Zulip features and specs

  • Threaded Conversations
    Zulip's unique approach to messaging allows users to conduct separate threaded conversations within the same channel, making it easier to follow and manage multiple discussions simultaneously.
  • Open Source
    Zulip is open-source software, meaning you can modify and self-host it, providing greater flexibility and control over your communication environment.
  • Powerful Search
    Zulip offers a robust search functionality that allows users to quickly find messages, files, and details across channels and threads, improving efficiency.
  • Integrations
    Zulip supports a wide variety of integrations with other tools and services, enhancing productivity and ensuring seamless workflows.
  • Cross-Platform
    Zulip is available on multiple platforms, including web, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), and mobile (iOS, Android), ensuring accessibility and convenience.
  • Granular Notification Settings
    Users have comprehensive control over notification settings, allowing them to manage their time and focus better by receiving only the alerts they need.
  • Scalability
    Zulip is designed to handle a large number of users and messages, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes.
  • Security
    Zulip offers robust security features, including end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and compliance with various industry standards.

Possible disadvantages of Zulip

  • Steeper Learning Curve
    New users may find the interface and the concept of threaded conversations initially challenging to grasp compared to more traditional chat apps.
  • Limited Market Adoption
    Zulip is not as widely adopted as other chat platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, which might limit its support ecosystem and community resources.
  • Less Familiar UX
    Users accustomed to mainstream chat applications may find Zulip's user experience less intuitive, requiring time to adapt.
  • Integration Complexity
    While integrations are a strong point, implementing and managing these integrations can sometimes be complex and require additional technical expertise.
  • Mobile App Experience
    Some users report that the mobile app experience is less polished compared to the desktop or web versions, which can be frustrating for heavily mobile-dependent users.
  • Feature Volume
    The abundance of features can sometimes be overwhelming for users who only need basic chat functionality, potentially leading to a cluttered interface.

Analysis of Zulip

Overall verdict

  • Zulip is a solid option for teams looking for a more structured and organized communication platform, especially if threading and open-source flexibility are priorities.

Why this product is good

  • Zulip is considered a good choice for team communication due to its unique threading model, which allows for more organized discussions. It helps prevent conversations from getting jumbled together, as often happens in other chat platforms. Additionally, Zulip is open-source, providing more control and customization options for users, and it integrates with numerous tools to enhance productivity. Its user-friendly interface and robust search capabilities also contribute to a positive user experience.

Recommended for

    Zulip is recommended for organizations and teams that value open-source software, require structured threading for discussions, and want to maintain organized communication channels. It's also ideal for remote teams or any group that engages in complex, multi-topic dialogues.

AstraChat videos

AstraChat - Private and Secure Slack Alternative

More videos:

  • Review - AstraChat Video Ads 2018

Zulip videos

Zulip - a Free, Open Source, Self Hosted Alternative to Slack and Microsoft Teams Chat.

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to AstraChat and Zulip)
Communication
6 6%
94% 94
Group Chat & Notifications
Messaging
7 7%
93% 93
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare AstraChat and Zulip

AstraChat Reviews

We have no reviews of AstraChat yet.
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Zulip Reviews

7 best Mattermost alternatives for secure business messaging
Zulip is a team chat and communication tool that allows business teams to collaborate efficiently. It is an open-source tool and offers a unique thread-based model that allows topic-based discussions internally. So, it is easy to coordinate multiple projects and hold virtual discussions with cross-functional teams.
Source: www.rocket.chat
12 Best Self-hosted Chat Platforms For Team Communication
Zulip’s team chat platform acts like a moderator in sending in only relevant messages and ignoring the spamming ones. It follows a threading model and hence topic-based chats are seamlessly possible.
Zulip 5.0: Threaded open-source team chat
Zulip for Education. We have seen more and more educators using Zulip as the communication hub for their classes. Zulip’s threading model makes it a great fit for posting lecture notes and announcements, answering students’ questions, and coordinating with teaching staff all in one place. In response to interest from educators, we have launched a dedicated Zulip for...
Source: blog.zulip.com
Top 10 Team Chat Software for a Self-Hosted environment specifically designed for Large Enterprises
Catch upon only important conversations and ignore irrelevant ones, is what Zulip says. Open-Source software that was built by hundreds of developers across the globe. The self-hosted delivery model specifically designed for Large Entities provides an excellent production installation guide that lets users deploy it on their networks. Besides its 90 native integrations,...
Zulip Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions Do you have special plans for open source projects, non-profits, groups of friends, and other non-commercial entities? Does Zulip scale to a large number of users? Can I pay by credit card and/or invoice? Can I start on Zulip Cloud and later move to On-Premise? How are guest users billed? Who can I contact if I have further questions?
Source: zulipchat.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Zulip seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 58 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

AstraChat mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of AstraChat yet. Tracking of AstraChat recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Zulip mentions (58)

  • Discord co-founder and CEO Jason Citron is stepping down
    Https://zulip.com/ is good but videoconferencing has to be a 3d party. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Ask HN: User communities that aren't Discord?
    Zulip is a pretty nice option https://zulip.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Slack updates retention policy for free workspaces
    Https://zulip.com is one of the better alternatives with an option for self-hosting. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Slack wants to become the 'long-term memory' for organizations
    > A customer of mine would like a mix between a chat and a forum software Zulip is closer to that I think https://zulip.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Slack AI Training with Customer Data
    To all the people asking about self-hosted alternatives, I can recommend zulip[0], and this article[1] explaining why. [0] https://zulip.com/ [1] https://monadical.com/posts/how-to-make-remote-work-part-two-zulip.html#. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing AstraChat and Zulip, you can also consider the following products

Mattermost - Mattermost is an open source alternative to Slack.

Slack - A messaging app for teams who see through the Earth!

Telegram - Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free.

Element.io - Secure messaging app with strong end-to-end encryption, advanced group chat privacy settings, secure video calls for teams, encrypted communication using Matrix open network. Riot.im is now Element.

Rocket.Chat - Rocket.Chat is a Web Chat Server, developed in JavaScript, using the Meteor fullstack framework.

Pidgin - Pidgin is an easy to use and free chat client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and more chat networks all at once.