Given the widespread use of instant messaging and chat apps for communication in 2023, organizations are prioritizing control over data exchanges on these platforms.
Markets and Markets reports that the on-premises collaboration market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.7% during the forecast period, with an expected market size of USD 85.8 billion by 2026.
What drives this growth? It is the increasing adoption of cloud-based and on-premises collaboration solutions by organizations!
On-premise chat servers are the ones that organizations can deploy on their own servers. This approach offers superior organizational security and privacy for businesses that deal with sensitive or confidential information.
However, numerous on-premise chat servers are available for organizations to deploy and collaborate securely.
This is why we have prepared a list of top-performing on-premise chat servers and highlighted their unique benefits to businesses. Let’s begin!
10 best on-premise chat solutions: a detailed list
Businesses have several options to choose from when it comes to on-premise chat solutions. Each solution offers unique features and functionalities that cater to different communication needs.
1. Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat is an open-source communication platform with features like public and private channels, direct messaging, file sharing, media sharing, and more. It is designed for self-hosted chat and can be installed on both on-premises and cloud servers.
Prominent security features
Rocket.Chat takes communication security as a top priority and offers a range of features to keep user data safe. Here are some important features that it offers:
- Classifies channels as public or private rooms
- Offers direct messaging, document sharing, video calls, and more
- End-to-end encryption of private messages
- Two-factor authentication for added security
- Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and other data privacy regulations
What makes it stand out from others?
As an on-premise chat solution, Rocket.Chat is exceptional due to its self-hosted nature. It gives greater control to businesses over their user data while customizing the platform to meet their specific needs.
Additionally, Rocket.Chat uses machine learning for real-time message translation and has a growing community of contributors adding new features and improvements.
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2. MirrorFly
MirrorFly is one of the most secure in-app chat, voice, and video solution providers for developers and enterprises. They are well known among developers for providing an aesthetic UI kit with a simplified user experience. Moreover, their APIs and SDKs are highly scalable with SaaS and fully customizable with self hosted messaging solutions.
Security features
Secured with end-to-end encryption and AES 128 security standards. Their privacy policies are compatible with almost every region’s privacy regulation laws, like HIPAA, GDPR, and OWASP.
What makes it stand out from others?
MirrorFly stands out from the crowd with ultra-low latencies, integration of chat, voice, and video APIs and SDKs in 20 minutes, 99.999% uptime SLA, and hiring a dedicated development team. MirrorFly offers both APIs and SDKs for self-hosted communication.
3. Wire
Wire is an instant messaging application that prioritizes security, providing strong end-to-end encryption. Besides being an on-premise chat solution, its deployment options include both cloud and private. It also meets ISO, CCPA, GDPR, and SOX compliance standards.
Security features
Wire offers forward and backward secrecy. Its simple privacy policy does not require a phone number for registration. It is independently audited to ensure its security.
What makes it stand out from others?
Wire stands out with its compliance with various standards, different deployment options, and availability as a 100% open-source instant messenger.
4. Troop Messenger
Troop GRIT is a self-hosted chat server designed to provide a secure chat platform for data-sensitive and regulated industries such as Governments, Defense, Large Enterprises, Manufacturing, Pharma, etc.
Security features
Troop GRIT has TM-Monitor with Lawful Interception, which helps monitor chat conversations and user authorization features such as UNITs. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive file management system called File Deck.
What makes it stand out from others?
It is an on-premise chat server with advanced security features, like LDAP/SSO, and role-based access controls. It is designed for data-sensitive and regulated industries.
5. Mattermost
Mattermost is an open-source chat software that offers a high-trust messaging platform for enterprises of all sizes. It is a self-hosted chat platform that can be deployed on a private cloud within the organization's premises, making it a flexible partner for all internal instant communications.
Security features
Mattermost is an enterprise-level chat solution that prioritizes scalability and security. Its features include end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
What makes it stand out from others?
Mattermost stands out from other chat software because it is open-source, flexible, and provides users with complete control over their messaging platform. It also offers migration support and allows users to build custom workflows and enable DevOps workflows.
6. Zulip
Zulip is a popular on-premise chat application that follows the topic-based threading model, making it more organized. Its integration with GitHub allows for easy linking back to pull request IDs. It also offers paid on-premises support, LDAP integration, and more storage.
Security features
Zulip is open-source, meaning you can check the codebase for potential security vulnerabilities.
What makes it stand out from others?
Zulip's unique topic-based threading model helps track conversations better. It also supports LaTeX for sharing math formulas, Markdown and syntax highlighting for sharing code, and API for building your own integrations. Zulip also integrates with GitHub.
7. Let’s Chat
Let's Chat is a self-hosted and open-source chat solution. It offers enterprise features such as LDAP and Kerberos authentication and a search function for message history and user mentions.
Security features
Let's Chat supports SSL/TLS encryption for secure communication. It also offers options for two-factor authentication, rate limiting, and session management. Private and password-protected rooms provide additional security for sensitive discussions.
What makes it stand out from others?
Let's Chat differentiates itself from other open-source chat tools with its enterprise features and ability to deploy to local servers or hosted services with ease.
It also has features such as message history search, mentions, image embeds, GIPHY support, and code pasting.
8. Element
Element.io is an open-source on-premise chat server built on Matrix that offers personal messaging and enterprise collaboration for independent and secure communication.
It provides end-to-end encryption for messages, unlimited audio, and video and offers private, internal, and public rooms. Users can choose between hosted and on-premise deployment models.
Security features
Element.io ensures secure communication for its users by offering end-to-end encryption for messages. It also offers different types of rooms with varying levels of privacy, including private rooms that only invited users can access.
What makes it stand out from others?
Element.io offers both personal messaging and enterprise collaboration, making it a versatile tool for different types of users.
Moreover, it allows users to bring their WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram chats into its personal messaging variant, Element One.
Additionally, it offers a fully managed host with integrations and bridging facilities and is cost-effective for businesses.
9. Jitsi
Jitsi is an open-source video conferencing tool that supports advanced video-routing concepts such as simulcast and bandwidth estimation and standard features such as audio, recording, screen-sharing, and dial-in features.
Security features
Jitsi is secure and scalable; its source code is available on GitHub. It supports password protection for video-chat rooms and live-streaming over YouTube.
What makes it stand out from others?
Jitsi is free, frictionless, and easy to use as an on-premise chat solution; anyone can start a meeting quickly without registration or installation. It also supports calendar integrations for registered users.
10. Tox
TOX is an open-source and secure messaging application. It is distributed, people-made software that offers encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, screen sharing, file sharing, and group chat features.
Security features
TOX is highly encrypted to ensure the safety and privacy of its users. The messaging tool provides end-to-end encryption for messages and encrypted voice calls.
However, TOX has a limitation in that your IP address is visible to others.
What makes it stand out from others?
TOX stands out from other messaging applications because it is an open-source tool developed by people without any advertising.
Benefits of the on-premise chat server
Now, let’s take a closer look at these benefits.
1. Data sovereignty
By deploying on-premise chat servers, businesses can maintain control over their data and comply with data sovereignty regulations. This approach minimizes the risk of data breaches and gives organizations greater autonomy over their communication data.
2. Data security
On-premise chat servers provide businesses with greater control over their data security. They can implement customized security measures and protocols to safeguard their data against cyber threats.
3. Data privacy
With on-premise chat servers, businesses can maintain the privacy of their communication data by keeping it within their own network. This helps keep sensitive information confidential by preventing it from being shared with third-party vendors.
4. Low latency
On-premise chat servers allow businesses to send and receive real-time messages with faster response times. It is especially crucial in fast-paced business environments where efficient communication can significantly impact operations.
Host Rocket.Chat on-premise and own your conversations
Rocket.Chat is a versatile, on-premise, and secure open-source communication platform that offers a range of benefits to businesses. By hosting Rocket.Chat as an on-premise chat solution, businesses can take control of their conversations and ensure data privacy and security.
With Rocket.Chat, businesses can enjoy several benefits, such as:
- Flexibility to customize communication solutions
- Robust security features, including two-factor authentication
- Easy integration with other business applications
- Low-latency communication for faster response times
- Complete control over communication data for enhanced data privacy and security
Take charge of your conversations with Rocket.Chat. Click here to learn more and start your Rocket.Chat journey today.
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- Open source code
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- Supports compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, FINRA, and more
- Supports compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, FINRA, and more
- Highly secure and flexible
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