Lark vs Mattermost: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between Lark and Mattermost is a common decision for team communication buyers in 2026. Both Lark and Mattermost are established players, founded in 2016 and 2015 respectively. Lark serves 30M+ users while Mattermost has 800K+ users globally. Lark differentiates with chat and channels and collaborative docs, while Mattermost leads with self-hosted deployment and channels. In this head-to-head comparison, Lark earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 88/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

🐦
Lark
Team Communication
88
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
🔩
Mattermost
Team Communication
86
hiltonsoftware.co Score

Quick Comparison

Lark
Mattermost
Starting Price
$12/user/mo
$10/user/mo (cloud)
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
Users
30M+
800K+
Founded
2016
2015
Rating
4.4/5
4.3/5
Best For
International teams wanting an all-in-one collabor...
Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-host...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

LarkMattermost
91Ease of Use86
90Features92
95Value for Money85
85Customer Support78
88Integrations86
84Scalability80
86Learning Curve88

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Lark
+Generous free tier
+Integrated docs and meetings
-Less popular in Western markets
-Some features Asia-focused
Mattermost
+Full data control
+Strong security features
-Requires IT to self-host
-UI is less polished than Slack
AI Verdict

After comparing Lark and Mattermost across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Lark takes the lead with a score of 88/100 versus Mattermost's 86/100. Lark's key advantages include "generous free tier" and "integrated docs and meetings". That said, Mattermost has its own strengths — particularly "full data control" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Both Lark and Mattermost offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. Lark's paid plans start at $12/user/mo while Mattermost begins at $10/user/mo (cloud). Evaluate which paid features — Video meetings, Calendar (Lark) vs DevOps integrations, Compliance tools (Mattermost) — justify upgrading for your team.

Bottom line: Choose Lark if you need international teams wanting an all-in-one collaboration suite. Go with Mattermost if your priority is enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Both are strong team communication tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.

CHOOSE LARK IF:

International teams wanting an all-in-one collaboration suite.

CHOOSE MATTERMOST IF:

Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lark better than Mattermost in 2026?
Lark scores 88/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Mattermost's 86/100. Lark stands out for "generous free tier" and is best for International teams wanting an all-in-one collaboration suite. Mattermost is known for "full data control" and suits Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between Lark and Mattermost?
Both offer free plans. Lark starts at $12/user/mo and Mattermost at $10/user/mo (cloud). When comparing value, consider that Lark (founded 2016, 30M+ users) includes features like Chat and channels, Collaborative docs, Video meetings. Mattermost (founded 2015, 800K+ users) offers Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between Lark and Mattermost?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Lark excels at Chat and channels, Collaborative docs, Video meetings, while Mattermost focuses on Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations. Lark's main advantage is "generous free tier", though some users note "less popular in western markets". Mattermost's strength is "full data control", but "requires it to self-host" can be a drawback. Both serve the Team Communication market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from Lark to Mattermost?
Switching between Lark and Mattermost is possible since both operate in the Team Communication space. Before migrating, export your data from Lark and check Mattermost's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Chat and channels, Collaborative docs, Video meetings (Lark) vs Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations (Mattermost). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: Lark or Mattermost?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. Lark is ideal for International teams wanting an all-in-one collaboration suite, while Mattermost fits Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.

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