Microsoft Teams vs Zulip
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Chat and meetings inside Microsoft 365.
The verdict
Both Microsoft Teams and Zulip are credible team chat tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Microsoft Teams — Chat and meetings inside Microsoft 365.
Choose Zulip if you'd rather have broader platform coverage and a higher overall rating (4.6/5). Topic-based team chat, open source.
Microsoft Teams vs Zulip: side by side
| Dimension | Microsoft Teams | Zulip |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $4/user/mo | Free – $6.80/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Best for | Enterprise, Microsoft 365 Users | Open Source Projects, Remote Teams |
| Platforms | Web, Mac, Windows, Ios, Android | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Self HostedWinner |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5Winner |
Microsoft Teams key facts
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $4/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Mac, Windows, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Enterprise, Microsoft 365 Users
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- Redmond, WA, USA
Zulip key facts
- Vendor
- Zulip
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $6.80/user/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Self Hosted
- Best for
- Open Source Projects, Remote Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Open source
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Teams better than Zulip?
Neither is universally better — Zulip edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Microsoft Teams or Zulip cheaper?
Microsoft Teams is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $4/user/mo. Microsoft Teams starts at free – $4/user/mo; Zulip starts at free – $6.80/user/mo.
Can Microsoft Teams replace Zulip?
Yes for most teams — both are team chat tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.