7 Nextcloud Talk alternatives for seamless communication

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If you have been utilizing Nextcloud Talk for team discussions, you could be all too familiar with its constraints.  Although it provides an open-source platform for communication, recent user comments provide a worrying image of its communication module. 

• G2 reviews show that users often mention audio quality problems and dependability concerns with video calls disconnecting suddenly. This is a huge productivity bottleneck. 
•  Capterra reviews highlight frustrating UI limitations and a lack of advanced features that modern teams need. 
• Reddit's r/NextCloud community regularly discusses workarounds for persistent performance issues that haven't been addressed.

So, there is never a better moment to find out Nextcloud Talk alternatives. Fortunately, an increasing number of collaboration tools now provide improved security, more flexibility, and greater capabilities.

We've rounded up seven top-notch Nextcloud Talk alternatives that could be exactly what your business needs.

7 top Nextcloud Talk alternatives for seamless communication

So, what are the best Nextcloud Talk alternatives you should go for? Here is a detailed analysis:

1. Rocket.Chat: The open-source secure collaboration powerhouse

Among open-source collaboration solutions, Rocket.Chat presents a versatile and secure platform experts believe to be among the top Nextcloud Talk alternatives.

Key features

• Open-source flexibility: Fully customizable to fit unique business requirements. You can also white label it based on your needs. 
• Seamless integrations: Easy connections with technologies including Jira, GitHub, Zapier, and more.
• Advanced security: Offers end-to-end encryption and compliance with HIPAA and GDPR.
• Omnichannel support: Manage consumer communications across email, chat, SMS, and social media.
• Active community: Frequent updates motivated by a worldwide developer base foster creativity. 

While Rocket.Chat is highly customizable, setting up advanced features might require technical expertise. 

Still, the platform distinguishes itself for its open-source character, which guarantees you are not squandering resources. It provides both cloud and on-site deployment options if your industry is one that deals with highly regulated and privacy-conscious areas.

Furthermore, Rocket.Chat lately unveiled its new AI feature to enable more effective operation of enterprises, including sectors like government and defense. While keeping everything safe on your servers, it uses a self-hosted AI model running on Llama 3 drawing on your own data to offer accurate, relevant replies.

To save time, it can also compile unread messages, extended threads, and live chats; plus, it can use your data to address questions. To further communication, it even includes tools for composing messages or examining chat sentiment.

2. Mattermost: Self-hosted and secure

Particularly for teams needing data control and self-hosting capabilities, Mattermost offers a solid open-source platform.

Key features

• Self-hosting: Full data ownership and control over deployment.
• Enterprise-grade security: Supports end-to-end encryption and advanced access controls.
• DevOps integrations: Works well with CI/CD tools like Jenkins and GitLab.
• Workflow automation: Create custom workflows to streamline communication.
• Team collaboration: Real-time messaging, file sharing, and video conferencing.

However, Mattermost's interface isn't as polished as some competitors, and mobile app performance can sometimes lag behind, especially compared to more mature platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams.

3. Slack: The industry standard

Slack is a well-known cloud-based employee communication tool, loved for its user-friendly interface and rich integration ecosystem.

Key features

• Intuitive interface: Easy to navigate with minimal onboarding.
• App integrations: Supports over 2,000 integrations, including Google Workspace, Trello, and Zoom.
• Robust search functionality: Quickly find messages, files, and conversations.
• Workflow automation: Build custom workflows with Slack's no-code tools.
• Security: Offers enterprise-grade compliance and data protection.

Slack's biggest drawback is its cost. While the free version offers basic features, advanced capabilities (like unlimited message history and full integration access) require pricey subscription plans. 

Plus, there have been some notable Slack breaches involving organizations like Uber, Disney, EA and so on. 

4. Microsoft Teams: The Office 365 companion

For organizations embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem, Teams provides an all-in-one secure communication and collaboration platform that can be among your top picks for Nextcloud Talk alternatives.

Key features

• Office 365 integration: Seamlessly works with Word, Excel, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
• Video conferencing: Host meetings with up to 1,000 participants.
• Collaboration tools: Shared workspaces for documents and projects.
• Security and compliance: Built-in support for enterprise security needs.
• Extensive integrations: Connect with third-party apps and services.

Although Microsoft Teams can feel overwhelming due to its abundance of features. Users often report a steep learning curve, especially for those not familiar with Microsoft products. Also, note that Microsoft has announced plans to shut down Skype in May 2025, transitioning users to Microsoft Teams.