Communication
Self-host Mattermost on a VPS
Self-hosted team chat built for security-conscious organisations.
Channels, direct messages, file sharing and integrations that keep your team’s conversations on your own servers instead of a third party’s.
Why self-host Mattermost?
Team chat holds your most sensitive discussions. Self-hosting keeps that history, and any secrets typed into it, entirely under your control.
How to install Mattermost
- 1
Provision a VPS
2 vCPU / 2 GB is a fine start for a small team.
- 2
Install PostgreSQL
Use the database for chat history and metadata.
- 3
Install Mattermost
Drop in the server binary or use the official packages.
- 4
Configure TLS and the site URL
Serve it over HTTPS on your own domain.
- 5
Invite your team
Create the first admin account and send invitations.
Practical tips
- Put chat history in PostgreSQL, never the filesystem, for easy backups.
- Use incoming webhooks to pipe alerts from your other services into channels.
- Enable push notifications via a proxy if mobile push matters.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Slack integrations?
- Mattermost has a very similar model and supports webhooks and many Slack-style integrations.
- How many users fit on one VPS?
- A 2 GB instance handles a small team; grow RAM and CPU with daily active users.
- Can I keep chat history forever?
- Yes — it lives in your own database, so retention is entirely your choice.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Rocket.Chat, Zulip, Matrix/Synapse — browse all app guides.