Self-Hosted Chat
Self-hosted chat refers to chat applications or platforms that are installed and run on a user's own servers or infrastructure, rather than relying on third-party cloud services. This approach gives organizations full control over their data, security, and customization, enabling private communication channels for teams, communities, or customers. It typically involves deploying open-source chat software like Mattermost, Rocket.Chat, or Matrix on-premises or in a private cloud.
Developers should learn and use self-hosted chat when data privacy, regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA), or customization needs are critical, such as in healthcare, finance, or government sectors. It's ideal for organizations that require full ownership of their communication data, want to avoid vendor lock-in, or need to integrate chat deeply with internal systems. Self-hosting also allows for better performance control and reduced long-term costs compared to subscription-based SaaS alternatives.