Self-host Mattermost
- GitHub stars
- 39,557, as of 8 Nov 2026
- Latest release
- v12.0.2, as of 8 Nov 2026
- Host needs
- 1 vCPU/cores, 2 GB RAM
- Install method
- Docker Compose
- One-click template
- Available
- License: AGPL-3.0 (source; Team Edition binaries MIT). The source is offered under the "GNU AGPL v3.0, subject to the exceptions outlined in this policy" or a commercial license. Compiled builds from Mattermost, Inc. are under an "MIT LICENSE". Code in server/enterprise is source available.
- Last commit: 8 Nov 2026 02:13 SGT, as of 8 Nov 2026. The repository is not archived.
Requirements
Mattermost needs Docker: "You'll need Docker Engine and Docker Compose (release 1.28 or later)."
Hardware for team deployments on a single server, paraphrased from the official table:
- 1 to 1,000 users: 1 vCPU/cores, 2 GB RAM
- 1,000 to 2,000 users: 2 vCPUs/cores, 4 GB RAM
The doc adds: "Usage of CPU, RAM, and storage space can vary significantly based on user behavior."
Disk: not stated.
Docker or Docker Compose
The official guide is Deploy Mattermost on Docker.
It is a quick start guide to deploying Mattermost with Docker Compose.
The official Docker settings default to "MATTERMOST_IMAGE=mattermost-enterprise-edition".
The doc names "mattermost/mattermost-enterprise-edition or mattermost/mattermost-team-edition images, which are the official images supported by Mattermost".
To run only open-source code, set MATTERMOST_IMAGE=mattermost-team-edition.
Code under server/enterprise uses "The Mattermost Source Available License".
In production, that code needs "a valid Mattermost Enterprise E20 subscription for the correct number of user seats."
Hosting options
A Railway template for Mattermost is at railway.com/deploy/mattermost, created by shinyduo.
It shows "Total Projects 96".
It runs the image mattermost/mattermost-team-edition:latest.
The 2 GB RAM figure for up to 1,000 users is above the Railway Free limit of "0.5 GB RAM per service".
Affiliate disclosure: Forkshelf earns a commission if you sign up for Railway through the links marked "Paid link" on this page. This does not change the order or content of any guide here.
To get started, create a Railway account (Paid link).
Backups and updates
Backups: the official page is Backup and disaster recovery.
It is badged "Available on Entry, Professional, Enterprise, and Enterprise Advanced plans". It is not a Team Edition backup guide.
A Team Edition backup method is not documented on the pages we read.
Updates: the official guide is Upgrade Mattermost Server.
For the Docker install, see Deploy Mattermost using Containers.
Alternatives
Mattermost is listed on open-source alternatives to Slack and Microsoft Teams.
Compare it in Slack vs Mattermost.