Stoat

Find your community

Stoat is an open-source group chat application for friends and communities, providing servers, channels, voice chat, file sharing, markdown support, role-based permissions, and moderation tools. It is designed to work across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and the web, keeping accounts, conversations, and settings in sync across devices. The platform is built without ads or data selling, and users can choose to self-host the software.

Key capabilities include group DMs supporting up to 50 members, theming with built-in and custom themes, custom emojis, a 20MB file upload limit, and server-specific profile pictures without a subscription. A public API allows developers to build bots and custom clients, and an open issue tracker is available for feedback. The software is free and open source, with source code and documentation available for developers.

12 alternatives to Stoat

Ranked by how well each tool replaces Stoat: shared features, audience, price and popularity.

Discord
Voice, video and text communities.
Covers 3 of 15 key features.
Free planVoice callsVideo callsFile sharing
70 out of 100 matchFree
Telegram
Fast. Secure. Powerful.
Covers 6 of 15 key features.
Free planOpen sourceVoice callsVideo callsFile sharingBots
66 out of 100 matchFree
AstraChat
A complete XMPP messaging solution. Enterprise alternative to WhatsApp and Slack for large
Covers 2 of 15 key features.
File sharingVoice calls
65 out of 100 match—
Flock
Your new home for collaboration. One shared space for all your cross-functional work
Covers 4 of 15 key features.
Free planVideo callsVoice callsScreen sharingFile sharing
64 out of 100 matchFree
Tox
A New Kind of Instant Messaging
Covers 5 of 15 key features.
Free planOpen sourceVoice callsVideo callsScreen sharingFile sharing
64 out of 100 matchFree
Slack
Channels, huddles and apps for work communication
Covers 3 of 15 key features.
Free planVoice callsVideo callsFile sharing
63 out of 100 match$8.25/mo
IRCCloud
An IRC client for group chat with teams, friends and communities, available on web and iOS
Covers 0 of 15 key features.
Free plan
62 out of 100 matchContact sales
WhatsApp
Free private messaging and calling app for individuals and businesses.
Covers 4 of 15 key features.
Free planFile sharingScreen sharingVideo callsVoice calls
61 out of 100 matchFree
Microsoft Teams
Chat, meetings and calling in Microsoft 365
Covers 4 of 15 key features.
Free planVoice callsVideo callsFile sharingScreen sharing
61 out of 100 match$4/mo
Fluxer
A chat app that puts you first.
Covers 7 of 15 key features.
Free planOpen sourceVoice callsVideo callsScreen sharingSelf hosting
60 out of 100 matchFree
Signal
Speak freely
Covers 3 of 15 key features.
Free planFile sharingVoice callsVideo calls
60 out of 100 matchFree
Beeper
One inbox for all your chats
Covers 2 of 15 key features.
Free planOpen sourceSelf hostingOpen source
60 out of 100 match$9.99/mo