Deploy and Host Managed Mattermost Service with one click on Railway

Mattermost is a free, open-source collaboration and messaging platform available on GitHub. It offers secure team communication, project collaboration, and integrations with popular tools. Mattermost is widely known as a Slack alternative, giving teams full control over their data and infrastructure.

About Hosting Mattermost on Railway (Self Hosting Mattermost Docker on Railway)

You can self host Mattermost with Docker to keep all your messages, files, and integrations entirely under your control, with zero third-party involvement. Self hosting ensures better security, data ownership, and compliance with internal or government regulations like IL4 standards.

Why Deploy Managed Mattermost Service on Railway

Deploying a managed Mattermost server on Railway gives you:

• Effortless setup with Docker templates
• Automated scaling to handle any team size
• Simplified maintenance without needing a sysadmin
• Secure hosting with built-in container management

This combination provides the control of self hosting with the convenience of managed cloud hosting.

Railway vs DigitalOcean:

DigitalOcean requires you to configure droplets, databases, and backups manually. This means you’re responsible for OS updates, monitoring, and patching. With Railway, you can self host Mattermost Docker in one click, with automatic scaling, database provisioning, and backups built-in. It removes the operational burden so your team can simply use Mattermost instead of babysitting servers.

Railway vs Linode:

Linode gives you powerful VPS infrastructure but demands manual setup of Docker, PostgreSQL, networking, and persistent volumes. You also need to manage OS patching and downtime yourself. With Railway, Mattermost comes ready-to-deploy in a containerized environment. Linode is better suited for experienced DevOps teams, whereas Railway is ideal for fast-moving startups.

Railway vs AWS Lightsail:

AWS Lightsail offers entry-level cloud hosting, but it still requires complex networking configuration, database setup, and scaling plans. You’ll have to learn AWS IAM, VPC, and storage if you want resilience. Railway removes this complexity with an intuitive dashboard and pre-configured Docker templates for Mattermost.

Common Use Cases

Here are 5 common use cases for Mattermost:

1. Team Collaboration – Replace emails with real-time chat, channels, and direct messaging.
2. Project Management – Integrate with GitLab Mattermost workflows for commits, issues, and deployments.
3. Remote Work Communication – Use Mattermost video calling and screen sharing to collaborate globally.
4. Polling & Surveys – Run team polls directly with the Mattermost poll feature.
5. Secure Messaging – Achieve compliance with standards like Mattermost IL4, ensuring high-security communication for government and enterprise.

Dependencies for Mattermost Hosted on Railway

To host Mattermost, you typically need:

• PostgreSQL database (for storing user and chat data)
• Docker runtime (to run Mattermost server)
• Persistent storage (for files and media uploads)
• Environment variables for database connection and configuration

Deployment Dependencies for Managed Mattermost Service

A managed Mattermost service on Railway will automatically provision:

• PostgreSQL database
• Dockerized Mattermost server
• Secure environment setup
• Automatic scaling and monitoring

Implementation Details for Mattermost (Collaboration Platform)

Key environment variables you will configure include:

• MM_SQLSETTINGS_DATASOURCE: PostgreSQL connection string
• MM_SERVICESETTINGS_SITEURL: Public URL for Mattermost login and usage
• MM_FILESETTINGS_DIRECTORY: Path for persistent file storage

How does Mattermost compare to other collaboration platforms (Alternatives to Slack)

Mattermost vs Slack

Slack is the industry leader in team messaging, but it comes at a cost, both in terms of subscription fees per user and data control. Mattermost is open-source and self-hosted. This means you can store all your data securely within your own infrastructure. Mattermost also allows deep customization through its API, while Slack has limited flexibility outside of its paid tiers. For teams that need compliance and privacy, self host Mattermost Docker is the better long-term choice.

Mattermost vs Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is tightly integrated with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It’s a powerful solution for enterprises already using Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive. Mattermost provides a lightweight, flexible alternative that works across industries without vendor lock-in. Developers also prefer Mattermost because of its open-source foundation and strong integration with DevOps tools like GitLab.

Mattermost vs Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat is another open-source messaging platform similar to Mattermost. Both support self hosting, integrations, and extensibility. Rocket.Chat is strong in customer support and omnichannel communication (e.g., connecting live chat, WhatsApp, and email into one interface). Mattermost, however, is more developer-focused and designed for internal collaboration with DevOps integrations. If you need customer engagement, Rocket.Chat may fit better. But if you want internal team collaboration + DevOps workflows, Mattermost is the clear winner.

Mattermost vs Discord

Discord started as a gaming chat platform but is now widely used by communities. It supports channels, voice chat, and integrations, but lacks enterprise-grade compliance. Mattermost fills this gap by offering Slack-like functionality with enterprise compliance (e.g., IL4, GDPR, HIPAA). Discord is great for casual and community-based use, while Mattermost is designed for secure business communication.

How to Use Mattermost

To use Mattermost:

1. Deploy it on Railway with one click.
2. Create an account through Mattermost login.
3. Set up teams and channels for projects or departments.
4. Invite users with email or SSO.
5. Enable integrations (e.g., GitLab, Jira, CI/CD).
6. Use Mattermost Poll and video calling features for better engagement.

How to Self Host Mattermost on other VPS

If not using Railway, here’s the general process:

Clone the Repository

Download Mattermost from GitHub: Mattermost GitHub.

Install Dependencies

Ensure Docker, PostgreSQL, and persistent storage are installed.

Configure Environment Variables

Set environment variables for database connection and site configuration.

Start the Mattermost Server

Run Mattermost with Docker Compose and expose it through Nginx or Traefik.

Access the Mattermost Dashboard

Go to your server’s public URL, complete setup, and begin using Mattermost.

With Railway, all these steps are automated. Deploy Now!

Features of Mattermost

• Channels, direct messages, and threads
• Mattermost Poll for team voting
• Video calling and screen sharing
• File sharing and storage
• DevOps integration with GitLab, Jira, and CI/CD
• High-security compliance (IL4)

Official Pricing of Mattermost

Mattermost offers open-source Community Edition (free) and Enterprise Editions. Pricing depends on user count and enterprise features. Enterprise plans include advanced compliance, reporting, and priority support.

Self Hosting Mattermost vs Mattermost Paid Cloud

• Self-hosting Mattermost Docker: Free, full control, customizable.
• Mattermost Cloud: Paid, fully managed, automatic updates, premium support.

Monthly Cost of Self Hosting Mattermost on Railway

Self hosting Mattermost on Railway generally costs $5–$15 per month, depending on storage and database usage. Still far cheaper than Slack or enterprise SaaS tools.

FAQs

What is Mattermost?

Mattermost is an open-source team messaging and collaboration platform, often used as a Slack alternative.

How do I self host Mattermost with Docker?

You can deploy Mattermost Docker on Railway with one click or manually set it up on a VPS using Docker and PostgreSQL.

What are Mattermost’s key features?

Mattermost offers channels, direct messaging, polls, video calling, integrations, file sharing, and full self-hosting capabilities.

How do I deploy Mattermost on Railway?

Select the managed template, configure database credentials, and Railway handles the scaling and deployment automatically.

Can I integrate Mattermost with GitLab?

Yes, GitLab Mattermost integration is popular for DevOps notifications, commits, and CI/CD pipelines.

What is Mattermost IL4?

IL4 compliance means Mattermost meets strict U.S. Department of Defense security requirements, making it suitable for high-security environments.

How does Mattermost pricing compare to Slack?

Mattermost self-hosted is free, while Slack charges per user per month. Even Enterprise Mattermost editions are often more cost-effective.

Can I use Mattermost for video calling?

Yes, Mattermost supports video calling and screen sharing with integrated plugins.

Where can I download Mattermost?

You can get Mattermost from the official Mattermost download page or the Mattermost GitHub repository.

With Railway, you can self host Mattermost Docker in one click. Get started today - Deploy Now!