Zulip
Focus: open source and self-hosted. Shares team chat and threads with Twist. Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Rated 4.5 (Twist: 4.4).
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.5Visit
Web App
Twist
A calm, thread-based team chat app with a free plan.
Rating
4.4 / 5
Pricing
Freemium
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Web
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Twist?
Twist is a team communication app that organises conversations into threads, so discussions stay on topic and people can catch up when it suits them. The free plan supports up to 500 members and 500 guests, keeps the last month of comments and messages viewable and searchable (older ones are stored but hidden), allows up to 5 integrations and includes up to 5 GB of file storage. The Unlimited plan adds full history, unlimited integrations and storage and priority support.
Pros: what Twist does well
- Threads keep discussions organised
- Up to 500 members on the free plan
- Built for calm, asynchronous work
Cons: where it falls short
- Only the last month of history is visible on the free plan
- Limited to 5 integrations on the free plan
Who Twist is for
Remote teams that want fewer interruptions than real-time chat.
Who can skip it
Teams that rely on instant back-and-forth messaging.
Twist alternatives
Not sold on Twist? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Mattermost
Focus: self-hosted, open source and devops. Shares team chat and slack alternative with Twist. Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Same 4.4 rating.
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.4Visit
Pumble
Focus: messaging, channels and free plan. Shares team chat and slack alternative with Twist. Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Same 4.4 rating.
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.4Visit
Zoho Cliq
Focus: channels and video meetings. Shares team chat and slack alternative with Twist. Rated 4.3 (Twist: 4.4).
Web AppFree planWeb
4.3Visit
Rocket.Chat
Focus: self-hosted, open source and omnichannel. Shares team chat and slack alternative with Twist. Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Rated 4.2 (Twist: 4.4).
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.2Visit
Slack
Focus: chat, channels and teams. Also in Communication and Team Productivity, like Twist. Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Rated 4.2 (Twist: 4.4).
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.2Visit
Free alternatives to Twist
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
Jitsi Meet
Focus: video calls, open source and self-hosted. Also in Communication and Remote Work, like Twist. Free (Twist: Freemium). Adds Android and iOS. Rated 4.3 (Twist: 4.4).
Web AppFreeWeb, Android
4.3Visit
Founder.page
Focus: founders, indie makers and twitter directory. Also in Team Productivity and Remote Work, like Twist. A website, not a web app. Free (Twist: Freemium). Rated 4.7 (Twist: 4.4).
WebsiteFreeWeb
4.7Visit
Screenity
Focus: screen recorder, loom alternative and annotation. Also in Communication and Remote Work, like Twist. A browser extension, not a web app. Free (Twist: Freemium). Adds Chrome. Rated 4.7 (Twist: 4.4).
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome
4.7Visit
NetBird
Focus: vpn, private network and wireguard. Also in Remote Work and Team Productivity, like Twist. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (Twist: Freemium). Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Rated 4.6 (Twist: 4.4).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
Huly
Focus: project management, issue tracker and open source. Shares team chat with Twist. Free (Twist: Freemium). Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Same 4.4 rating.
Web AppFreeWeb, Windows
4.4Visit
Mumble
Focus: voice chat, audio and self-hosted. Also in Communication and Remote Work, like Twist. A desktop app, not a web app. Free (Twist: Freemium). Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Same 4.4 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.4Visit
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