> Source: https://meetrix.io/store/zulip/
> Markdown copy of that page. Cite the URL above, not this file.

[Store](https://meetrix.io/store/)  Zulip

Open-source Slack alternative

# Self-hosted Zulip team chat on AWS and Google Cloud

Run Zulip, the open-source team chat organised by topic, from a pre-configured image in your own AWS account or GCP project. Every conversation keeps its own thread, so your team can catch up without scrolling through one long stream.

 [Launch on AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-prbjvjgv5fhgo)[ Launch on Google Cloud](https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace/product/meetrix-public/zulip)

-   Ready in 5-10 minutes
-   Topic-based threads
-   Your data, your cloud account

![Zulip team chat deployed on AWS and Google Cloud by Meetrix](https://meetrix.io/assets/store/zulip/zulip.webp)

## What is Zulip?

Zulip is an open-source team chat app, licensed under Apache 2.0, built for both live and asynchronous conversations. It suits distributed teams that want chat organised like email threads and full control over their message history.

-   ### Channels and topics

    Every message has a topic, so each discussion stays in its own thread.

-   ### Catch up fast

    Read one conversation at a time instead of one long stream.

-   ### Desktop and mobile apps

    Apps for the desktop and phones, plus the web app.

-   ### Search and history

    Search the full message history on your own server.

-   ### Integrations and API

    Connect your tools and build bots through the Zulip API.

-   ### Move from Slack

    Zulip documents migrations from Slack, Teams and other tools.

## What's in the Meetrix Zulip image

A Zulip server needs a database, a web server, email delivery and SSL. The image arrives with the server set up, so launching takes your domain and your SMTP details.

-   Zulip Server on Ubuntu, launched with your own domain
-   A Let's Encrypt certificate, requested automatically for your domain
-   Zulip's certbot script for issuing SSL manually otherwise
-   Email delivery through the SMTP server you provide
-   Backups to an S3 bucket in your account (AWS)
-   Email support from Meetrix

## How to set up a self-hosted Zulip server

1.  ### Launch the image

    Launch from AWS Marketplace with a CloudFormation stack, or from Google Cloud Marketplace with its deployment form, giving your domain and SMTP settings.

2.  ### Point your domain at it

    After 5-10 minutes, create a DNS A record with the server's public IP.

3.  ### Create your organization

    Generate a one-time organization link on the server, as the developer guide shows, and open it.

4.  ### Invite your team

    Confirm your admin account by email, create channels and invite your team.

## Choose your cloud

### Zulip on AWS

An AMI on AWS Marketplace, launched into your own AWS account with a CloudFormation stack.

Deploys with

CloudFormation

Recommended size

t3a.small

Ready in

5-10 minutes

#### Setup guides

-   [**Developer guide** Launch, organization, SSL, logs](https://meetrix.io/blogs/zulip-developer-guide/)
-   [**Zulip on AWS Marketplace** Who it suits and how it compares](https://meetrix.io/blogs/zulip-aws-marketplace/)

 [Launch on AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-prbjvjgv5fhgo)

### Zulip on Google Cloud

The same team chat server as a Google Cloud Marketplace image, deployed into your own GCP project.

Deploys with

Marketplace deployment form

Recommended size

e2-medium

Free trial

5 days, up to USD 50 licence credit

#### Setup guides

-   [**Developer guide** Deploy, SMTP, organization, SSL](https://meetrix.io/blogs/zulip-gcp-developer-guide/)

 [Launch on Google Cloud](https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace/product/meetrix-public/zulip)

## Zulip vs Slack

|  | Zulip | Slack |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Licence | Apache 2.0, open source | Proprietary |
| Pricing model | Free software, pay only for hosting | Per user, from $7.25 a month paid yearly |
| Free tier history | Everything on your server | 90 days of messages |
| Where it runs | Your own AWS account or GCP project | Slack's cloud |
| Conversations | Channels split into topics | Channels with optional threads |

## Zulip FAQ

What is Zulip?

An open-source team chat app. Conversations are organized into channels and topics, so each discussion stays in its own thread.

Is Zulip free?

The software is open source under Apache 2.0, with all Zulip features included. On AWS or Google Cloud you pay for the instance and the software fee shown on the listing, not per user.

Do mobile notifications work for everyone?

Zulip's free self-hosted plan includes mobile push notifications for up to 10 users, or without limit for eligible communities. Larger teams need one of Zulip's paid self-hosted plans for unlimited notifications.

Which instance size should I choose?

On AWS, t3a.small is a workable baseline for a small team; on Google Cloud, e2-medium. Move up as your users and message history grow.

Why do I need SMTP settings?

Zulip emails account confirmations, invitations and password resets. Without working SMTP, new users cannot finish signing up.

Why does my new server say "No organization found"?

A fresh Zulip server has no organization yet. Generate a one-time creation link on the server, as the developer guide shows, and open it to create yours.

Does it set up SSL?

Yes. On AWS it is automatic when your domain is hosted on Route 53, and on Google Cloud the image requests a certificate for the domain you enter. If that fails, run Zulip's certbot script on the server.

Does Zulip support single sign-on?

Yes. Zulip supports SAML and OpenID Connect sign-in, so it can sit behind the same identity provider as your other tools.

## Need a hand with Zulip?

We deploy and run self-hosted team chat every day, from SMTP and SSL to SSO and backups. Tell us what your team needs.

[Contact us](https://meetrix.io/contact-us/)