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What chat really costs a small team
A simple way to count, with labelled estimates.
Count it yourself
Hosted tools often price per person, so the bill grows with headcount. Self-hosting swaps that for a fixed server cost. Dock's licence is free, and a small server is about $20/mo (estimate).
To compare, list your headcount, check the vendor's current pricing and plans, and add the time someone spends on upkeep. Use the savings calculator for a quick view.
Costs to include
Licence or seats
Check each vendor. Dock licence: free.
Server
About $20/mo for Dock (estimate).
Your time
Updates and backups take some hours a year. This varies.
Features you lose
If you need docs or mobile, factor in another tool.
Questions
Is self-hosting always cheaper?
Not always. For very small teams on a free hosted plan it may not be. Check their current plans.
Where is the calculator?
See the pricing pages.