Slack vs Raven
Raven is a credible alternative for organizations that want self-hosted channel messaging and deep Frappe/ERP integration. It covers channels, direct messages, threads, file sharing, search, mobile access, authentication, and AI agents, but the supplied evidence does not establish equivalents for Slack Connect, native huddles or clips, canvases and lists, AI recaps, or Slack’s broader integration ecosystem. Choose F
Decision guide
The practical reasons to choose either option, based on documented capabilities.
Choose Raven if
- Organizations requiring self-hosted, AGPL-licensed team messaging
- ERPNext, FrappeHR, or other Frappe users that want document actions and notifications inside chat
- Teams needing channels, direct messages, threads, file sharing, search, and mobile apps without Slack’s broader workspace suite
Stay with Slack if
- External collaboration depends on Slack Connect-style shared channels or cross-organization direct messages
- Workflows require native audio/video huddles, recorded clips, canvases, or lists
- Teams depend on Slack-specific apps, Workflow Builder automations, or AI channel summaries and recaps
Deployment and operations
Raven is licensed under AGPLv3. The repository documents both managed hosting on Frappe Cloud and production self-hosting through an installation script using a published container image. Frappe Cloud handles installation, upgrades, monitoring, maintenance, and support. Docker Compose instructions are also provided, but they are labeled as development setup. No Kubernetes deployment is documented in the supplied material. The stack includes Frappe Framework with Python, MariaDB or Postgres, Web
Feature fit
What Raven covers
- Topic- or project-based channels
- One-to-one and group messaging
- Threaded replies and reactions
- Rich-text messages and file sharing
- Search across channels, people, messages, and files
- Apps, bots, and workflow actions
- Mobile application access
- AI-assisted task automation
What’s different or missing
- No documented Slack Connect equivalent
- No documented native huddles or recorded clips
- No documented canvases or project lists
- No documented AI summaries or missed-message recaps
- No documented Slack app compatibility
- No documented Slack data importer
Project snapshot
- GitHub stars
- 750
- Contributors
- 32
- Language
- TypeScript
- Last commit
- Jun 18, 2026
- Latest release
- Apr 17, 2026
Categories: Team Communication, Workflow Automation, Knowledge Management, Video Conferencing
Sources and editorial review12 linked sources
Public documentation supports this comparison. Automation assists collection and classification; editorial standards and corrections remain the responsibility of Kris.
Simple, open source team messaging platform
repository description · github.comRaven is an open-source messaging platform that brings your team's conversations and information into one centralized place.
readme · github.comOrganize conversations in channels... Send direct messages to other users or create channels for group discussions.
readme · github.comRaven works effortlessly with other Frappe apps, allowing you to share documents from ERPNext with customizable previews, trigger notifications based on document events, perform workflow actions and print documents directly within chats.
readme · github.comFollow these steps to set up Raven in production.
readme · github.comDocker compose... docker compose up -d
readme · github.comRaven's web app is a React based single page app.
readme · github.comIt's built using [Frappe Framework](https://frappeframework.com) and offers deep integrations with other Frappe apps like [ERPNext](https://frappe.io/erpnext) and [FrappeHR](https://frappe.io/hr).
verdict · github.comOrganize your conversations by topics, projects, or any category that suits your workflow. Send direct messages to other users or create channels for group discussions to keep everyone informed and engaged.
shared feature · github.comPress ⌘K (Ctrl + K on Windows) to search channels, people, messages and files
shared feature · ravenchat.aiIt takes care of installation, setup, upgrades, monitoring, maintenance and support of your Frappe deployments.
deployment · github.com### Self Hosting Follow these steps to set up Raven in production:
deployment · github.com
