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Self-hosted Zulip billing

This page describes how to manage your self-hosted plan, and answers some common questions about plans and billing for self-hosted organizations. Please refer to Self-hosted Zulip plans and pricing for plan details. If you have any questions not answered here, please don't hesitate to reach out at sales@zulip.com.

Business plan details and upgrades

The Business plan is appropriate for most business organizations. It includes unlimited access to the Mobile Push Notification Service and commercial support for dozens of features and integrations that help businesses take full advantage of their Zulip implementation.

For businesses with up to 10 Zulip users, the Self-managed plan is a good option, and includes free access to the Mobile Push Notification service. For commercial support with your installation, sign up for the Business plan, with a minimum purchase of 10 licenses.

If you organization requires hands-on support, such as real-time support during installation and upgrades, support for advanced deployment options, custom feature development or integrations, etc., should contact sales@zulip.com to discuss pricing.

Business plan discounts are available in a variety of situations; see below for details.

Upgrades for legacy customers

Any Zulip server that registered for Zulip's Mobile Push Notification Service prior to December 12, 2023 is considered to be a legacy customer. Legacy customers can continue using the notification service for free (no action required) until February 15, 2024.

To continue using the service after that date, organizations with more than 10 users must upgrade to the Business, Community or Enterprise plan. When you upgrade to the Business plan, you can start the plan right away (if you‘d like your technical support to start immediately), or schedule a February 15 start date.

Do I have to upgrade my server first?

While upgrading your Zulip server to version 8.0+ makes it more convenient to manage your plan, you do not have to upgrade your Zulip installation in order to sign up for a plan. The same plans are offered for all Zulip versions.

In addition to hundreds of other improvements, upgrading to Zulip Server 8.0+ lets you:

  • Easily log in to Zulip plan management, without an additional server authentication step.

  • Separately manage plans for all the organizations on your server.

  • Upload only the basic metadata required for the service, without also uploading usage statistics.

If you upgrade your server after signing up for a plan, you will be able to transfer your plan to an organization on your server. If your server has one organization on it, this will happen automatically. Otherwise, contact support@zulip.com for help.

Upgrading to Zulip Business

If your server has more than one organization, upgrade to Zulip Server 8.0+ manage billing and upgrades separately for each organization. Older servers only support server-wide plan management.

  • Zulip Server 8.0+
  • All older versions

This feature is only available to organization owners and billing administrators.

  1. Click on the gear () icon in the upper right corner of the web or desktop app.

  2. Select Plan management.

  3. (first-time log in) Enter the e-mail address you want to use for plan management, and click Continue.

  4. (first-time log in) In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Confirm email for Zulip plan management), and click Confirm and log in.

  5. (first-time log in) Enter your name, configure your email preferences, and accept the Terms of Service.

  6. Verify your information, and click Continue.

  7. You will be logged in to Zulip's Plans and pricing page. Under the Business pricing plan on the Self-hosted tab, click Upgrade to Business.

  8. Select your preferred option from the Payment schedule dropdown.

  9. Under Plan start date, select February 15, 2024 or Today.

  10. Click Add card to enter your payment details.

  11. Click Purchase Zulip Business to upgrade immediately, or Schedule upgrade to Zulip Business to schedule an upgrade for February 15.

If your server hosts more than one organization, commercial support for server-wide configurations requires upgrading the organization with the largest number of users.

A server administrator is anyone who sets up and manages your Zulip installation. A billing administrator is anyone responsible for managing your Zulip plan.

Server administrator steps:

  1. Go to https://selfhosting.zulip.com/serverlogin.

  2. Fill out the requested server information, and click Continue.

  3. Enter the e-mail address of the billing contact for your organization, and click Confirm email.

Billing administrator steps:

  1. In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Log in to Zulip plan management), and click Log in.

  2. Verify your information, and click Continue. If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to enter your name and accept the Terms of Service.

  3. Select your preferred option from the Payment schedule dropdown.

  4. Under Plan start date, select February 15, 2024 or Today.

  5. Click Add card to enter your payment details.

  6. Click Purchase Zulip Business to upgrade immediately, or Schedule upgrade to Zulip Business to schedule an upgrade for February 15.

Upgrades for new customers

New customers are eligible for a free 30-day trial of Zulip Business. An organization is considered to be a new customer if:

  • It was not registered for Zulip's Mobile Push Notification Service prior to December 12, 2023, and
  • It has never previously signed up for a self-hosted Zulip plan (Business, Community or Enterprise).

If your server has more than one organization, upgrade to Zulip Server 8.0+ manage billing and upgrades separately for each organization. Older servers only support server-wide plan management.

  • Zulip Server 8.0+
  • All older versions

  1. Your Zulip server administrator should register the server with Zulip's Mobile Push Notification Service, following these instructions.

  2. Click on the gear () icon in the upper right corner of the web or desktop app.

  3. Select Plan management.

  4. (first-time log in) Enter the e-mail address you want to use for plan management, and click Continue.

  5. (first-time log in) In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Confirm email for Zulip plan management), and click Confirm and log in.

  6. (first-time log in) Enter your name, configure your email preferences, and accept the Terms of Service.

  7. Verify your information, and click Continue.

  8. Under the Business pricing plan on the Self-hosted tab, click Start 30-day trial.

  9. Click Add card to enter your payment details.

  10. Click Start 30-day trial to start your free trial.

Once you start the trial, you can switch between monthly and annual billing on your organization's billing page.

If your server hosts more than one organization, commercial support for server-wide configurations requires upgrading the organization with the largest number of users.

A server administrator is anyone who sets up and manages your Zulip installation. A billing administrator is anyone responsible for managing your Zulip plan.

Server administrator steps:

  1. Register the server with Zulip's Mobile Push Notification Service, following these instructions.

  2. Go to https://selfhosting.zulip.com/serverlogin.

  3. Fill out the requested server information, and click Continue.

  4. Enter the e-mail address of the billing contact for your organization, and click Confirm email.

Billing administrator steps:

  1. In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Log in to Zulip plan management), and click Log in.

  2. Verify your information, and click Continue. If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to enter your name and accept the Terms of Service.

  3. Under the Business pricing plan on the Self-hosted tab, click Start 30-day trial.

  4. Click Add card to enter your payment details.

  5. Click Start 30-day trial to start your free trial.

Once you start the trial, you can switch between monthly and annual billing on your organization's billing page.

Manage billing

If your server has more than one organization, upgrade to Zulip Server 8.0+ manage billing and upgrades separately for each organization. Older servers only support server-wide plan management.

  • Zulip Server 8.0+
  • All older versions

  1. Click on the gear () icon in the upper right corner of the web or desktop app.

  2. Select Plan management.

  3. (first-time log in) Enter the e-mail address you want to use for plan management, and click Continue.

  4. (first-time log in) In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Confirm email for Zulip plan management), and click Confirm and log in.

  5. (first-time log in) Enter your name, configure your email preferences, and accept the Terms of Service.

  6. Verify your information, and click Continue.

A server administrator is anyone who sets up and manages your Zulip installation. A billing administrator is anyone responsible for managing your Zulip plan.

Server administrator steps:

  1. Go to https://selfhosting.zulip.com/serverlogin.

  2. Fill out the requested server information, and click Continue.

  3. Enter the e-mail address of the billing contact for your organization, and click Confirm email.

Billing administrator steps:

  1. In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Log in to Zulip plan management), and click Log in.

  2. Verify your information, and click Continue. If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to enter your name and accept the Terms of Service.

Cancel paid plan

If your server has more than one organization, upgrade to Zulip Server 8.0+ manage billing and upgrades separately for each organization. Older servers only support server-wide plan management.

If you cancel your plan, your organization will be downgraded to the Self-managed plan at the end of the current billing period.

  • Zulip Server 8.0+
  • All older versions

  1. Click on the gear () icon in the upper right corner of the web or desktop app.

  2. Select Plan management.

  3. (first-time log in) Enter the e-mail address you want to use for plan management, and click Continue.

  4. (first-time log in) In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Confirm email for Zulip plan management), and click Confirm and log in.

  5. (first-time log in) Enter your name, configure your email preferences, and accept the Terms of Service.

  6. Verify your information, and click Continue.

  7. At the bottom of the page, click Cancel plan.

  8. Click Downgrade to confirm.

A server administrator is anyone who sets up and manages your Zulip installation. A billing administrator is anyone responsible for managing your Zulip plan.

Server administrator steps:

  1. Go to https://selfhosting.zulip.com/serverlogin.

  2. Fill out the requested server information, and click Continue.

  3. Enter the e-mail address of the billing contact for your organization, and click Confirm email.

Billing administrator steps:

  1. In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Log in to Zulip plan management), and click Log in.

  2. Verify your information, and click Continue. If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to enter your name and accept the Terms of Service.

  3. At the bottom of the page, click Cancel plan.

  4. Click Downgrade to confirm.

Free Community plan

Zulip sponsors free plans for over 1000 worthy organizations. The following types of organizations are generally eligible for the free Community plan.

  • Open-source projects, including projects with a small paid team.
  • Research organizations, such as research groups, cross-institutional collaborations, etc.
  • Communities, such as clubs or special interest groups.
  • Education and non-profit organizations with up to 100 users.

Organizations that have up to 10 users, or do not require mobile push notifications, will likely find the Self-managed plan to be the most convenient option. Larger organizations are encouraged to apply for the free Community plan, which includes unlimited push notifications and support for many Zulip features

If you aren't sure whether your organization qualifies, submitting a sponsorship form describing your situation is a great starting point. Many organizations that don't qualify for the Community plan can still receive discounted Business plan pricing.

Apply for Community plan

These instructions describe the Community plan application process for an existing Zulip server. If you would like to inquire about Community plan eligibility prior to setting up a server, contact sales@zulip.com.

Organizations that do not qualify for a Community plan may be offered a discount on the Business plan.

  • Zulip Server 8.0+
  • All older versions

  1. Your Zulip server administrator should register the server with Zulip's Mobile Push Notification Service, following these instructions.

  2. Click on the gear () icon in the upper right corner of the web or desktop app.

  3. Select Plan management.

  4. (first-time log in) Enter the e-mail address you want to use for plan management, and click Continue.

  5. (first-time log in) In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Confirm email for Zulip plan management), and click Confirm and log in.

  6. (first-time log in) Enter your name, configure your email preferences, and accept the Terms of Service.

  7. Verify your information, and click Continue.

  8. Under the Community pricing plan on the Self-hosted tab, click Apply to upgrade.

  9. Fill out the requested information, and click Submit. Your application will be reviewed for Community plan eligibility.

A server administrator is anyone who sets up and manages your Zulip installation. A billing administrator is anyone responsible for managing your Zulip plan.

Server administrator steps:

  1. Register the server with Zulip's Mobile Push Notification Service, following these instructions.

  2. Go to https://selfhosting.zulip.com/serverlogin.

  3. Fill out the requested server information, and click Continue.

  4. Enter the e-mail address of the billing contact for your organization, and click Confirm email.

Billing administrator steps:

  1. In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Log in to Zulip plan management), and click Log in.

  2. Verify your information, and click Continue. If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to enter your name and accept the Terms of Service.

  3. Under the Community pricing plan on the Self-hosted tab, click Apply to upgrade.

  4. Fill out the requested information, and click Submit. Your application will be reviewed for Community plan eligibility.

Organizations that do not qualify for a Community plan may be offered a discount on the Business plan.

Business plan discounts

The following types of organizations are generally eligible for significant discounts on the Zulip Business plan. You can also contact sales@zulip.com to discuss bulk discount pricing for a large organization.

  • Education pricing is available with a minimum purchase of 100 licenses. Organizations with up to 100 users are eligible for free Community plan sponsorship.

    • For-profit education pricing: $1 per user per month with annual billing ($1.20/month billed monthly).

    • Non-profit education pricing: $0.67 per user per month with annual billing ($0.80/month billed monthly). The non-profit discount applies to online purchases only (no additional legal agreements) for use at registered non-profit institutions (e.g. colleges and universities).

  • Non-profit discounts of 85+% are available with a minimum purchase of 100 licenses. Organizations with up to 100 users are eligible for free Community plan sponsorship.

  • Discounts are available for organizations based in the developing world.

  • Any organization where many users are not paid staff is likely eligible for a discount.

Apply for Business plan discount

These instructions describe the Business plan discount application process for an existing Zulip server. If you would like to inquire about Business plan discount eligibility prior to setting up a server, contact sales@zulip.com.

  • Zulip Server 8.0+
  • All older versions

  1. Your Zulip server administrator should register the server with Zulip's Mobile Push Notification Service, following these instructions.

  2. Click on the gear () icon in the upper right corner of the web or desktop app.

  3. Select Plan management.

  4. (first-time log in) Enter the e-mail address you want to use for plan management, and click Continue.

  5. (first-time log in) In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Confirm email for Zulip plan management), and click Confirm and log in.

  6. (first-time log in) Enter your name, configure your email preferences, and accept the Terms of Service.

  7. Verify your information, and click Continue.

  8. Under Sponsorship and discounts on the Self-hosted tab, click Request sponsorship.

  9. Under Plan, select Business.

  10. Fill out the requested information, and click Submit. Your application will be reviewed for discount eligibility.

A server administrator is anyone who sets up and manages your Zulip installation. A billing administrator is anyone responsible for managing your Zulip plan.

Server administrator steps:

  1. Register the server with Zulip's Mobile Push Notification Service, following these instructions.

  2. Go to https://selfhosting.zulip.com/serverlogin.

  3. Fill out the requested server information, and click Continue.

  4. Enter the e-mail address of the billing contact for your organization, and click Confirm email.

Billing administrator steps:

  1. In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Log in to Zulip plan management), and click Log in.

  2. Verify your information, and click Continue. If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to enter your name and accept the Terms of Service.

  3. Under Sponsorship and discounts on the Self-hosted tab, click Request sponsorship.

  4. Under Plan, select Business.

  5. Fill out the requested information, and click Submit. Your application will be reviewed for discount eligibility.

Payment methods

Can I pay by credit card and/or invoice?

You can always use a credit card to pay. If you would like to pay by invoice, you will need to sign up for an annual plan.

What is the difference between automatic and manual billing?

With automatic billing, you automatically purchase a Zulip license for each user in your organization at the start of each billing period (month or year). [Deactivating a user][deactivate-user] frees up their license for reuse. Additional licenses are purchased automatically as needed.

With manual billing, you choose and pay for a preset user limit. If he limit is reached, no more users can join until licenses are manually added.

In general, selecting automatic billing is highly recommended unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise.

Manually manage licenses

  • Zulip Server 8.0+
  • All older versions

  1. Click on the gear () icon in the upper right corner of the web or desktop app.

  2. Select Plan management.

  3. (first-time log in) Enter the e-mail address you want to use for plan management, and click Continue.

  4. (first-time log in) In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Confirm email for Zulip plan management), and click Confirm and log in.

  5. (first-time log in) Enter your name, configure your email preferences, and accept the Terms of Service.

  6. Verify your information, and click Continue.

  7. Modify Number of licenses for current billing period or Number of licenses for next billing period, and click Update.

You can only increase the number of licenses for the current billing period.

A server administrator is anyone who sets up and manages your Zulip installation. A billing administrator is anyone responsible for managing your Zulip plan.

Server administrator steps:

  1. Go to https://selfhosting.zulip.com/serverlogin.

  2. Fill out the requested server information, and click Continue.

  3. Enter the e-mail address of the billing contact for your organization, and click Confirm email.

Billing administrator steps:

  1. In your e-mail account, open the e-mail you received (Subject: Log in to Zulip plan management), and click Log in.

  2. Verify your information, and click Continue. If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to enter your name and accept the Terms of Service.

  3. Modify Number of licenses for current billing period or Number of licenses for next billing period, and click Update.

You can only increase the number of licenses for the current billing period.

Self-managed installations

Zulip is 100% open-source. Organizations that do not require support with their installation can always use Zulip for free with no limitations. Additionally, the Mobile Push Notification Service is provided free of charge for organizations with up to 10 users.

You can self-manage your Zulip installation without signing up for a plan. Get started with the installation guide.

Don't see an answer to your question? Contact this Zulip server's administrators for support.