---
title: "Choose Your Deployment Model"
slug: "choose-your-deployment-model"
updated: 2026-09-08T19:18:23Z
published: 2026-09-08T19:18:23Z
canonical: "docs.rocket.chat/choose-your-deployment-model"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rocket.chat/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Choose Your Deployment Model

Rocket.Chat runs in three deployment models. Your choice depends on how much control you need over data and infrastructure, and how isolated your environment must be.

## Compare the models

| Consideration | Cloud-hosted | Self-managed | Air-gapped |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Who runs the infrastructure | Rocket.Chat | You | You, fully isolated from the public internet |
| Data location | Rocket.Chat Cloud | Your servers or private cloud | Your isolated network |
| Free entry point | Cloud workspace via the Cloud Portal | Starter workspace (up to 50 users) | None. Air-gapped deployment requires a paid plan. |
| Typical fit | Teams that want the fastest start with no server operations | Organizations with sovereignty, compliance, or infrastructure requirements | Defense, intelligence, and classified environments (SCIF-ready, up to IL6) |

## Cloud-hosted

Rocket.Chat operates the workspace for you. Create it from the [Rocket.Chat Cloud Portal](/v1/docs/create-your-new-cloud-account). When you create your first cloud-hosted workspace, a Cloud account is created for you automatically.

## Self-managed

You deploy and operate Rocket.Chat on your own infrastructure using [Docker Compose](/v1/docs/deploy-with-docker-docker-compose), Podman, or Kubernetes. A free Starter workspace is provisioned automatically when you deploy. Review the [System Requirements](/v1/docs/system-requirements) before you start, and see [Reference Architectures by Workspace Size](/v1/docs/reference-architectures) to size the deployment.

## Air-gapped

The workspace runs with no connection to the public internet. Cloud-dependent services need alternative configurations: mobile push notifications require controlled outbound traffic or a custom push mechanism, and Marketplace apps are installed through Rocket.Chat Support on paid plans. See [Air-Gapped Workspace Configuration](/v1/docs/air-gapped-workspace-configuration).

> [!NOTE]
> Air-gapped deployment is not available on Starter. It is a paid-plan capability.

## Match the model to a plan

- **Commercial**: on-premises, private cloud, or fully isolated deployments for regulated industries.
- **Government**: on-premises and sovereign cloud deployments with Matrix federation for cross-agency collaboration.
- **Defense**: air-gapped, SCIF-ready deployments with DoD ATO up to IL6 (NIPR, SIPR, JWICS).

See [Our Plans](/v1/docs/our-plans) for the full comparison, or request a guided evaluation for a scoped Proof of Concept in your target environment.