Zulip 9.0 released with UI overhaul, enhanced features, and new mobile app in development

Zulip, the open-source threaded team chat application, has released Zulip Server 9.0, packed with hundreds of new features and bug fixes, seven months after the 8.0 release. This update brings a significant UI redesign, featuring larger font sizes and increased line spacing. Additionally, the new version offers major improvements for composing messages and enhanced navigation.

A key change in terminology sees streams renamed to channels, aligning with terms familiar from other apps. This change does not affect functionality or require integration updates. Users can now hide sidebars even in full-size windows, and messages and topic names load faster in both web and desktop apps.

The Zulip team is also developing a next-generation mobile app for Android and iOS using Flutter, promising a faster and smoother experience. A public beta is expected later this year.

Other notable enhancements in Zulip Server 9.0 include better message composition, improved message search, a redesigned user onboarding experience, new keyboard shortcuts, enhanced user management, and new integrations. The update also supports Ubuntu 24.04 and drops Ubuntu 20.04 support, and offers new and updated translations.