Tinode
Matrix & XMPPOpen-source instant messaging server
Replaces WhatsApp, Slack
Best Multi-User Matrix & XMPP for self-hosting
The 20 best Multi-User matrix & xmpp you can self-host, ranked by community traction.
ejabberd
Matrix & XMPPRobust, scalable XMPP messaging server
Replaces Slack, WhatsApp
Synapse
Matrix & XMPPReference homeserver for the Matrix network
Replaces Slack, Discord
Openfire
Matrix & XMPPReal-time collaboration XMPP server written in Java
Replaces Slack, Microsoft Teams
ZNC
Matrix & XMPPAdvanced and flexible IRC bouncer
Replaces IRCCloud
Movim
Matrix & XMPPSocial and chat platform built on XMPP
Replaces Facebook, Slack
mautrix-whatsapp
Matrix & XMPPMatrix-WhatsApp puppeting bridge
Replaces WhatsApp official client
MongooseIM
Matrix & XMPPScalable, robust XMPP messaging platform
Replaces Slack, WhatsApp
Convos
Matrix & XMPPAlways-online web IRC client you can self-host
Replaces Slack, IRCCloud
Element Call
Matrix & XMPPEncrypted group video calls on Matrix
Replaces Zoom, Google Meet
Dendrite Lite
Matrix & XMPPSecond-generation Matrix homeserver written in Go
Replaces Slack, Discord
Hydrogen
Matrix & XMPPWeb client for Matrix
mautrix-discord
Matrix & XMPPMatrix-Discord puppeting bridge
Replaces Discord official client
Mjolnir
Matrix & XMPPModeration bot for Matrix communities
Replaces Discord moderation bots
Tigase XMPP Server
Matrix & XMPPHighly scalable XMPP/Jabber messaging server
Replaces Slack, WhatsApp
Slidge
Matrix & XMPPXMPP-to-anything puppeteering bridge framework
Replaces Beeper, Matrix bridges
Metronome IM
Matrix & XMPPLightweight, fork-based XMPP communication server
Replaces Slack, WhatsApp
matrix-corporal
Matrix & XMPPReconciliator and gateway for managed Matrix homeservers
Replaces Slack admin tools
PeerTube Plugin LiveChat
Matrix & XMPPPlugin adding live chat to PeerTube streams
Replaces Twitch chat
Prose
Matrix & XMPPXMPP client for team messaging
Replaces Discord, Facebook Messenger
No apps match these filters.
At a glance
| App | Deploy effort | Difficulty | Min. RAM | License | ★ Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tinode | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 256 MB | GPL-3.0 | 13,527 |
| ejabberd | Under-an-hour setup | Hard | 512 MB | GPL-2.0 | 6,743 |
| Synapse | Under-an-hour setup | Hard | 1,024 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 4,699 |
| Openfire | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 512 MB | Apache-2.0 | 3,073 |
| ZNC | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 64 MB | Apache-2.0 | 2,128 |
| Movim | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 512 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 2,065 |
| mautrix-whatsapp | Under-an-hour setup | Medium | 256 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 1,905 |
| MongooseIM | Under-an-hour setup | Hard | 1,024 MB | GPL-2.0 | 1,760 |
| Convos | Under-an-hour setup | Easy | 256 MB | Artistic-2.0 | 1,196 |
| Element Call | Under-an-hour setup | Hard | 1,024 MB | AGPL-3.0 | 1,013 |
Quick picks
- Most adopted: Tinode (13,527 GitHub stars).
- Lightest footprint: Hydrogen (from 50 MB RAM, against 1,024 MB for the heaviest here).
- Licensing: 9 of 20 use AGPL-3.0; check the rest individually if you plan to modify and redistribute.
Every option here is open-source and self-hostable, tagged Multi-User within the matrix & xmpp category. Deploy effort is graded from published container recipes, not vendor claims — see the methodology.