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Best Real-Time Matrix & XMPP for self-hosting

The 33 best Real-Time matrix & xmpp you can self-host, ranked by community traction.

Tinode

Open-source instant messaging server

Replaces WhatsApp, Slack

★ 13.5k Medium setup GPL-3.0

Element Web

Glossy Matrix client for the web and desktop

Replaces Slack, Discord

★ 13.5k Easy setup AGPL-3.0

ejabberd

Robust, scalable XMPP messaging server

Replaces Slack, WhatsApp

★ 6.7k Hard setup GPL-2.0

Synapse

Reference homeserver for the Matrix network

Replaces Slack, Discord

★ 4.6k Hard setup AGPL-3.0

Cinny

Simple, elegant and secure Matrix client

Replaces Slack, Discord

★ 3.9k Easy setup AGPL-3.0

Converse.js

Web-based XMPP/Jabber chat client

Replaces Slack

★ 3.3k Easy setup MPL-2.0

FluffyChat

Cute, cross-platform Matrix messenger

Replaces WhatsApp, Telegram

★ 3.1k Easy setup AGPL-3.0

Openfire

Real-time collaboration XMPP server written in Java

Replaces Slack, Microsoft Teams

★ 3.1k Medium setup Apache-2.0

Nheko

Desktop Matrix client with native Qt interface

Replaces Slack, Discord

★ 2.5k Easy setup GPL-3.0

Dino

Modern XMPP chat client for the desktop

Replaces Skype, Slack

★ 2.5k Easy setup GPL-3.0

Conduit

Simple, fast and reliable Matrix homeserver in Rust

Replaces Slack, Discord

★ 2.2k Easy setup Apache-2.0

ZNC

Advanced and flexible IRC bouncer

Replaces IRCCloud

★ 2.1k Medium setup Apache-2.0

Movim

Social and chat platform built on XMPP

Replaces Facebook, Slack

★ 2.1k Medium setup AGPL-3.0

MongooseIM

Scalable, robust XMPP messaging platform

Replaces Slack, WhatsApp

★ 1.8k Hard setup GPL-2.0

gomuks

Terminal-based Matrix client written in Go

Replaces Slack, Discord

★ 1.7k Easy setup AGPL-3.0

Profanity

Console-based XMPP client inspired by irssi

Replaces Slack

★ 1.5k Medium setup GPL-3.0

Convos

Always-online web IRC client you can self-host

Replaces Slack, IRCCloud

★ 1.2k Easy setup Artistic-2.0

Syphon

Privacy-focused Matrix client built with Flutter

Replaces WhatsApp, Discord

★ 1.1k Easy setup AGPL-3.0

Element Call

Encrypted group video calls on Matrix

Replaces Zoom, Google Meet

★ 998 Hard setup AGPL-3.0

Dendrite Lite

Second-generation Matrix homeserver written in Go

Replaces Slack, Discord

★ 970 Medium setup Apache-2.0

Element X

Next-generation fast Matrix client for mobile

Replaces WhatsApp, Signal

★ 948 Easy setup AGPL-3.0

Fractal

GNOME-native Matrix messaging client

Replaces Slack, Discord

★ 900 Easy setup GPL-3.0

JSXC

JavaScript XMPP client for the browser

Replaces Slack

★ 731 Medium setup MIT

Continuwuity

Community-maintained Rust Matrix homeserver

Replaces Slack, Discord

★ 700 Medium setup Apache-2.0

mautrix-signal

Bridge connecting Signal messaging to Matrix

Replaces Signal

★ 673 Hard setup AGPL-3.0

Gajim

Full-featured XMPP client with plugins

Replaces Skype, Slack

★ 600 Easy setup GPL-3.0

Construct

High-performance Matrix homeserver written in C++

Replaces Slack, Discord

★ 394 Hard setup BSD-3-Clause

Tigase XMPP Server

Highly scalable XMPP/Jabber messaging server

Replaces Slack, WhatsApp

★ 359 Hard setup AGPL-3.0

Poezio

Console XMPP client modeled after IRC clients

Replaces Slack

★ 200 Medium setup GPL-3.0

Metronome IM

Lightweight, fork-based XMPP communication server

Replaces Slack, WhatsApp

★ 175 Medium setup MIT

PeerTube Plugin LiveChat

Plugin adding live chat to PeerTube streams

Replaces Twitch chat

★ 111 Medium setup AGPL-3.0

Commet

Cross-platform Matrix client built with Flutter

Replaces Discord, Slack

★ 100 Easy setup AGPL-3.0

Monocles Chat

Privacy-focused XMPP messenger for Android

Replaces WhatsApp, Signal

★ 100 Easy setup GPL-3.0

Every option here is open-source and self-hostable, tagged Real-Time within the matrix & xmpp category. Compare them on the individual app pages for setup difficulty and resource requirements.