Cinny vs Gajim
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Cinny | Gajim |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,903 | ★ 600 |
| First released | 2021 | 2005 |
| Replaces | Slack, Discord | Skype, Slack |
What are Cinny and Gajim?
Cinny
Cinny is a Matrix client focused on a clean, simple and modern user interface. It can be self-hosted as a static web app to connect to any Matrix homeserver.
- Clean and minimal UI
- End-to-end encryption
- Static web app deployment
- Desktop builds available
Gajim
Gajim is a cross-platform XMPP instant messaging client written in Python with a GTK interface. It supports OMEMO encryption, group chats, file transfer, and an extensive plugin system.
- OMEMO encryption
- Plugin system
- Group chat support
- Cross-platform
Cinny vs Gajim: key differences
Cinny is written in TypeScript, while Gajim is built with Python. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Cinny versus GPL-3.0 for Gajim. Cinny is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Gajim. Gajim is the more established project (first released 2005), while Cinny arrived in 2021. Cinny has the considerably larger community, at 3,903 GitHub stars versus 600. Cinny lists first-class Docker deployment; Gajim does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Cinny if…
- Lightweight to host
- Attractive interface
Watch out for
- Fewer features than Element
- Matrix-only
Choose Gajim if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in Python
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Cinny or Gajim better?
Neither is universally better. Cinny has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Cinny and Gajim free and open-source?
Yes. Cinny is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Gajim under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Cinny and Gajim with Docker?
Cinny: yes. Gajim: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Cinny or Gajim?
Cinny has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Gajim. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.