Converse.js vs Element Web
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Element Web
Glossy Matrix client for the web and desktop
| Feature | Converse.js | Element Web |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 94 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | MPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,294 | ★ 13,502 |
| First released | 2013 | 2016 |
| Replaces | Slack | Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams |
What are Converse.js and Element Web?
Converse.js
Converse.js is a free and open-source XMPP chat client that runs in the browser. It can be embedded into websites or hosted as a standalone full-page chat application.
- Embeddable XMPP web client
- OMEMO encryption support
- Plugin architecture
- Works with any XMPP server
Element Web
Element Web is the flagship Matrix client, providing a polished interface for chat, voice, and video over the Matrix protocol. It can be self-hosted alongside a homeserver for a fully owned communication stack.
- Full-featured Matrix client
- End-to-end encryption
- Voice and video calls
- Customizable branding
Converse.js vs Element Web: key differences
Converse.js is written in JavaScript, while Element Web is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — MPL-2.0 for Converse.js versus AGPL-3.0 for Element Web. Converse.js is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Element Web. Converse.js is the more established project (first released 2013), while Element Web arrived in 2016. Element Web has the considerably larger community, at 13,502 GitHub stars versus 3,294.
Why pick each one
Choose Converse.js if…
- Released under the MPL-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (3.3k GitHub stars)
Watch out for
- Requires an XMPP server
- No voice or video
Choose Element Web if…
- Most mature Matrix client
- Active development
Watch out for
- Heavier than minimal clients
- Best paired with own homeserver
Frequently asked questions
Is Converse.js or Element Web better?
Neither is universally better. Element Web has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Converse.js and Element Web free and open-source?
Yes. Converse.js is licensed under MPL-2.0 and Element Web under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Converse.js and Element Web with Docker?
Converse.js: yes. Element Web: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Converse.js or Element Web?
Converse.js has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Element Web. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.