Converse.js vs gomuks
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Converse.js | gomuks |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | MPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,294 | ★ 1,727 |
| First released | 2013 | 2018 |
| Replaces | Slack | Slack, Discord |
What are Converse.js and gomuks?
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
gomuks
gomuks is a terminal user interface client for the Matrix protocol. It supports end-to-end encryption and provides a keyboard-driven chat experience for people who prefer the command line.
- Terminal UI
- End-to-end encryption
- Keyboard-driven
- Single Go binary
Converse.js vs gomuks: key differences
Converse.js is written in JavaScript, while gomuks is built with Go. Licensing differs — MPL-2.0 for Converse.js versus AGPL-3.0 for gomuks. Converse.js is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for gomuks. Converse.js is the more established project (first released 2013), while gomuks arrived in 2018. Converse.js lists first-class Docker deployment; gomuks does not.
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 gomuks if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (1.7k GitHub stars)
- Written in Go
Frequently asked questions
Is Converse.js or gomuks better?
Neither is universally better. Converse.js has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Converse.js and gomuks free and open-source?
Yes. Converse.js is licensed under MPL-2.0 and gomuks under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Converse.js and gomuks with Docker?
Converse.js: yes. gomuks: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Converse.js or gomuks?
Converse.js has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for gomuks. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.