Converse.js vs MongooseIM
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 | MongooseIM |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | MPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Erlang |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,295 | ★ 1,760 |
| First released | 2013 | 2012 |
| Replaces | Slack | Slack, WhatsApp |
What are Converse.js and MongooseIM?
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
MongooseIM
MongooseIM is an enterprise-grade XMPP server written in Erlang, designed for high scalability and reliability. It supports clustering, REST APIs, and modern messaging extensions.
- Built for massive scale
- Clustering and high availability
- GraphQL and REST admin APIs
- Modern XEP support
Converse.js vs MongooseIM: key differences
Converse.js is written in JavaScript, while MongooseIM is built with Erlang. Licensing differs — MPL-2.0 for Converse.js versus GPL-2.0 for MongooseIM. Converse.js is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for MongooseIM.
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 MongooseIM if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (1.8k GitHub stars)
- Written in Erlang
Watch out for
- Complex deployment
- Requires Erlang knowledge to extend
Frequently asked questions
Is Converse.js or MongooseIM better?
Converse.js is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider MongooseIM if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Converse.js and MongooseIM free and open-source?
Yes. Converse.js is licensed under MPL-2.0 and MongooseIM under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Converse.js and MongooseIM with Docker?
Converse.js: yes. MongooseIM: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Converse.js or MongooseIM?
Converse.js has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for MongooseIM. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.