Converse.js vs Movim
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 | Movim |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 86 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | MPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,294 | ★ 2,055 |
| First released | 2013 | 2010 |
| Replaces | Slack | Facebook, Slack |
What are Converse.js and Movim?
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
Movim
Movim is a federated social networking and instant messaging platform built on the XMPP protocol. It provides a modern web interface for chat, group conversations, and a publish-subscribe news feed.
- XMPP-based federation
- Modern web chat interface
- Built-in blogging and news feed
- OMEMO end-to-end encryption
Converse.js vs Movim: key differences
Converse.js is written in JavaScript, while Movim is built with PHP. Licensing differs — MPL-2.0 for Converse.js versus AGPL-3.0 for Movim. Converse.js is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Movim. Movim is the more established project (first released 2010), while Converse.js arrived in 2013.
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 Movim if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (2.1k GitHub stars)
- Written in PHP
Watch out for
- Requires an XMPP server
- Smaller ecosystem
Frequently asked questions
Is Converse.js or Movim better?
Converse.js is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Movim if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Converse.js and Movim free and open-source?
Yes. Converse.js is licensed under MPL-2.0 and Movim under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Converse.js and Movim with Docker?
Converse.js: yes. Movim: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Converse.js or Movim?
Converse.js has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Movim. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.