Converse.js vs SchildiChat
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 | SchildiChat |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 15 · At risk |
| Status | Actively maintained | Archived |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | MPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Shell |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,294 | ★ 464 |
| First released | 2013 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Slack | Slack, WhatsApp |
What are Converse.js and SchildiChat?
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
SchildiChat
SchildiChat is a fork of Element that adds a unified message bubble layout and other usability improvements. The web version can be self-hosted to connect to any Matrix homeserver.
- Message bubble layout
- Element compatibility
- End-to-end encryption
- Unified chat list
Converse.js vs SchildiChat: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: SchildiChat's repository is archived and no longer developed, while Converse.js is actively maintained. Converse.js is written in JavaScript, while SchildiChat is built with Shell. Licensing differs — MPL-2.0 for Converse.js versus AGPL-3.0 for SchildiChat. Converse.js is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for SchildiChat. Converse.js is the more established project (first released 2013), while SchildiChat arrived in 2020. Converse.js has the considerably larger community, at 3,294 GitHub stars versus 464.
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 SchildiChat if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Shell
Watch out for
- Tracks Element upstream
- Matrix-only
Frequently asked questions
Is Converse.js or SchildiChat 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 SchildiChat free and open-source?
Yes. Converse.js is licensed under MPL-2.0 and SchildiChat under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Converse.js and SchildiChat with Docker?
Converse.js: yes. SchildiChat: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Converse.js or SchildiChat?
Converse.js has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for SchildiChat. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.