CoyIM vs Gajim
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | CoyIM | Gajim |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Go | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 616 | ★ 600 |
| First released | 2016 | 2005 |
| Replaces | Skype | Skype, Slack |
What are CoyIM and Gajim?
CoyIM
CoyIM is a security-focused XMPP chat client that connects only over Tor by default and supports OTR encrypted conversations. It is a self-contained desktop application for private messaging.
- Security-focused XMPP client
- OTR encryption by default
- Tor integration
Gajim
Gajim is a cross-platform XMPP instant messaging client written in Python with a GTK interface. It supports OMEMO encryption, group chats, file transfer, and an extensive plugin system.
- OMEMO encryption
- Plugin system
- Group chat support
- Cross-platform
CoyIM vs Gajim: key differences
CoyIM is written in Go, while Gajim is built with Python. Gajim is the more established project (first released 2005), while CoyIM arrived in 2016.
Why pick each one
Choose CoyIM if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in Go
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Choose Gajim if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in Python
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is CoyIM or Gajim better?
Neither is universally better. CoyIM has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are CoyIM and Gajim free and open-source?
Yes. CoyIM is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Gajim under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run CoyIM and Gajim with Docker?
CoyIM: check the project docs for container support. Gajim: check the project docs for container support.