Dino vs Element Web
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Element Web
Glossy Matrix client for the web and desktop
| Feature | Dino | Element Web |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 80 · Excellent | 94 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Vala | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,492 | ★ 13,502 |
| First released | 2017 | 2016 |
| Replaces | Skype, Slack | Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams |
What are Dino and Element Web?
Dino
Dino is a free desktop XMPP client built with GTK that focuses on a clean, modern interface. It supports end-to-end encryption with OMEMO, file transfer, and audio and video calls.
- Modern GTK interface
- OMEMO encryption
- Audio and video calls
- Multiple account support
Element Web
Element Web is the flagship Matrix client, providing a polished interface for chat, voice, and video over the Matrix protocol. It can be self-hosted alongside a homeserver for a fully owned communication stack.
- Full-featured Matrix client
- End-to-end encryption
- Voice and video calls
- Customizable branding
Dino vs Element Web: key differences
Dino is written in Vala, while Element Web is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Dino versus AGPL-3.0 for Element Web. Element Web has the considerably larger community, at 13,502 GitHub stars versus 2,492. Element Web lists first-class Docker deployment; Dino does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Dino if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (2.5k GitHub stars)
- Written in Vala
Choose Element Web if…
- Most mature Matrix client
- Active development
Watch out for
- Heavier than minimal clients
- Best paired with own homeserver
Frequently asked questions
Is Dino or Element Web better?
Neither is universally better. Element Web has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Dino and Element Web free and open-source?
Yes. Dino is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Element Web under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dino and Element Web with Docker?
Dino: check the project docs for container support. Element Web: yes.