Dino vs Fractal
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Dino | Fractal |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Vala | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,492 | ★ 900 |
| First released | 2017 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Skype, Slack | Slack, Discord |
What are Dino and Fractal?
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
Fractal
Fractal is a Matrix client designed for the GNOME desktop and written in Rust with GTK. It supports end-to-end encryption, multiple accounts, and integrates cleanly with the GNOME ecosystem.
- GNOME-native GTK interface
- End-to-end encryption
- Multi-account support
- Adaptive layout
Dino vs Fractal: key differences
Dino is written in Vala, while Fractal is built with Rust. Dino is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Fractal. Dino has the considerably larger community, at 2,492 GitHub stars versus 900.
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 Fractal if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in Rust
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Dino or Fractal better?
Neither is universally better. Dino has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Dino and Fractal free and open-source?
Yes. Dino is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Fractal under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dino and Fractal with Docker?
Dino: check the project docs for container support. Fractal: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Dino or Fractal?
Dino has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Fractal. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.