Dino 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 | Dino | Gajim |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Vala | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,492 | ★ 600 |
| First released | 2017 | 2005 |
| Replaces | Skype, Slack | Skype, Slack |
What are Dino and Gajim?
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
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
Dino vs Gajim: key differences
Dino is written in Vala, while Gajim is built with Python. Gajim is the more established project (first released 2005), while Dino arrived in 2017. Dino has the considerably larger community, at 2,492 GitHub stars versus 600.
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 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 Dino or Gajim 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 Gajim free and open-source?
Yes. Dino is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Gajim under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dino and Gajim with Docker?
Dino: check the project docs for container support. Gajim: check the project docs for container support.