Dino vs MongooseIM
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Dino | MongooseIM |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 80 · Excellent | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Vala | Erlang |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,492 | ★ 1,760 |
| First released | 2017 | 2012 |
| Replaces | Skype, Slack | Slack, WhatsApp |
What are Dino and MongooseIM?
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
MongooseIM
MongooseIM is an enterprise-grade XMPP server written in Erlang, designed for high scalability and reliability. It supports clustering, REST APIs, and modern messaging extensions.
- Built for massive scale
- Clustering and high availability
- GraphQL and REST admin APIs
- Modern XEP support
Dino vs MongooseIM: key differences
Dino is written in Vala, while MongooseIM is built with Erlang. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Dino versus GPL-2.0 for MongooseIM. Dino is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for MongooseIM. MongooseIM is the more established project (first released 2012), while Dino arrived in 2017. MongooseIM 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 MongooseIM if…
- Released under the GPL-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (1.8k GitHub stars)
- Written in Erlang
Watch out for
- Complex deployment
- Requires Erlang knowledge to extend
Frequently asked questions
Is Dino or MongooseIM better?
Dino is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider MongooseIM if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Dino and MongooseIM free and open-source?
Yes. Dino is licensed under GPL-3.0 and MongooseIM under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dino and MongooseIM with Docker?
Dino: check the project docs for container support. MongooseIM: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Dino or MongooseIM?
Dino has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for MongooseIM. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.