Dino vs Movim
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Dino | Movim |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 80 · Excellent | 86 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Vala | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,492 | ★ 2,055 |
| First released | 2017 | 2010 |
| Replaces | Skype, Slack | Facebook, Slack |
What are Dino and Movim?
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
Movim
Movim is a federated social networking and instant messaging platform built on the XMPP protocol. It provides a modern web interface for chat, group conversations, and a publish-subscribe news feed.
- XMPP-based federation
- Modern web chat interface
- Built-in blogging and news feed
- OMEMO end-to-end encryption
Dino vs Movim: key differences
Dino is written in Vala, while Movim is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Dino versus AGPL-3.0 for Movim. Dino is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Movim. Movim is the more established project (first released 2010), while Dino arrived in 2017. Movim 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 Movim if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (2.1k GitHub stars)
- Written in PHP
Watch out for
- Requires an XMPP server
- Smaller ecosystem
Frequently asked questions
Is Dino or Movim better?
Dino is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Movim if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Dino and Movim free and open-source?
Yes. Dino is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Movim under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dino and Movim with Docker?
Dino: check the project docs for container support. Movim: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Dino or Movim?
Dino has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Movim. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.