Dino vs Nheko
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Dino | Nheko |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 80 · Excellent | 77 · Good |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Vala | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,492 | ★ 2,496 |
| First released | 2017 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Skype, Slack | Slack, Discord |
What are Dino and Nheko?
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
Nheko
Nheko is a free desktop client for the Matrix protocol built with Qt and C++. It supports end-to-end encryption, voice and video calls, and a clean native interface across Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- Native Qt interface
- End-to-end encryption
- Voice and video calls
- Low resource usage
Dino vs Nheko: key differences
Dino is written in Vala, while Nheko is built with C++. Dino is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Nheko.
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 Nheko if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (2.5k GitHub stars)
- Written in C++
Frequently asked questions
Is Dino or Nheko better?
Neither is universally better. Nheko has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Dino and Nheko free and open-source?
Yes. Dino is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Nheko under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dino and Nheko with Docker?
Dino: check the project docs for container support. Nheko: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Dino or Nheko?
Dino has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Nheko. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.