Element Web vs Gajim
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Element Web
Glossy Matrix client for the web and desktop
VS
Gajim
Full-featured XMPP client with plugins
| Feature | Element Web | Gajim |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13,502 | ★ 600 |
| First released | 2016 | 2005 |
| Replaces | Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams | Skype, Slack |
What are Element Web and Gajim?
Element Web
Element Web is the flagship Matrix client, providing a polished interface for chat, voice, and video over the Matrix protocol. It can be self-hosted alongside a homeserver for a fully owned communication stack.
- Full-featured Matrix client
- End-to-end encryption
- Voice and video calls
- Customizable branding
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
Element Web vs Gajim: key differences
Element Web is written in TypeScript, while Gajim is built with Python. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Element Web versus GPL-3.0 for Gajim. Gajim is the more established project (first released 2005), while Element Web arrived in 2016. Element Web has the considerably larger community, at 13,502 GitHub stars versus 600. Element Web lists first-class Docker deployment; Gajim does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Element Web if…
- Most mature Matrix client
- Active development
Watch out for
- Heavier than minimal clients
- Best paired with own homeserver
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 Element Web or Gajim better?
Neither is universally better. Element Web has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Element Web and Gajim free and open-source?
Yes. Element Web is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Gajim under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Element Web and Gajim with Docker?
Element Web: yes. Gajim: check the project docs for container support.