FluffyChat vs Session
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
FluffyChat
Cute, cross-platform Matrix messenger
VS
Session
Onion-routed private messenger with no phone number
| Feature | FluffyChat | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Chat & Communication |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Dart | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | bare-metal, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,039 | ★ 546 |
| First released | 2019 | 2020 |
| Replaces | WhatsApp, Telegram | Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram |
Why pick each one
Choose FluffyChat if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (3k GitHub stars)
- Written in Dart
Choose Session if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in TypeScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is FluffyChat or Session better?
FluffyChat is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Session if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are FluffyChat and Session free and open-source?
Yes. FluffyChat is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Session under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run FluffyChat and Session with Docker?
FluffyChat: check the project docs for container support. Session: check the project docs for container support.