Gajim vs JSXC
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Gajim | JSXC |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Python | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 600 | ★ 731 |
| First released | 2005 | 2013 |
| Replaces | Skype, Slack | Slack |
What are Gajim and JSXC?
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
JSXC
JSXC is a real-time XMPP chat application that runs in the browser and can be integrated into web platforms like Nextcloud and SOGo. It supports OTR and OMEMO encryption.
- Browser-based XMPP client
- OTR and OMEMO encryption
- Integrates with Nextcloud
- Audio and video via WebRTC
Gajim vs JSXC: key differences
Gajim is written in Python, while JSXC is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Gajim versus MIT for JSXC. JSXC is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Gajim. Gajim is the more established project (first released 2005), while JSXC arrived in 2013.
Why pick each one
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
Choose JSXC if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Written in TypeScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Watch out for
- Needs an XMPP backend
- Integration-focused
Frequently asked questions
Is Gajim or JSXC better?
Neither is universally better. JSXC has the larger community, while Gajim is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Gajim and JSXC free and open-source?
Yes. Gajim is licensed under GPL-3.0 and JSXC under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Gajim and JSXC with Docker?
Gajim: check the project docs for container support. JSXC: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Gajim or JSXC?
JSXC has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Gajim. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.