Gajim 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 | Gajim | Nheko |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 600 | ★ 2,496 |
| First released | 2005 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Skype, Slack | Slack, Discord |
What are Gajim and Nheko?
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
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
Gajim vs Nheko: key differences
Gajim is written in Python, while Nheko is built with C++. Gajim is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Nheko. Gajim is the more established project (first released 2005), while Nheko arrived in 2017. Nheko has the considerably larger community, at 2,496 GitHub stars versus 600.
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 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 Gajim 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 Gajim and Nheko free and open-source?
Yes. Gajim is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Nheko under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Gajim and Nheko with Docker?
Gajim: check the project docs for container support. Nheko: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Gajim or Nheko?
Gajim 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.