Tinode 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?
Tinode
Open-source instant messaging server
VS
Session
Onion-routed private messenger with no phone number
| Feature | Tinode | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Chat & Communication |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Go | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | bare-metal, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13,452 | ★ 546 |
| First released | 2016 | 2020 |
| Replaces | WhatsApp, Slack | Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram |
Why pick each one
Choose Session if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in TypeScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Tinode or Session better?
Neither is universally better. Tinode has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Tinode and Session free and open-source?
Yes. Tinode is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Session under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Tinode and Session with Docker?
Tinode: yes. Session: check the project docs for container support.