Linphone vs MiroTalk
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted chat & communication options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
MiroTalk
Free WebRTC video conferencing and meeting rooms
| Feature | Linphone | MiroTalk |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 74 · Good | 87 · Excellent |
| Category | Chat & Communication | Chat & Communication |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 506 | ★ 4,748 |
| First released | 2001 | 2021 |
| Replaces | Skype, Zoom | Zoom, Google Meet |
What are Linphone and MiroTalk?
Linphone
Linphone is a free SIP-based softphone for voice and video calls and instant messaging. Combined with a SIP server it forms a fully self-hosted communication stack across desktop and mobile.
- SIP voice and video
- End-to-end encryption with ZRTP
- Cross-platform clients
- Instant messaging support
MiroTalk
MiroTalk is a free, browser-based WebRTC video conferencing solution offering screen sharing, recording, and chat. It can be self-hosted with Docker for private video meetings.
- No account or installation required
- Screen sharing and recording
- Built-in chat and whiteboard
- Multiple flavors including SFU
Linphone vs MiroTalk: key differences
Linphone is written in C++, while MiroTalk is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Linphone versus AGPL-3.0 for MiroTalk. Linphone is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for MiroTalk. Linphone is the more established project (first released 2001), while MiroTalk arrived in 2021. MiroTalk has the considerably larger community, at 4,748 GitHub stars versus 506. MiroTalk lists first-class Docker deployment; Linphone does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Linphone if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in C++
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Choose MiroTalk if…
- Quick to deploy
- Good feature set for free
Watch out for
- Needs TURN server for some networks
- P2P mode limited to small groups
Frequently asked questions
Is Linphone or MiroTalk better?
MiroTalk is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Linphone if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Linphone and MiroTalk free and open-source?
Yes. Linphone is licensed under GPL-3.0 and MiroTalk under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Linphone and MiroTalk with Docker?
Linphone: check the project docs for container support. MiroTalk: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Linphone or MiroTalk?
Linphone has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for MiroTalk. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.