Alternatives to Tinode

An open-source instant messaging platform with a Go server you can host yourself and mobile and web clients. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Tinode.

  • Synapse

    A self-hosted Matrix homeserver, written in Python and Rust and maintained by Element.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    Synapse is the reference Matrix homeserver under AGPL-3.0, federating with the wider Matrix network and working with any Matrix client instead of Tinode's own apps.

  • Snikket

    A self-hosted XMPP messaging service with apps, built for families, friends and small groups.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    Snikket is a self-hosted XMPP service with its own apps for families and small groups, federating with other instances but less suited to large organisations.

  • Prosody

    A lightweight open-source XMPP chat server written in Lua that you run yourself.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    Prosody is a lightweight MIT-licensed XMPP server written in Lua that federates with other servers, though users need a separate XMPP client.

  • ejabberd

    An open-source XMPP server, MQTT broker and SIP service written in Erlang.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    ejabberd is an Erlang XMPP server that also offers MQTT and SIP and scales to millions of sessions, but is more complex than servers for small groups.

  • Openfire

    An open-source XMPP chat server you host yourself, administered through a web console.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    Openfire is an Apache-2.0 XMPP server with a web administration console and plugins, working with any standard XMPP client rather than bundled apps.

  • Tuwunel

    A Matrix homeserver written in Rust, used instead of Synapse, and the successor to conduwuit.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    Tuwunel is a lightweight Rust Matrix homeserver under Apache-2.0 that works with existing Matrix clients, bridges and bots, though some niche spec parts are missing.

  • Campfire

    A self-hosted group chat system from 37signals with rooms, direct messages and @mentions.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Campfire is a self-hosted MIT-licensed group chat from 37signals installed with one command, running in the web rather than offering native mobile apps.

  • Conduit

    A lightweight Matrix homeserver written in Rust, shipped as a single binary with an embedded database.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    Conduit is a Matrix homeserver in Rust shipped as a single binary with an embedded database, still in beta and missing some smaller features.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.