Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Google Hangouts

Tinode is a full-stack instant messaging platform designed for building modern chat applications. It provides a Go-based server, official clients for web and mobile, and APIs that support custom integrations such as chatbots and automated agents.

Key Features

• One-to-one messaging, group chats, and broadcast-style channels with read-only subscribers
• Real-time delivery, read receipts, typing indicators, and presence notifications
• Rich message content: markdown-style formatting, inline media, and file attachments
• Voice and video calls, plus voice messages
• Granular per-topic access control and server-side blocking controls
• Extensible architecture with plugins for features like moderation and chatbots
• JSON over WebSocket (with optional long polling) and Protobuf over gRPC
• Pluggable database layer with support for PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, and MongoDB
• Media/file handling via local filesystem or S3-compatible storage backends

Use Cases

• Building a custom consumer or community chat app (mobile + web)
• Adding in-app messaging, support chat, or anonymous chat to a product
• Developing bot-driven workflows and integrations using the messaging APIs

Limitations and Considerations

• Federation and end-to-end encryption are listed as planned features and may not be available
• Some advanced capabilities (for example, full-text message search) are planned rather than included by default

Tinode fits teams that want an embeddable messaging backend with strong real-time features and multiple official clients. Its API options and extensibility make it suitable for both standalone chat products and messaging features inside existing applications.

Element is a Matrix-based collaboration and messaging client for web and desktop, designed for interoperable real-time communication across the federated Matrix network. It supports deployments where organizations want control over their communication stack while remaining compatible with other Matrix services.

Key Features

• Matrix client for rooms, direct messages, and community-style spaces
• End-to-end encryption for private conversations (Matrix E2EE)
• Cross-organization interoperability via Matrix federation
• Audio/video calling capabilities via the Matrix ecosystem
• Configurable deployment via a static web build and a JSON configuration file
• Optional desktop app packaging (Electron wrapper)

Use Cases

• Secure team chat for companies, communities, and public-sector organizations
• Federated collaboration between multiple organizations using different Matrix servers
• Self-hosted communication front-end paired with a Matrix homeserver

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires a compatible Matrix homeserver (such as Synapse) to function
• Recommended to host the client on a different domain than the homeserver to reduce XSS risk

Element is a widely used Matrix client that emphasizes interoperability, encryption, and deployment flexibility. It is a strong choice for organizations that want modern real-time collaboration without vendor lock-in.

Synapse is a Matrix homeserver implementation that powers federated, end-to-end encrypted real-time communication using the open Matrix protocol. It provides the core server-side APIs needed for Matrix clients and for federation with other Matrix servers.

Key Features

• Matrix Client-Server API for chat, rooms, presence, and device management
• Server-to-Server federation to communicate with other Matrix homeservers
• End-to-end encryption support via Matrix encryption primitives and device tracking
• Moderation and administration capabilities for users, rooms, and server policy
• Pluggable authentication options (commonly used with SSO/OIDC deployments)
• Scales from small communities to large deployments with supported production setups

Use Cases

• Running a private or community Matrix chat server with federation support
• Operating an enterprise messaging backend for Matrix clients (including Element)
• Hosting regulated or controlled-communication deployments with central administration

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires careful operational tuning for larger instances (database, caching, and workers)
• Feature completeness can depend on Matrix spec evolution and enabled server modules

Synapse is widely used in the Matrix ecosystem and is actively maintained, providing a stable foundation for self-managed, interoperable real-time communications. It is typically deployed alongside a reverse proxy and other Matrix components depending on the desired feature set.

Converse.js is a modern, feature-rich XMPP (Jabber) chat client that runs entirely in the web browser. It can be deployed as a full-page web app or embedded into existing websites as an overlay or inline widget.

Key Features

• Multiple UI modes: full-page app, overlay chat boxes, or embedded components
• Direct messages and multi-user chat rooms (MUC)
• OMEMO end-to-end encryption (server support required)
• Message features such as corrections, retractions, moderation, reactions, and styling
• HTTP File Upload support for file sharing (server support required)
• Desktop notifications and presence/status indicators
• Extensive XMPP protocol support (wide range of XEPs)
• Plugin-based architecture for customization and extensions
• Internationalization with many community translations

Use Cases

• Add an embeddable chat widget to a community or support website backed by an XMPP server
• Provide a browser-based client for an organization’s existing XMPP/Jabber infrastructure
• Host secure group chat rooms with moderation features for teams or public communities

Limitations and Considerations

• Feature availability depends on the connected XMPP server and enabled XEP support (for example, OMEMO, file upload, URL previews)

Converse.js is a strong option for anyone needing a standards-based web chat client with flexible embedding options. Its broad XMPP support and extensibility make it suitable for both simple deployments and deep integrations.

Movim is a federated blogging and messaging platform that acts as a web frontend for the XMPP protocol. It combines social posting features with real-time chat and group conversations in a responsive, cross-platform web interface.

Key Features

• Web-based XMPP client with real-time 1:1 and group chat
• Federated social network features: posts, comments, likes, mentions, and communities
• Search across posts, chatrooms, communities, tags, and people
• Push notifications for social interactions and mentions
• Public chatrooms and private group chats with member invitations
• Account connectivity features to integrate other chat accounts
• Personalization options such as dark mode and accent color
• Multilingual interface with extensive translation coverage

Use Cases

• Run a community hub that blends XMPP chatrooms with social posting
• Provide a modern web client for an existing XMPP server deployment
• Host private group collaboration spaces backed by XMPP

Movim is a strong fit when you want XMPP-based messaging paired with a lightweight, federated social experience accessible from any modern browser.

Prosody IM is a modern XMPP (Jabber) communication server focused on being lightweight, easy to configure, and efficient with system resources. It provides a flexible, modular platform for running private chat infrastructure and extending XMPP with custom functionality.

Key Features

• Standards-based XMPP server supporting a wide range of desktop and mobile XMPP clients
• Modular architecture for enabling features and adding custom extensions via modules
• Federation with other XMPP servers to participate in the open XMPP network
• Designed for low resource usage and straightforward configuration
• Developer-friendly platform for rapidly prototyping new protocol features

Use Cases

• Host private chat for a company, community, family, or homelab
• Run a federated messaging service that connects to other XMPP-compatible servers
• Build custom XMPP functionality (bots, integrations, experimental protocol extensions)

Prosody IM is a strong fit when you want control over messaging data and a mature, open protocol with broad client support. Its Lua-based modular design makes it especially suitable for operators and developers who value simplicity and extensibility.

Conduit is a lightweight, open-source Matrix homeserver implemented in Rust. It targets easy setup and low system requirements by shipping as a single binary with an embedded database (RocksDB by default) while also supporting a SQLite backend for smaller installations. (conduit.rs)

Key Features

• Single self-contained binary for simple deployment and low overhead.
• Implemented in Rust and built on Ruma and the axum web framework for modularity and performance. (gitlab.com)
• Default RocksDB storage engine with an optional SQLite backend; configurable cache and DB tuning options. (famedly.gitlab.io)
• Docker and systemd packaging examples and deployment guides; configuration via a conduit.toml file (TOML-based). (famedly.gitlab.io)
• Focus on core Matrix features with ongoing improvements and a changelog documenting protocol/version updates and fixes. (conduit.rs)

Use Cases

• Small personal or family Matrix homeserver on low-resource hardware (Raspberry Pi, single-board computers).
• Lightweight team or community chat server that needs easy setup and minimal maintenance overhead.
• Developers and administrators who prefer a single-binary Rust implementation for embedding or custom deployments.

Limitations and Considerations

• Project is marked beta: some Matrix features and federation edge-cases are incomplete (examples historically include certain E2EE federation behaviors and outgoing presence/read-receipt handling). Users should evaluate feature gaps against their needs before production use. (github.com)

Conduit provides a compact, Rust-native alternative to heavier Matrix homeservers, prioritizing simplicity, performance, and low resource usage while continuing to close feature gaps and improve federation behavior.

Continuwuity is a community-driven Matrix homeserver implemented in Rust. It continues the Conduwuit codebase with a focus on long-term maintenance, performance, and compatibility across the federated Matrix network.

Key Features

• Matrix homeserver implementation supporting federation with other servers
• High-performance, lightweight Rust codebase designed for modest hardware
• Secure-by-default, memory-safe implementation
• Appservice support for bridges to external platforms
• Administrator tooling, including admin command reference and operational documentation
• Multiple deployment options, including container images and Nix-based builds

Use Cases

• Self-host a personal or community Matrix server for secure, federated chat
• Run a lightweight homeserver for small organizations on limited resources
• Host Matrix bridges via appservices to connect Matrix with other platforms

Limitations and Considerations

• No public open-registration demo instances are provided by the project
• Migration is primarily intended for Conduwuit users; databases from several other homeservers are not compatible

Continuwuity is a practical choice for administrators who want a Rust-based Matrix homeserver with an emphasis on efficiency, ongoing maintenance, and improving protocol compliance. It targets stable operation and approachable deployment for modern Matrix infrastructure.

Libervia is a modular communication and social platform built on the XMPP protocol. It provides a shared backend and multiple frontends (including a web interface) to deliver messaging and social features in a unified, extensible system.

Key Features

• XMPP-based architecture leveraging the open, federated messaging ecosystem
• Multiple user interfaces, including a web frontend (Libervia Web)
• Real-time chat and contact management via XMPP
• Social features often associated with "social networking" use cases (implemented through XMPP extensions)
• Extensible, plugin-oriented design to add or customize features

Use Cases

• Run a self-managed team chat and messaging service using XMPP
• Provide a federated communication platform for communities or organizations
• Build custom XMPP-powered apps by extending the backend and exposing tailored frontends

Limitations and Considerations

• Feature availability can depend on XMPP server support and enabled XMPP extensions
• A full deployment typically involves multiple components (backend, XMPP server, and chosen frontends)

Libervia is best suited for users who want an open-protocol communication stack with the flexibility of multiple interfaces. Its XMPP foundation and modular design make it a strong choice for extensible, federated messaging and social functionality.