15 self-hosted WhatsApp alternatives

Open-source, decentralized messaging network built on a Haskell core with Kotlin Multiplatform and native iOS clients; end-to-end encrypted messaging without user IDs.

19.3k stars1.4k forksAGPL-3.0last commit 26 Aug 2026Actively maintained

Tinode is an open source instant messaging platform with a Go backend, web/mobile clients, JSON WebSocket and gRPC APIs, and support for one-to-one and group chat.

13.5k stars2.1k forksGPL-3.0last commit 23 Aug 2026Actively maintained

Element is a Matrix client for secure team messaging and collaboration, offering end-to-end encrypted chats and calls with interoperability across the Matrix network.

13.4k stars2.7k forksAGPL-3.0last commit 26 Aug 2026Actively maintained

Synapse is a Matrix homeserver implementation for running federated, secure real-time chat and collaboration on your own infrastructure.

4.6k stars587 forksAGPL-3.0last commit 26 Aug 2026Actively maintained

Converse.js is an open-source, client-side web XMPP/Jabber chat app that can run standalone or be embedded into sites, with group chat and OMEMO encryption.

3.3k stars832 forksMPL-2.0last commit 14 Aug 2026Actively maintained

Tox is a decentralized, peer-to-peer communication system for encrypted messaging, voice/video calls, screen sharing, and file transfers without central servers.

2.7k stars311 forksGPL-3.0last commit 24 Aug 2026Actively maintained

Open-source browser-based peer-to-peer chat with E2E encryption, ephemeral messages, video/audio, screen sharing, direct file transfer, and iframe embedding.

2.3k stars430 forksGPL-2.0last commit 9 Aug 2026Actively maintained

Movim is a federated social platform and web-based XMPP client for blogging, chat, communities, and real-time messaging with a responsive cross‑platform interface.

2k stars281 forksAGPL-3.0last commit 26 Aug 2026Actively maintained

RetroShare is a decentralized friend-to-friend platform for encrypted chat, mail, forums, channels and secure file sharing, with optional Tor/I2P support.

2k stars323 forkslast commit 16 Aug 2026Actively maintained

Self-hosted, lightweight federated messenger with end-to-end encrypted threads and optional WebRTC audio/video calling across independently hosted nodes.

1.5k stars96 forksApache-2.0last commit 14 Jun 2026Actively maintained

Self-hosted, open-source XMPP-based messaging server providing end-to-end encryption, multi-device sync, federation, secure backups, and integrated WebRTC audio/video calling.

447 stars51 forksApache-2.0last commit 10 Jul 2026Actively maintained

Decentralized, browser-first chat focused on privacy and peer-to-peer interactions. Supports end-to-end encryption, WebRTC file sharing, voice/video calls, mixed-reality spaces and a webtop environment.

333 stars28 forksGPL-3.0last commit 24 Jun 2026Actively maintained

SAMA is a Node.js-based open-source chat server using uWebSockets.js, MongoDB and Redis, providing WebSocket/HTTP APIs, E2EE, clustering, and web/mobile clients.

158 stars15 forksGPL-3.0last commit 22 Jul 2026Actively maintained

Jami is a distributed communication platform for private messaging, audio/video calls, and conferencing, designed to work without central servers and with end-to-end encryption.

Activity unknown

Prosody IM is a modern, resource-efficient XMPP (Jabber) server written in Lua, designed to be easy to configure and extend for private messaging and federation.

Activity unknown