Databag

Databag is a fast, lightweight self-hosted messenger designed to run on minimal hardware while still supporting modern messaging features. It is federated, allowing users on different independently hosted nodes to communicate directly with strong cryptographic identities and end-to-end encryption.

Key Features

• Federated messaging between accounts on different nodes
• Public/private key based identity that is not tied to a hosting domain
• End-to-end encryption for sealed topics so the server admin cannot read content
• Topic-based threads to organize conversations by subject
• Unlimited participants in group threads
• Low-latency push using WebSockets (avoids polling)
• Optional audio and video calls using WebRTC (requires STUN/TURN for NAT traversal)
• Multi-factor authentication via TOTP
• Mobile push notifications (UnifiedPush, FCM, APN)

Use Cases

• Private family or small-community messaging on a personal server or low-power device
• Federated messaging between multiple organizations without a central provider
• Secure group threads for projects where message privacy is required

Limitations and Considerations

• WebRTC calls typically require configuring a STUN/TURN relay to work reliably behind NAT

Databag focuses on efficiency and decentralization while keeping the deployment simple enough for home servers. It fits best for users who want federated communication, end-to-end encryption, and optional calling without heavy infrastructure.