# tinode/chat

Instant messaging platform. Backend in Go. Clients: Swift iOS, Java Android, JS webapp, scriptable command line; chatbots

Repository: https://github.com/tinode/chat
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/chat
Language: Go
License: GPL-3.0
License Family: copyleft
Topics: chat, chat-application, chatapp, go, golang, instant-messaging, messenger, messaging, messaging-api, chatbots, chatserver, webchat-server, whatsapp, telegram, xmpp, video-call, video-chat, video-conferencing, webrtc, collaboration
Last push: 2026-08-23T06:49:16+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 96/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 91, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 4310, "days_push": 10, "days_rel": 60, "gap_med": 27.0, "n_releases_24m": 15}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 13471, forks 2077 (observed 2026-08-28T04:11:03.383774+00:00)

## What it is
Tinode is a full-stack instant messaging platform with a Go backend and native clients for Android, iOS, and web, plus gRPC support for many languages. It aims to be a modern, self-hostable alternative to WhatsApp/Telegram and a replacement for XMPP.

## Use cases
- self-host a private WhatsApp or Telegram alternative
- build a custom chat app with mobile and web clients
- replace an XMPP server with a modern messaging backend
- add real-time messaging with websocket or gRPC to my product
- integrate chatbots into a messaging platform
- add video calls to a chat application
- embed messaging in a mobile app with an SDK

## When to choose
- you want a self-hosted, open-source messenger with ready-made iOS, Android, and web clients
- you need a modern XMPP replacement with JSON-over-websocket or gRPC transport
- you want to build chatbots or custom clients on a documented messaging API

## When to avoid
- you need a Slack-style team collaboration tool with channels and integrations
- you require XMPP federation or compatibility with existing XMPP servers
- you need battle-hardened, enterprise-grade stability - it is beta-quality software

## Facets
- artifact type: service
- maturity: active
- function: websocket, rpc, chatbot, http-server
- domain: messaging-platforms, self-hosted, cross-platform
- platform: go, self-hosted, cross-platform
- tags: instant-messaging, messenger, webrtc, video-calls, grpc, xmpp-alternative, chat-server, federated-messaging, real-time, android, ios, web-server, docker

## Member repositories
- tinode/chat (main) score 96

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:11:03.383774+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-29T17:13:16.570811+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/tinode/chat (fetched 2026-08-28T04:11:03.383774+00:00, sha 6f3cdd4304c5)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.