ejabberd

Self-Hosted

Robust open-source XMPP server for secure real-time communication

Overview

ejabberd is a scalable, standards-compliant XMPP server enabling chat, presence, file transfer, and multi-user chats (MUCs). It supports clustering for high availability, integrates with MQTT for IoT use cases, and offers end-to-end encryption (OMEMO, TLS). Deploy via Docker, pre-built binaries, or source code on Linux, macOS, or Windows. Features modular plugins for extensibility, user management APIs, and compliance with XMPP RFCs—ideal for self-hosted teams prioritizing privacy and control over communication infrastructure.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  ejabberd:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: ejabberd
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Adheres to XMPP standards (RFCs)
Clustering for high availability
Modular plugin system for extensibility
End-to-end encryption (OMEMO, TLS)
Multi-user chats (MUCs) and file transfer support

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is ejabberd hard to install?

Basic setups are straightforward via Docker or pre-built binaries. Advanced configurations (clustering, plugin integration) require server admin skills, but Docker images simplify initial deployment for most users.

? Is it a good alternative to proprietary XMPP-based services?

Yes—ejabberd avoids vendor lock-in, adheres to open XMPP standards, and lets you control your data. Unlike proprietary options like WhatsApp, it supports full end-to-end encryption and custom integrations.

? Is it completely free?

ejabberd is open source under the GPLv2 license, so it’s free to use, modify, and distribute. Commercial support is available from ProcessOne, but core functionality has no subscription fees.

Top Alternatives

WhatsApp (proprietary modified XMPP) Search Google

Microsoft Teams (proprietary with limited XMPP support) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Communication - XMPP - Servers

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (full control over data via self-hosting)
⊕ Scalable for large user bases with clustering
⊕ Cross-platform deployment options (Docker, binaries, source)
⊕ Extensible via custom plugins

Cons

⊖ Requires technical server administration knowledge
⊖ Steeper learning curve for advanced configurations
⊖ Limited graphical admin tools (primarily CLI/API-driven)