Jami

Self-Hosted

Decentralized, privacy-first communication platform

Overview

Jami is an open-source, peer-to-peer communication system designed for privacy and autonomy. It enables end-to-end encrypted voice/video calls, instant messaging, and unlimited file sharing without relying on central servers. As a decentralized tool, it eliminates single points of failure and data collection by third parties. While it operates on a P2P model (no need for central infrastructure), users can optionally deploy relay servers to enhance connectivity in networks with restricted access. It supports cross-platform use (desktop, mobile, Linux) and is ideal for users prioritizing privacy over mainstream centralized services.

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:
  jami:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: jami
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Peer-to-peer (P2P) decentralized architecture
End-to-end encrypted voice/video calls & messaging
Unlimited file sharing with no central storage
Cross-platform support (desktop, mobile, Linux)
Optional relay server deployment for better connectivity

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Jami hard to install?

Jami is straightforward to install on most platforms—you can download official packages for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS from its website. Setting up optional relay servers (to improve connectivity in restricted networks) requires basic command-line knowledge and follows detailed documentation from the Jami project.

? Is it a good alternative to WhatsApp?

Yes—Jami is an excellent alternative to WhatsApp for privacy-focused users. Unlike WhatsApp (which relies on Meta’s central servers), Jami uses a decentralized P2P model with no central data storage. It offers core features like calls, messages, and file sharing but with stronger autonomy and no third-party data collection.

? Is Jami completely free?

Yes—Jami is 100% free and open-source software under the GNU GPLv3 license. There are no subscription fees, hidden costs, or premium tiers; all features are available to everyone at no charge.

Top Alternatives

WhatsApp (proprietary, centralized) Search Google

Telegram (proprietary, hybrid model) Search Google

Skype (proprietary, Microsoft-owned) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Communication - Custom Communication Systems

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ No central servers (maximizes privacy)
⊕ Open-source & free to use
⊕ End-to-end encryption for all communications
⊕ Decentralized (resistant to censorship)
⊕ Cross-platform compatibility

Cons

⊖ P2P connectivity may struggle in restricted networks (fixable via relays)
⊖ Smaller user base compared to mainstream apps
⊖ Setting up relays requires basic technical skills
⊖ Group call features are less polished than proprietary alternatives