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Home/Categories/Communication & Collaboration/Tinode
icon of Tinode

Tinode

Open source alternative to Sendbird Chat, Stream Chat and CometChat

  • 13.5K stars
  • GPL-3.0
  • Active this week
  • Last commit 3 days ago

Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Tinode is an open source instant messaging platform with a backend server and multi-platform clients for building private messaging into web and mobile applications. A self-hosted alternative to Sendbird; GPL-3.0 licensed (server).

Visit websiteGitHub13.5K stars1-click deploy on Hostinger
image of Tinode
TL;DR

Tinode is a self-hosted chat server with web, Android, iOS, and command-line client code. It replaces hosted chat APIs such as Stream Chat or Sendbird when product teams want GPL-3.0 source access, WebSocket messaging, presence, read receipts, and attachment workflows under their own control.

Read the full breakdownHide the full breakdownWho it is for, how it works, trade-offs and the FAQ
who it's for

Who Tinode is for#

Product teams building private chat

Tinode fits teams that need chat features inside their own product and want to control the server and client behavior.

Skip if:

Use a hosted API if you need guaranteed managed delivery and vendor support more than code control.

Developers prototyping chat clients

The included web and mobile clients help developers learn the protocol and adapt working UI flows.

Skip if:

Skip it if you only need a lightweight chat widget for a marketing site.

the problem

The problem it solves#

Hosted chat APIs are convenient until chat becomes part of the product's core data model. Message retention, account identity, client behavior, and per-user pricing all become external constraints.

Teams building regulated, private, or deeply customized chat need more than an SDK call. They need to inspect the server, adapt the clients, and decide how messaging data is stored and operated.

how Tinode solves it

How it solves it#

Server plus client code

Tinode includes server code and client implementations for web, mobile, and command-line use. That gives product teams more starting material than a server-only chat backend.

WebSocket messaging API

Tinode uses a WebSocket-based protocol for realtime messaging. The model supports topics, subscriptions, presence, read notifications, and message delivery events.

Attachments and push paths

The project supports practical chat features such as file attachments, notifications, and multiple client types. Teams can evaluate the whole user flow instead of only the backend transport.

strengths · trade-offs

Strengths and trade-offs#

Strengths

  • Full-stack chat referenceBecause Tinode ships server and client code, teams can study how protocol, UI, and mobile behavior fit together. That is useful when replacing a vendor SDK with an owned messaging layer.
  • GPL-3.0 clarityThe GPL-3.0 license makes source-sharing obligations explicit. Teams embedding Tinode in proprietary products should review license fit before committing.

Trade-offs

  • -License obligations for embeddingGPL-3.0 may not fit every commercial embedding plan. Product teams should involve counsel before shipping modified Tinode code inside closed-source applications.
  • -You operate the chat stackTinode removes hosted API dependency, but uptime, scaling, backups, abuse controls, and mobile push reliability become your responsibility.
tech stack · detected from GitHub

What it's built on#

Languages
GoPython
Frameworks
Flask
frequently asked

FAQ#

Is Tinode self-hosted?

Yes. Tinode provides server code that teams can operate themselves.

What license does Tinode use?

Tinode is GPL-3.0 licensed. Review the license before embedding modified code in a proprietary product.

Does Tinode include mobile clients?

Yes. The project includes client code beyond the server, including mobile client implementations.

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Hostinger

Run Tinode on your own server

Hostinger sets Tinode up as a one-click app on a VPS.

Deploy on Hostinger

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