Tinode is an instant messaging platform with a backend written in Go and clients for iOS, Android, JavaScript web, and command line.
Tinode addresses the fragmentation of instant messaging by creating a modern, federated alternative to XMPP that emphasizes mobile communication and decentralization. Rather than building yet another proprietary walled garden, the project aims to deliver on XMPP's original vision of interoperable messaging servers while making the platform harder to track and block. The backend is written in Go and provides a documented API for client implementations.
Tinode suits organizations or communities seeking a self-hosted, open-source messaging solution with native mobile support. It is positioned as a replacement for XMPP rather than as a Slack alternative, making it appropriate for scenarios where federation and decentralization matter more than team collaboration features. The project provides official clients for iOS and Android available through standard app stores, a web application, and a scriptable command-line interface, along with support for chatbots. A public service is available for testing, though production use requires self-hosting or commercial support.
The project is described as beta-quality: feature-complete and stable but potentially containing bugs or missing features. Development activity shows responsiveness to user feedback through a public issue tracker where feature requests can be voted on, and the maintainers actively solicit contributions in the form of pull requests, bug reports, translations, and UI improvements. Support is available through a public discussion forum and commercial channels.
