Best Open-Source Communication Apps
This list ranks 10 open-source communication apps by GitHub stars, highlighting popular tools for self-hostable chat and collaboration. AionUi leads with 29,325 stars, followed by simplex-chat and chat, which also have significant developer interest. All apps are cross-platform, supporting Linux, macOS, or Windows, with some extending to Android. Licenses vary, including Apache-2.0, AGPL-3.0, and MIT, ensuring flexibility for different use cases. These tools cater to teams seeking customizable, privacy-focused communication solutions without proprietary dependencies. Each app’s GitHub star count reflects its community engagement and adoption.
| # | App | Stars | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AionUi | 29.9k | Apache-2.0 |
| 2 | simplex-chat | 18.4k | AGPL-3.0 |
| 3 | chat | 13.4k | GPL-3.0 |
| 4 | DiscordChatExporter | 11.5k | MIT |
| 5 | owncast | 11.4k | MIT |
| 6 | coai | 9.2k | Apache-2.0 |
| 7 | WechatExporter | 8.2k | GPL-2.0 |
| 8 | caprine | 7.4k | MIT |
| 9 | ejabberd | 6.7k | NOASSERTION |
| 10 | ssh-chat | 5.9k | MIT |
AionUi is an open-source coworking app that integrates with multiple command-line assistants including OpenClaw, Hermes Agent, and Claude Code. It offers customization options for AI assistants and runs locally. The software is free to use.
SimpleX Chat is a messaging app designed for privacy, operating without user identifiers. It offers cross-platform support for iOS, Android, and desktop devices. The network emphasizes private communication by design.
Chat is an instant messaging platform with a Go backend. It offers clients for iOS, Android, web browsers, and command line, along with chatbot support.
Exports Discord chat logs to various file formats for archiving or analysis. Supports multiple output formats and preserves message metadata. Useful for backup or moderation purposes.
Owncast is a self-hosted live streaming platform with built-in chat functionality. It provides full control over video streams without relying on third-party services.
Coai is a multi-tenant AI platform with unified LLM gateway support for 200+ models and 35+ providers. It includes admin tools, billing systems, load balancing, cost management, and file parsing capabilities. The solution offers chat sharing, cloud sync, and model caching features.
WechatExporter is an open-source tool for exporting and backing up WeChat chat histories. It extracts conversation data from the local WeChat database for archiving or migration purposes.
Caprine is a desktop application that provides an elegant interface for accessing Facebook Messenger. It offers a streamlined experience for managing messages and notifications. The app is designed for users seeking a dedicated desktop solution for Facebook Messenger.
ejabberd is an open-source messaging platform supporting XMPP, MQTT, and SIP protocols. It is designed for scalability and reliability in large-scale deployments.
ssh-chat enables text-based communication through SSH connections. It provides a simple chat interface accessible via standard SSH clients.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the top pick in “Best Open-Source Communication Apps”?
- AionUi currently leads this list, which is ordered by GitHub stars among the 10 open-source options we track.
- Are these apps free?
- Yes. Every app on this list is free and open-source. Download links point to each project's official release.
- How is this ranking decided?
- The order reflects GitHub stars, a public measure of popularity. Data is pulled from official sources and last refreshed on Jul 6, 2026. We don't accept payment for placement.
How we rank:entries are ordered by GitHub stars, a public popularity signal. Versions, licenses and platform support are read from official release feeds. We don't accept payment for inclusion or position. Supported platforms reflect the latest release (Linux, macOS, Windows, Android).