chat
About chat
Tinode is an instant messaging platform with a backend written in Go. It provides clients for Android (Java), iOS (Swift), web (ReactJS), and a scriptable command-line interface. The platform supports one-on-one and group messaging, video and voice calls, and channels with read-only subscribers.
Tinode aims to deliver a federated instant messaging solution, addressing limitations of existing protocols like XMPP. It emphasizes mobile communication and decentralized operation to resist tracking and blocking. The software is feature-complete and stable but may contain some bugs as it is in beta.
The platform offers granular access control, message synchronization across devices, and support for various authentication backends. It uses JSON over websocket or protobuf with gRPC for wire transport. Tinode is not compatible with XMPP and is positioned as a modern alternative to open-source messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram.
Key features
- One-on-one and group messaging
- Video and voice calls with voice messages
- Channels with unlimited read-only subscribers
- Message synchronization across all devices
- Granular access control with customizable permissions
- Rich message formatting with markdown-style syntax
- Forms and templated responses for chatbots
- Server-generated presence notifications
Download v0.25.3
Jul 4, 2026WindowsWindows
macOSmacOS
LinuxLinux
Frequently asked questions
- Is chat free?
- Yes. chat is free and open-source software, distributed under the GPL-3.0 license.
- Which platforms does chat support?
- chat provides downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux.
- What is the latest version of chat?
- The latest version is v0.25.3, released on Jul 4, 2026.
- What platforms are supported?
- Tinode provides native clients for Android (Java), iOS (Swift), web (ReactJS), and a scriptable command-line interface. The backend supports various programming languages through gRPC bindings.
- How do I install Tinode?
- Installation instructions are provided in the INSTALL.md file, with docker-specific instructions available in docker/README.md. The software can also be deployed using pre-built docker images.
- What license does Tinode use?
- The backend is licensed under GPL 3.0, while client software uses Apache 2.0 license.
- Is there a public demo available?
- A sandboxed demo service is available at https://sandbox.tinode.co/ with test accounts and a basic chatbot. Note that the sandbox server resets all data nightly.
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