Converse.js vs Element
Both Converse.js and Element are self-hosted alternatives to Discord, Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp.
Side by side
| Field | Converse.js | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Description | XMPP chat client in your browser. | Fully-featured Matrix client for Web, iOS & Android. |
| GitHub stars | 3,302 | 13,633 |
| License | MPL-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Platforms | Javascript | Nodejs |
| Latest release | v14.0.1, 17 October 2026 | v1.12.33, 27 October 2026 |
| Repository activity | 1 November 2026 | 30 October 2026 |
| Health | Active | Active |
| Categories | Communication - XMPP - Web Clients | Communication - Custom Communication Systems |
| Website | https://conversejs.org/ | https://element.io |
| Source code | https://github.com/conversejs/converse.js | https://github.com/element-hq/element-web |
Where the records differ
Computed from the two records above: a line appears only where the dataset states a figure, a date or a set relation, and no line recommends one application over the other.
- Element has more GitHub stars in the dataset, 13,633 against 3,302.
- Converse.js recorded repository activity more recently, 1 November 2026 against 30 October 2026.
- Element has the newer release on record: v1.12.33, 27 October 2026, against v14.0.1, 17 October 2026.
- Licenses differ: Converse.js is listed under MPL-2.0; Element under Apache-2.0.
- Platforms differ: Converse.js lists Javascript; Element lists Nodejs.
- Converse.js is filed under Communication - XMPP - Web Clients; Element is filed under Communication - Custom Communication Systems.