Live chat solutions have become an integral part of online services and businesses. They allow for real-time communication, provide instant support, boost customer engagement, and significantly enhance the user experience. However, the majority of popular live chat solutions are proprietary, often involving subscription fees or compromising user privacy.
Open-source live chat solutions offer a compelling alternative. These self-hosted platforms deliver similar functionalities as their proprietary counterparts like Slack or Microsoft Teams, while also providing added benefits of cost-effectiveness, data control, and customizability. Thanks to their open-source nature, users have the freedom to modify the software to suit their unique requirements.
In this article, we will explore some popular open-source live chat solutions and provide a detailed guide on setting up one of the most widely used open-source chat servers, Rocket.Chat, on a VPS. If you're a small business owner, a privacy-conscious user, or a developer looking to leverage the power of open-source software, this guide is designed for you. So, let's dive right in!
Why Open-Source Live Chat
Open-source live chat solutions are essentially messaging platforms whose source code is openly shared and available for modification. This open availability is transformative, as it allows anyone to study, use, modify, and distribute the software, fostering a collaborative and community-driven approach to software development.
What makes these solutions unique is their self-hosted nature. Instead of relying on a third-party server, businesses can host these platforms on their own servers or a VPS. This results in several key benefits:
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Cost-Effective: Open-source solutions generally have no licensing fees, which can significantly reduce costs, especially for small to medium-sized businesses.
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Customizable: The flexibility of open-source software allows organizations to tailor these platforms to their specific needs. Whether it's modifying the user interface, integrating with other systems, or developing new functionalities, the possibilities are virtually endless.
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Data Control and Privacy: With self-hosting, you have complete control over your data. This is especially important in a world where data privacy and security are increasingly crucial. By hosting the live chat on your own server, your data doesn't leave your controlled environment, reducing the risk of data breaches or third-party access.
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Community Support and Innovation: The open-source community is a vibrant ecosystem of developers and users. This means that these platforms are often continuously updated, improved, and checked for bugs by community members. The large user base also means that if you run into problems, there's likely someone who can help.
Navigating the world of live chat solutions can be overwhelming due to the numerous options available. To ease your decision-making process, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table. This table offers a side-by-side analysis of the three primary types of live chat solutions: open-source (self-hosted), free services, and paid services. For each category, we have evaluated key criteria such as data privacy, control and customization, initial setup and maintenance, cost, reliability, performance, and storage capacity. By understanding these factors, you can select a solution that best aligns with your business needs. Here's how they compare:
| Criteria | Open-Source Live Chat (Self-Hosted) | Free Live Chat Services | Paid Live Chat Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Privacy | High: User has full control over data, reducing risk of third-party access. | Low-Medium: Chats are stored on shared servers, providers may scan data for targeted advertising. | Medium-High: Better privacy compared to free services, but user data is still stored on provider servers. |
| Control and Customization | High: User has full control over the server and its configuration. | Low: Limited customization options, bound by provider's terms and conditions. | Medium: More features and customization options compared to free services, but still limited compared to self-hosted. |
| Initial Setup and Maintenance | High: Requires technical knowledge for setup and ongoing maintenance. | Low: No setup or maintenance required by the user. | Low: No setup or maintenance required by the user. |
| Cost | Variable: Initial setup costs and ongoing maintenance costs, but can be cost-effective in the long run especially for businesses. | Low: Free to use, but with limitations on features, etc. | Medium-High: Monthly or yearly subscription fees, but includes enhanced features. |
| Reliability and Performance | High: Dedicated resources ensure smooth operation and handling of chats. | Medium: Performance may be affected during peak usage times due to shared resources. | High: Typically offer reliable performance, but still subject to occasional downtime. |
| Capacity | High: Depends on the chosen server plan, usually more generous than free public services. | Low-Medium: Free plans offer limited storage, premium plans offer more. | High: Paid plans usually offer large to unlimited storage. |
Popular Open-Source Live Chat Solutions
The open-source community boasts a plethora of real-time communication tools, each showcasing distinct characteristics, benefits, and possible limitations. In the following section, we will provide a concise overview of some of these outstanding solutions.
Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat is a feature-rich live chat solution that supports video conferencing, screen sharing, live chat, and more. The platform can be customized to match your brand, and the chat experience can be enhanced with integrations. While its extensive feature set may appear daunting to beginners, it offers end-to-end encryption for those concerned with privacy.
Mattermost
Mattermost stands out for its ability to integrate seamlessly with popular tools like GitHub, Jira, and Jenkins. Its powerful search functions and multi-language support make it a great choice for global teams, though setup and maintenance can require a good deal of technical expertise.
Zulip
Zulip has won over many users with its unique threaded conversation model. This feature allows for easier tracking and management of lengthy conversations. It supports a wide variety of integrations and has a robust API for additional customization, though its unique interface may take some getting used to.
Jitsi
Jitsi is an open-source platform designed for video conferencing and messaging. It offers a simple setup process and a user-friendly interface. However, compared to others on this list, it may not have as many features or integration capabilities.
Nextcloud Talk
As part of the Nextcloud suite, Nextcloud Talk is a convenient choice if you're already using or planning to use Nextcloud for file hosting. Its features include secure video calls, chat, and file sharing. On the downside, as it's part of a larger suite, it may not be as feature-rich as dedicated live chat solutions.
Matrix (Synapse/Riot)
The Matrix open network facilitates secure and decentralized communication. The Matrix protocol is implemented by Synapse and Riot, offering end-to-end encryption, file sharing, and integrations with other communication platforms. Due to its decentralized nature, there may be a learning curve for new users.
XMPP Servers
XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) is a communication protocol used for message-oriented middleware. By setting up an XMPP server like Ejabberd or Openfire, you can establish a highly customizable chat solution. However, be aware that this requires a high level of technical knowledge.
To summarize and compare these options, here is a comparison table:
| Solution | Ease of Use | Customization | Security | Scalability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket.Chat | Moderate: Requires some technical knowledge but offers comprehensive documentation. | High: Offers broad range of customization options. | High: Encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA) supported. | High: Designed to support large organizations and teams. |
| Mattermost | Moderate: Designed for corporate use, might be overkill for smaller teams. | High: Offers a broad spectrum of integrations and extensions. | High: Focus on enterprise-level security with encryption, 2FA and more. | High: Built with large enterprises in mind. |
| Zulip | High: Known for its unique topic-based threading model. | High: Provides numerous settings for customizing the interface. | High: Offers encryption, and supports 2FA. | High: Can scale well and handle large volumes of messages. |
| Jitsi | High: Simple interface and straightforward usage. | Moderate: Supports essential customizations, but not as extensive as others. | High: End-to-end encryption available. | Moderate: Suitable for small to medium-sized teams. |
| Nextcloud Talk | High: Can be used as a part of the Nextcloud ecosystem. | High: High level of customization as part of Nextcloud platform. | High: Encryption and security in line with Nextcloud standards. | High: Scalability within the Nextcloud ecosystem. |
| Matrix (Synapse/Riot) | Moderate: Has a steeper learning curve but flexible due to decentralization. | High: Allows deep customization due to its decentralized nature. | High: End-to-end encryption, decentralization adds extra security layer. | High: Decentralized architecture supports significant scalability. |
| XMPP Servers | Variable: Depends on the specific XMPP server and its interface. | Variable: Highly dependent on the specific XMPP server. | Variable: Dependent on the specific XMPP server's features. | Variable: Depends on the specific XMPP server's capacity. |
Determining the Right Solution for Your Needs
When you're on the hunt for the perfect open-source live chat solution, you need to take into account a variety of factors. The right chat software for your team or business depends on a range of elements, such as the size and technical proficiency of your team, your server's hardware capabilities, and the specific needs your chat solution must fulfill. Here are some considerations to keep in mind.
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Team Size and Structure: Some live chat solutions are designed to handle the needs of large, enterprise-scale teams, while others are more suitable for smaller teams or startups. Consider how many people will be using the platform and how your team is structured. For instance, if you need to set up different channels for different departments or project teams, ensure the platform supports this.
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Technical Expertise: The level of technical expertise within your team plays a significant role in your choice. Some open-source solutions require a decent amount of technical knowledge to set up and maintain, while others are more user-friendly and require minimal technical understanding.
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VPS Capabilities: Your Virtual Private Server's capabilities, including its processing power, storage capacity, and data transfer speeds, are also significant considerations. Some chat solutions demand more resources, so ensure your server can handle the load.
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Security and Privacy Needs: If your team frequently discusses sensitive information, you'll need a platform with robust security measures. Look for features such as end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and user roles and permissions. Also, consider whether you are comfortable with your chat data being stored on third-party servers or whether you prefer a self-hosted solution.
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Integrations and Compatibility: Your live chat software should be able to integrate seamlessly with the other tools and software your team uses. This might include project management tools, CRM software, email clients, or other communication platforms.
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Scalability: Your chosen solution should be able to grow with your business. It should be able to handle an increase in users and chats as your team expands. Check whether the software is being actively developed and updated, as this often indicates that it will continue to improve and adapt to users' evolving needs.
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Customization: The ability to customize the software to suit your needs can also be important. This might include changing the user interface's look and feel, creating custom chat channels, or adding custom emoji or reaction options.
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Cost: Although many open-source solutions are free, there may be costs associated with setting up and maintaining the software, particularly if you need to upgrade your VPS or hire a professional for setup or maintenance.
Considering all these factors will help you choose the right open-source live chat solution for your needs. Make sure to do your research and test out a few options before making your final decision. It may take some trial and error, but the right solution can greatly enhance your team's communication and productivity.
A Detailed Guide to Setting Up Rocket.Chat on Your VPS
After thoroughly examining various options, it becomes evident that Rocket.Chat distinguishes itself amidst other open-source live chat solutions. This can be attributed to its comprehensive feature set, user-friendly interface, and consistent active development. Beyond this, Rocket.Chat offers a unique blend of control, customization, and security that makes it an attractive choice for many organizations. Furthermore, the open-source nature of Rocket.Chat enables a level of flexibility and scalability not often found in other platforms. This section will guide you through the process of setting up Rocket.Chat on your VPS, putting you in control of a powerful and flexible communication tool.
Before we start, it's worth noting that this guide assumes you have a VPS running a recent version of Ubuntu (20.04 LTS or later). It also assumes you have SSH access to your VPS and basic familiarity with the command line. Also, please make sure to replace "your-domain.com" with your actual domain name or the IP address of your VPS throughout the guide.
Step 1 - Update your system: Always ensure your system is up-to-date before starting any installation.
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get upgrade
Step2 - Install MongoDB: Rocket.Chat uses MongoDB to store its data.
sudo apt-get install -y mongodb
Step 3 - Install Node.js: Rocket.Chat is built on Node.js, so you'll need to install this as well. We'll use version 12 for compatibility.
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_12.x | sudo -E bash - sudo apt-get install -y nodejs
Step 4 - Install build tools: These tools are needed to build certain dependencies of Rocket.Chat.
sudo apt-get install -y build-essential
Step 5 - Download Rocket.Chat: Download and extract the latest Rocket.Chat version. Make sure to check the official Rocket.Chat GitHub repository for the latest version.
curl -L https://releases.rocket.chat/latest/download -o rocket.chat.tgz tar zxvf rocket.chat.tgz
Step 6 - Install Rocket.Chat: Change into the Rocket.Chat directory that was extracted from the tar file, install the application, and clean up.
cd bundle/programs/server npm install cd ../../..
Step 7 - Set up environment variables: These tell Rocket.Chat where to find the database and what port to run on. You need to add them in /etc/environment to make them persistent.
sudo nano /etc/environment
Add these lines at the end of the file:
ROOT_URL="http://your-domain.com:3000/" MONGO_URL="mongodb://localhost:27017/rocketchat" PORT="3000"
Save and close the file.
You can load the environment variables without rebooting by running:
source /etc/environment
Step 8 - Start Rocket.Chat: You can now start Rocket.Chat for the first time to make sure it's working.
node main.js
If you see Rocket.Chat start up without errors, you've successfully installed Rocket.Chat! Hit CTRL + C to stop the server for now.
Step 9 - Install and Configure PM2: To keep Rocket.Chat running even after a reboot, you can use a process manager like PM2.
sudo npm install -g pm2 sudo pm2 start main.js
To make PM2 start at boot, you can use its startup script generator:
sudo pm2 startup
This command will output a command that you need to run. It will look something like this:
sudo env PATH=$PATH:/usr/bin /usr/lib/node_modules/pm2/bin/pm2 startup systemd -u ubuntu --hp /home/ubuntu
Run the command that was outputted, then save the current PM2 processes and state for restoration at boot:
sudo pm2 save
Step 10 - Open Firewall (Optional): If you have a firewall enabled, you'll need to open port 3000.
sudo ufw allow 3000
Step 11 - Access Rocket.Chat: Finally, open a web browser and navigate to http://your-domain.com:3000 to complete the Rocket.Chat setup via the setup wizard. If you cannot access it, make sure your VPS provider allows inbound connections on port 3000. This setup should be resilient to server reboots and automatically start Rocket.Chat on boot.
Maintenance and Upgrading Your Rocket.Chat Server
Once your Rocket.Chat server is up and running, it's essential to ensure its smooth operation over time. This includes regular maintenance tasks and upgrading the server software when new releases become available.
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Regular Backups: The MongoDB database stores all your Rocket.Chat data. Ensure that you have a regular backup mechanism in place. MongoDB provides various backup methods that you can choose based on your requirements.
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Software Updates: Rocket.Chat will frequently release updates that provide new features and security enhancements. Keeping your software updated is crucial. Remember to check the official Rocket.Chat GitHub repository or the official website for any new releases.
When upgrading, always refer to the Rocket.Chat update guide provided with the release. It’s also a good practice to backup your MongoDB database before an upgrade, in case you need to roll back.
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Monitoring: Monitor the server's resources such as CPU, memory, and disk usage to ensure it is performing optimally. You can use tools like htop, vmstat, and iostat for monitoring in real-time.
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Security Updates: Regularly update your VPS and all its components to the latest versions to get the most recent security patches.
Security Considerations
Security is paramount when setting up a live chat server, especially if it's exposed to the internet.
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Firewall: Ensure that your VPS has a properly configured firewall. Limit the accessible ports to only those necessary for your chat server and SSH.
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SSL/TLS: If you are using Rocket.Chat over the internet, ensure to set up SSL/TLS for encrypted communication. You can get a free SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt using the Certbot.
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Software Updates: As mentioned earlier, keep all the server's software updated to the latest versions. This includes the operating system, Node.js, MongoDB, and Rocket.Chat.
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Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for your server and Rocket.Chat admin account. Consider using a password manager to handle complex passwords.
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Server Access: Limit who can access your server. If possible, only allow certain IP addresses SSH access to your server.
Happy Chatting!
Open-source live chat solutions offer numerous benefits from cost savings to full control and customization according to your needs. With an open-source tool like Rocket.Chat, you can easily set up a robust, secure, and fully functional chat server.
We encourage you to take this knowledge, experiment, and set up your own live chat solution. While the initial setup might take some effort, the long-term benefits are worth it. And remember, the open-source community is always there to help when you run into issues. Happy chatting!