Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Android and iOS SDKs for building messaging with self-hosted server launched in 2015; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1SA
   Simple app-to-app messaging with a hosted server and common interface▲6

   2014 · dropfrog.io · its alternatives →

2. 2
   reception▲94

   Native iOS support chat for less churn

   4d ago · reception.sh · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Let's Chat▲323

   Like Slack, but opensource and self-hosted.

   2015 · sdelements.github.io · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Flock▲118

   A messaging app for making plans

   2014 · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Total.js Messenger▲181

   A small, open-source alternative to Slack

   2017 · totaljs.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Pingly▲86

   A new messaging platform working to evolve email

   2014 · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Studio▲124

   Roleplaying based messaging app

   2015 · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Node.js Messenger▲140

   A small alternative to Slack

   2017 · totaljs.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Apache Weex▲127

   A framework for building mobile cross-platform UIs

   2017 · incubator.apache.org · its alternatives →

10. 10OA
    Outkit – an abstraction layer for outbound messaging▲7

    2018 · outkit.io · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Rice▲81

    A location based marketplace for iOS

    2014 · its alternatives →

12. 12SM
    Simple messaging solution for apps▲5

    2015 · jiver.io · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Textcast▲128

    Messaging meets blogging

    2015 · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Helios▲66

    An extensible open-source mobile backend framework

    2014 · globalli.io · its alternatives →

15. 15
    SpareMin▲96

    Making conversations possible again

    2016 · sparemin.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    App Server▲63

    The next generation PHP infrastructure.

    2014 · techdivision.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Iterable for iOS and Android▲81

    Target customers with highly personalized messages on mobile

    2015 · iterable.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Babble▲92

    A more personalized social network

    2016 · its alternatives →

19. 19
    HiveFlux + Slack▲93

    Real-time task management meets real-time communication

    2015 · blog.hiveflux.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Pie for Android 1.0▲83

    Deliciously simple chat for work

    2015 · its alternatives →

21. 21VM
    Volatile messaging (self hosted and open source)▲5

    2014 · volatile-msg.herokuapp.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Hello for Android▲76

    Instantly start chatting with people in your local area

    2015 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Snaps▲63

    Toolkit for brand-building in messaging platforms

    2015 · atlantahighwayseafood.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    opp.io▲55

    succinct team messaging

    2014 · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →