Dino
Dino is a free, open-source desktop chat client for Linux built around Jabber/XMPP, a decentralized messaging protocol.
What Dino is
Dino is a free, open-source desktop chat client for Linux built around Jabber/XMPP, a decentralized messaging protocol. You can connect through federated infrastructure or host your own server. It supports multi-user chats, avatars, message archives, chat markers, HTTP file uploads and XMPP over TLS. For private conversations, Dino offers OMEMO and OpenPGP end-to-end encryption; its site says encrypted messages can be read only by you and your chat partners. Read and typing notifications can be disabled globally or for specific contacts.
Dino also supports peer-to-peer encrypted video calls and conferences compatible with other XMPP applications. Version 0.5 added file details or previews before download, along with upload and download progress indicators. Its new transfer method currently applies only to unencrypted transfers; encrypted transfers await full-stanza encryption support. Reactions and replies in group chats and channels depend on administrator support. Dino is available through repositories of many Linux distributions.
Good
- Free and open-source software.
- Supports OMEMO and OpenPGP encryption.
- Read and typing notifications are configurable.
- Supports encrypted video calls and conferences.
- Available through many Linux distribution repositories.
Watch out
- Available for Linux only.
- New file-transfer method covers unencrypted transfers only.
- Group reactions and replies depend on administrator support.
Who it suits
Dino suits Linux users looking for a private Jabber/XMPP chat client, especially those who want federated messaging or the option to host their own server. Its privacy controls and encrypted calls may also suit people who want more control over notifications and conversation privacy.
Verdict
Dino combines XMPP messaging with encryption, configurable notifications and encrypted calls in a free Linux desktop client. Keep in mind that its newer transfer method does not yet cover encrypted transfers, and some group features depend on administrators.
Plans and prices
From Dino's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Dino | Free | Open-source desktop chat client; Linux distribution packages listed |
The facts
Each one read from Dino's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- The site describes Dino as a desktop chat client for people seeking a private Jabber/XMPP experience.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Calls
- The home page says Dino supports peer-to-peer, end-to-end encrypted video calls and conferences compatible with other XMPP applications.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- The site states that Dino complies with the official XMPP Compliance Suites 2023.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Decentralized messaging
- Dino uses XMPP, a decentralized communication protocol that lets people use federated infrastructure or host their own server.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Development
- Dino is developed by an open community, and the site invites bug reports, translations and code contributions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The site says Dino is available from repositories of many Linux distributions and links to distribution package information.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Dino supports end-to-end encryption using OMEMO or OpenPGP; the site says only the user and chat partners can read encrypted messages.checked 11 Oct 2026
- End-to-end encryption
- The site says chats stay unencrypted only on the user’s computer and that OMEMO or OpenPGP encryption lets only the user and chat partners read them.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Feature availability
- For reactions and replies in group chats and channels, the group or channel administrator determines whether the features are supported.checked 11 Oct 2026
- File sharing
- The Dino 0.5 release added previews or file details before downloading and upload or download progress; the new transfer method is currently used only for unencrypted transfers.checked 11 Oct 2026
- File transfer limit
- Dino 0.5 uses the new file-transfer method only for unencrypted transfers; encrypted transfers await support for full-stanza encryption.checked 11 Oct 2026
- File transfers
- Dino 0.5 added a file-transfer announcement method, file previews or details before download, and upload or download progress indicators.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Messaging
- Dino is built on XMPP, a decentralized standard for instant messaging, and supports communication through a federated network.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Dino is free and open-source software whose code anyone can inspect and modify.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy controls
- Users can disable read and typing notifications globally or for specific contacts.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Dino is an open-source desktop chat client for Jabber/XMPP focused on a clean, reliable experience and privacy.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Protocol features
- The site lists support for XMPP extensions including multi-user chat, message archives, HTTP file upload, OpenPGP usage, and OMEMO encryption.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Users can ask questions or share ideas in the XMPP chat room at [email protected] and report bugs or feature requests on the issues page.checked 11 Oct 2026
- XMPP features
- The site lists support for multi-user chat, avatars, message archives, chat markers, HTTP file upload, XMPP over TLS, OMEMO and OpenPGP.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- The site identifies the developers as the Dino Team and provides a contact address for professional enquiries.checked 11 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The distribution packages page lists release packages for Arch, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, Ubuntu, Alpine, Gentoo, Guix, NixOS, Void Linux, FreeBSD, and OpenBSD.checked 11 Oct 2026
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