Mumble
Mumble is free, open-source voice chat software for low-latency communication, including conversation and gaming.
What Mumble is
Mumble is free, open-source voice chat software for low-latency communication, including conversation and gaming. It states that communications are always encrypted, with public/private-key authentication enabled by default. In supported games, positional audio can place voices in context, and an in-game overlay can show who is speaking, FPS, and the current time. Server administrators can manage users through an extensive access control list permission system. Ice protocols allow server functionality to be extended with tools such as web interfaces, authenticators, custom chat commands, and context-menu entries. The project provides server software and supports self-hosting. Mumble describes its users as including gamers, podcast recorders, hobby radio users, and workplaces. The core project uses a BSD-style open-source license. Official downloads list Windows and macOS clients and servers, while Linux users are directed to distribution packages. The iOS app is marked unmaintained, with its last update in 2017; listed Android clients are third-party apps not controlled or maintained by Mumble.
Good
- Free and open-source core software.
- Communications are encrypted by default.
- Self-hosting is supported with server software.
- Overlay can show speakers, FPS, and time.
- Server extensions can use Ice protocols.
Watch out
- The iOS app is unmaintained; last updated in 2017.
- Android clients are third-party apps not maintained by Mumble.
- Linux users are directed to distribution packages.
Who it suits
Mumble may suit gamers and groups seeking low-latency voice chat with self-hosted server options. The project also describes use by podcast recorders, hobby radio users, and workplaces.
Verdict
Mumble offers encrypted, low-latency voice communication alongside self-hosted server administration and game-oriented features. Mobile users should note that the iOS app is unmaintained and Android options are third-party.
Plans and prices
From Mumble's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Mumble | Free | Free, open-source voice chat software; server can be self-hosted |
The facts
Each one read from Mumble's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Administration
- Administrators can manage users with an extensive access control list permission system.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Audio
- The client provides low-latency voice communication for talking and gaming.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Downloads
- The official downloads page lists Windows and macOS clients and servers, and points Linux users to distribution packages.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Encryption
- Mumble states that communication is always encrypted and public/private-key authentication is used by default.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Gaming
- The client offers an in-game overlay showing who is talking, FPS, and the current time, plus positional audio in supported games.checked 4 Oct 2001
- General support
- For general support, Mumble directs users to its GitHub issue tracker and Matrix community chat rather than email.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Hosting
- The project provides server software and supports self-hosting; it describes the server as having low resource costs for hosting.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Integrations
- Server functionality can be extended through Ice protocols, including web interfaces, authenticators, custom chat commands, and context-menu entries.checked 4 Oct 2001
- License
- The core project is licensed under a BSD-style free and open-source software license.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Mobile availability
- The iOS app is marked unmaintained, with its last update in 2017; the listed Android clients are third-party apps that Mumble does not control or maintain.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Security support
- The project says it supports its latest stable feature version and asks users to report vulnerabilities privately by email.checked 4 Oct 2001
- Use cases
- The project describes use by gamers, podcast recorders, hobby radio users, and workplaces.checked 4 Oct 2001
- What it does
- Mumble is a free, open-source, low-latency voice chat application.checked 4 Oct 2001
The company
- Team
- Mumble says it is developed by voluntary contributors from multiple countries.checked 4 Oct 2001
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