Feeling chatty? We're checking out VoceChat, a self-hosted and open-source web chat that lets you host your own private conversation platform from anywhere. With a super simple setup process via Docker, you can get started quickly. For added flexibility, VoceChat also offers free desktop and mobile apps, so you can stay connected whenever and wherever you need to.

What is VoceChat?

VoceChat is a Rust-based chat app that prioritizes private self hosting. With its lightweight architecture, you can build your own messaging platform with ease.

VoceChat is a secure, self-managed chat platform that empowers users to have full control over their data. It offers end-to-end encrypted transmission, allowing for seamless communication while maintaining user sovereignty. With the ability to immediately delete messages after reading, VoceChat ensures maximum security and convenience. Inspired by popular products like Slack, Discord, RocketChat, Matrix, and Solid, this innovative chat server has set a new standard in terms of stability, efficiency, and independence.

VoceChat Features

  • Emojis
  • Images
  • Markdown
  • Link embeding
  • File sending
  • Voice Messages
  • Public and private rooms
  • Enable automated message deletion
  • Easy embed for websites
  • Mobile apps with push notifications

Hosthatch

High performance compute VMs, with dedicated CPU allocations and extremely high IOPS NVMe disks. Deploy in 16 edge locations, and deliver consistently high-performance to your users, regardless of where they are located.

Starting at $4/mo

VoceChat is Free With Limitations

For personal use, including up to 20 registered users, you can enjoy a free VoceChat official image. However, if you're looking to scale beyond this limit, a commercial license is required. This license costs $49 per version, offering the necessary support and resources for larger user bases and more complex integrations.

Install VoceChat with Docker

If you don't have Docker installed and need help getting started, I recommend checking out our self-hosting guides for beginners. These guides cover the basics of setting up Docker on your server. They're designed to help you get up and running smoothly, even if you're new to self-hosting. Compose configuration:

services:
    vocechat-server:
        restart: always
        ports:
            - 3000:3000
        environment:
            - PUID=1000
            - PGID=1000
        container_name: vocechat-server
        volumes:
            - /docker/vocechat/data:/home/vocechat-server/data
        image: privoce/vocechat-server:latest

From here you can setup your VoceChat server behind reverse proxy. You can then use your domain to access your chat server using the free mobile apps or you can use the web interface to chat.

Final Notes and Thoughts

While VoceChat offers a user-friendly setup and numerous benefits, its limitations (specifically the 20-user cap in the free version) may deter some users from giving it a try. Nevertheless, for smaller teams or organizations with limited user bases, this might be an excellent choice, providing a cost-effective solution for their communication needs.

Check out VoceChat on Github and give the project a star!

VoceChat documentation: https://doc.voce.chat/