What is XMPP?

XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) - also called “Jabber” - is a protocol for exchanging messages over the Internet.

The easiest way to explain the principle and advantages of XMPP is to compare it with e-mail: If you want to create an e-mail mailbox, you can search for a suitable provider (e-mail provider) and open an account there, e.g. at gmx.de, yahoo.com or web.de. The account name and the provider address form the e-mail address: “me@provider.net”. The exchange of e-mails between users of different providers is no problem: A GMX user can easily write an e-mail to a Web.de user: Similar to cross-border mail, providers exchange messages with each other without the user having to worry about it. The advantages are obvious: Users can freely choose their provider - and yet e-mail is a system in which anyone can communicate with anyone. Apart from an e-mail account with any provider and the recipient’s address, nothing is required to send messages.

XMPP is almost the same: you can imagine XMPP as e-mail - only for so-called “instant messaging” (“Chat”). An XMPP chat has the same basic functions as other chat systems like ICQ, Facebook Chat or WhatsApp. With one decisive difference: As with e-mail, you are free to choose your account provider with XMPP. Once you have found a trustworthy provider, you can create an account “me@provider.net”. With this account you can write or receive chat messages to other XMPP users. An XMPP address looks exactly like an e-mail address. (The underlying technique, however, is different.)

If you have an e-mail account, you can use it on different devices and with different mail clients: You are free in your choice of access. The same applies to XMPP: For various smartphone and desktop operating systems such as Android, iOS, Windows, Linux and MacOS, there are so-called XMPP clients that can be used to connect to your XMPP account. These allow messages to be exchanged with other users. This can also be done simultaneously on different devices: With XMPP, you can be online on your phone and your desktop computer simultaneously and access your conversations. You can choose an XMPP client that you like (or even develop your own if you can program) - there is no company binding. XMPP “belongs” to no one else than the users themselves.

Why use XMPP?

XMPP is particularly popular with WhatsApp critics because it is a free, independent and privacy-friendly alternative.

This sounds interesting to you?

Create an account on trashserver.net and try it now! The best way to test XMPP is with friends and family. All you need is an XMPP account and an XMPP client to exchange messages. Client recommendations for Windows, Linux and Android can be found in the FAQ.

Need help getting started?

I will be happy to answer your questions personally via e-mail: Contact