Cinny: Open Source Alternative to Discord

Cinny is an open-source client for Matrix, the decentralized communication protocol, focused on a clean, simple interface for end-to-end encrypted conversations. It's AGPL-3.0 licensed and connects to any Matrix homeserver.

What is Cinny?

Cinny is a client, not a server — it gives you a polished, Discord-like interface on top of Matrix, while the actual self-hosting happens at the homeserver level (Synapse, Dendrite, etc.). Because it's Matrix-based, it interoperates with other Matrix clients like Element. That's a different model from an all-in-one self-hosted server like Rocket.Chat.

At a glance

Attribute	Details
License	AGPL-3.0
Category	Community
Stack	TypeScript, React
Self-hosted	Yes — via a Matrix homeserver
Alternatives	Discord, Slack, Rocket.Chat

FAQ

Is Cinny a free, open-source alternative to Discord?

Yes. Cinny is AGPL-3.0 licensed and free to use, connecting to any Matrix homeserver you run or join.

What's the difference between Cinny and Rocket.Chat?

Cinny is a Matrix client — a front-end that connects to a federated Matrix homeserver — whereas Rocket.Chat is a complete, standalone self-hosted server. With Cinny you also run (or join) a Matrix homeserver separately.

What are the top open-source alternatives to Discord?

Browse more open-source alternatives to Discord, or explore the full Community category.