Our verdict: Jami is a good fit if you want encrypted calls and chats that do not depend on a company's servers. Connections run directly between devices, and creating an account needs no personal data. Because there is no server holding your messages, both sides often need to be online, and delivery can be less predictable than with central messengers.
About Jami
Jami is a GNU package developed mainly by Savoir-faire Linux, a Canadian company, and released under the GNU GPL v3. It is free with no advertising and no limits on file size, bandwidth, number of accounts or features.
Jami is fully peer-to-peer: devices connect to each other directly, with end-to-end encryption and perfect forward secrecy. Your account lives on your devices, not on a server, and you can link several devices to one account. Jami can also be used as a SIP client for regular VoIP accounts.
What it does well
- Peer-to-peer. Chats, calls and file transfers go directly between devices, without a relay server.
- Audio and video calls. One-to-one calls plus group video meetings and rendezvous points.
- No personal data. Creating an account needs no phone number or email address.
- Screen sharing. Share your screen or stream media files during a call.
- SIP client. Add a SIP account to make calls through a regular VoIP provider.
Who it is for
Good fit
Privacy-minded users who want encrypted calls and chats without relying on any company's servers.
Look elsewhere
People who need guaranteed message delivery to offline contacts or a large existing user base.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No central server
- No phone number or email needed
- Group video meetings included
- Also works as a SIP softphone
Cons
- Message delivery can lag when contacts are offline
- No password recovery if you lose your account backup
- Small user base
How to install Jami
The button downloads the official 64-bit MSI from jami.net; the beta build on the same page is a test version. After installing, create a Jami account locally and optionally register a username. Back up your account or link a second device, because there is no server-side password reset.
Questions about Jami
Is Jami free?
Yes. Jami is free and open source under the GNU GPL v3, with no ads and no paid tier.
Does Jami need a server?
No. Jami connects devices directly to each other. Your account is stored on your own devices.
Can I use Jami on several devices?
Yes. You can link multiple devices to one Jami account, which also serves as a backup.
