Dino review: private Linux chat over XMPP

Dino is a free open-source XMPP client for everyday chat on a Linux computer, with a say in where the account lives.¹³ XMPP, also called Jabber, is an open messaging standard.¹ Dino’s site compares it to email: many servers can take part, and you can host your own.¹ The app supports calls, encryption, file transfers and group chats.³ With end-to-end encryption on, the project says the server administrator cannot read your messages.¹

Last checked October 28, 2026.

At a glance

What it is: A Linux desktop chat app for the XMPP (Jabber) network, with encryption, calls and file transfers.³

Works on: Linux, with packages also listed for FreeBSD and OpenBSD.³⁶

Price: Free.¹⁸

Licence: GNU GPL version 3, or any later version.³

Best for: People on Linux who are willing to use an XMPP address.

Official site: dino.im

What Dino does (and how it protects your privacy)

On Linux, Dino is the desktop app for that network: direct chats, groups, files and calls, with privacy in mind.¹³

The website says Dino is secure by default, and that your chats never leave your computer unencrypted.¹ End-to-end encryption goes further: the message is scrambled on your computer, and only the people in the chat can unlock it. Once you enable OMEMO or OpenPGP, two standard ways to encrypt XMPP messages, Dino’s site says the server administrator cannot read them.¹ In the 0.5 release, OMEMO encryption by default is itself enabled by default.²

You still choose a server. Dino says you can use the federated network, where different people’s servers exchange messages, or host your own.¹ Flathub’s listing says Dino fetches history from the server and synchronizes messages with other devices.⁸ The latest published release is 0.5.1, from 15 November 2025, a maintenance release with bug fixes.⁴

Key Dino features

Encrypted messages: OMEMO and OpenPGP are both supported, and version 0.5 turns OMEMO on by default.¹²
Quieter presence: Read receipts and typing notices can be turned off for everyone, or for one contact only.¹
Groups and channels: You can set a room up as a private group or as a public channel.⁵
File transfers: Transfers show progress, and version 0.5 can preview a file before download when the newer unencrypted method is used.²
Voice and video: Calls work with two or more people, are end-to-end encrypted, and use a direct connection when they can.⁷
Other XMPP apps: An encrypted video call also works with another standards-based app, such as Conversations.⁷
A server you choose: Host your own, or use the wider federated network.¹
Code you can read: Anyone can inspect and modify Dino. An open community develops it on GitHub.¹

Dino pros and cons

Pros

It is free and open-source software, and many Linux distributions already package it.¹⁶
Servers can talk to each other, as email servers do, so one company does not own the whole network.¹
The 0.5 settings start with OMEMO encryption by default already switched on.²
You can stop other people seeing when you have read a message or when you are typing.¹
On a call, checking the OMEMO key first lets you trust that the call is end-to-end encrypted.⁷
Flathub marks the download Free.⁸ Its verification status lists this app as verified through the website dino.im.⁹

Cons

Messages go through an XMPP server, either one you host or one on the federated network.¹
An OMEMO key works on one client only. Copying Dino’s data onto a second computer can make OMEMO stop working.⁵
Starting a group chat still means typing a room address. The project says simpler dialogs for this are planned.⁵
The newer file announcements are only used for unencrypted transfers, such as public channels, until Dino supports full-stanza encryption.²
Group calls connect the participants directly. The project says that uses more bandwidth and does not suit a large group.⁷
The Flathub change notes still describe version 0.5 and say that update was over a year ago, while the project has published 0.5.1.⁴⁸

Is Dino safe and private?

Dino’s site says chats do not leave the computer unencrypted, and that OMEMO or OpenPGP keeps the message text from the server administrator.¹ A partner whose app cannot use the same encryption will not get that protection. The 2022 call notes say an unencrypted call is possible with a client that does not support call encryption.⁷ Call keys are exchanged with DTLS and the call is then encrypted with SRTP, a standard way to protect live audio and video.⁷

Dino keeps its data, configuration and OMEMO keys in ~/.local/share/dino on your computer, and one key must not be used by two clients at once.⁵ History is separate. Flathub says Dino fetches it from the server, so the server you use, or one you run, is part of the setup.¹⁸ An open community develops Dino on GitHub. The copyright line names Dino contributors for 2016–2025, under the GNU GPL, version 3 or any later version.¹³ Install release 0.5.1, from 15 November 2025, or a package based on that bug-fix update.⁴

How to get started with Dino

Install it from your distribution. Dino’s site points you to Linux packages.¹ Debian and Ubuntu use dino-im. Arch Linux, Fedora and openSUSE use dino. FreeBSD uses net-im/dino, and OpenBSD uses net/dino.⁶
Get an XMPP address. Use a server on the federated network, or host your own. Dino is the app that signs in.¹
Add the account. Version 0.5 combined accounts and encryption into one dialog.² Leave OMEMO encryption by default switched on. The 0.5 notes say that option is enabled by default.²
Add a person. Use the plus button at the top left, choose Start conversation, then use the plus button at the bottom of the list to add them.⁵
Send a test message. Ask the other person to confirm encryption is on before you share anything sensitive. That protection applies once encryption is enabled.¹
Set the extras you want. For a call, open the conversation and choose audio only or video.⁷ To share less status, turn off read and typing notifications for everyone or for that contact.¹

Who should use Dino (and who might prefer something else)

Dino fits a Linux user, or a small group, willing to get XMPP addresses and help each other through the first login. It works more like email than a single-brand app.¹ Friends who already use XMPP can meet you here, including on a call.⁷

If you would rather start from email addresses, read the Academy’s guide to Delta Chat. For a video meeting with people who will not install an XMPP app, use Jitsi Meet. If the network itself is the problem, the Academy’s guide to Briar covers that case. People already on XMPP can also call you from Conversations.⁷

Frequently asked questions about Dino

Is Dino free?

Yes. The project describes Dino as free and open-source software, and Linux distributions package it.¹⁶ Flathub marks its download as Free as well.⁸

Is Dino safe for private messages?

With OMEMO or OpenPGP enabled, Dino’s site says the server administrator cannot read the messages.¹ Version 0.5 enables OMEMO by default.² Release 0.5.1, dated 15 November 2025, is a maintenance update with bug fixes.⁴ Confirm encryption is on in both apps before you treat a chat as private.

Does Dino work on iPhone?

Dino is an XMPP app for Linux, and the package list also includes FreeBSD and OpenBSD.³⁶ That list does not include an iPhone build. A different XMPP app can still join the same network. Dino’s notes give Conversations as one app that can place an encrypted video call with Dino.⁷

Can I use Dino on two computers?

You can move one setup to a new computer. Quit Dino, then move ~/.local/share/dino.⁵ Do not run two copies of that same folder. The FAQ says an OMEMO key works on one client only, and copying it wrongly makes OMEMO stop working.⁵ Give the second computer its own setup. It can still fetch history from the server.⁸