In a world dominated by centralized platforms, there’s a growing desire for alternatives that put users back in control of their data and online experience. One such project that’s been steadily gaining attention is Movim.

What is Movim?

Movim (short for My Open Virtual Identity Manager) is a free, open-source, decentralized social and communication platform built on top of the XMPP (Jabber) protocol. If you’ve ever used Facebook, Discord, or Slack, Movim will feel familiar—except it gives you something those services can’t: complete control and federation.

With Movim, you can:

  • Chat with friends and groups in real-time
  • Create and follow news streams, communities, and blog posts
  • Share files, images, and links
  • Host your own instance or join an existing one

Because it runs on XMPP, you’re not locked into Movim alone—you can talk to anyone on the wider XMPP network, including users on Conversations, Dino, Gajim, or other compatible apps.

Why Movim is Different

Most social platforms today are walled gardens. You sign up, agree to give away your data, and are trapped in their ecosystem. Movim breaks that mold:

  • Decentralized: You can choose a Movim server (called a pod) or run your own. No single company controls the network.
  • Federated: Like email, anyone can talk to anyone across the XMPP network, regardless of which server they’re on.
  • Privacy-focused: No hidden algorithms pushing ads or mining your personal information.
  • Open-source: Transparent code, developed by a community of volunteers, and free for anyone to use or improve.

Features at a Glance

  • 🗨️ Messaging & Group Chats – Full XMPP support with modern features like end-to-end encryption (via OMEMO).
  • 📰 News & Blog Feeds – Users and communities can publish articles, updates, and discussions.
  • 📷 Media Sharing – Upload and share files, images, and links easily.
  • 📱 Cross-Platform – Works in your browser, on Android (via PWA or third-party apps), and integrates with XMPP clients.
  • 🖥️ Self-Hosting – Run your own Movim pod and control your data completely.

Why You Should Try It

Movim isn’t trying to be the next Facebook or Twitter—it’s something different. It’s a bridge between instant messaging and social networking, all while being powered by free software and open standards.

If you care about:

  • Owning your online presence
  • Escaping data-hungry corporations
  • Supporting decentralized internet projects
  • Having a social space that values openness and freedom

…then Movim is worth exploring.

Getting Started

You can try Movim without installing anything by joining a public pod, such as: 👉 mov.im

Or, if you’re more tech-savvy, you can host your own pod with Docker or a VPS and join the wider network on your own terms.