Spectrum 2

Open-source instant messaging transport across different IM networks

About Spectrum 2

Spectrum 2 is an open-source instant messaging transport that lets people chat together even when they use different IM networks. Acting as a transport layer between users and their chosen networks, it bridges conversations so contacts on separate services can communicate in one place. You download Spectrum and set it up on your own server, keeping control of the gateway that connects your users across networks.

Spectrum 2 website preview

Live preview of spectrum.im via the WordPress mShots service — it can take a few seconds to generate on a first visit.

Spectrum 2: strengths & things to check

Strengths

Completely free to use — this directory lists no paid plan for it.
Covers instant messaging, xmpp transport, open source, self hosted — see the focus areas listed in its key facts.
Has 6 close alternatives in the same category on this page, so switching or comparing is easy.

Things to check

Free tools can change their model or shut down — avoid locking critical work into it without an export path.
Current plan prices are not listed here (they change too often to print reliably) — confirm the exact price on the official site.
It is one of 565 tools in the Communication & Collaboration category here — compare it against the alternatives below before you commit.

Derived from this listing's own data (pricing model, focus areas and category) — not a hands-on review score.

Spectrum 2 pricing

Pricing model	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Free access	Yes — fully free
Current plan prices	Listed on the official site — prices change, so this directory links out instead of printing a number that may already be stale.
Official site	spectrum.im

Spectrum 2 key facts

Category: Communication & Collaboration
Pricing: Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas: instant messaging, xmpp transport, open source, self hosted
Official site: spectrum.im

Spectrum 2 FAQ

How much does Spectrum 2 cost?

Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. Current plans and prices are listed on the official site (spectrum.im).

What is Spectrum 2 used for?

Open-source instant messaging transport across different IM networks Its focus areas in the Communication & Collaboration category: instant messaging, xmpp transport, open source, self hosted.

Where can I try Spectrum 2?

On its official site, spectrum.im — the Visit Official Site button above goes straight there.

Spectrum 2 vs alternatives

	Spectrum 2	Akkoma	Apache OpenMeetings	b1gMail
Pricing	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas	instant messaging, xmpp transport, open source, self hosted	fediverse, activitypub, microblogging, self hosted, open source	video conferencing, whiteboard, groupware, self hosted, open source	webmail, self hosted, php, open source
Official site	spectrum.im	akkoma.social	openmeetings.apache.org	b1gmail.eu
Directory status	Listed	Listed	Listed	Listed

Side-by-side from each listing's own directory data. Full alternative cards are below.

About the Communication & Collaboration category

Chat, video meetings, and messaging apps that keep teams connected. The Communication & Collaboration category on Tools Hub currently lists 565 tools. Alongside Spectrum 2, it includes Sympa, DialLink, MyBB, Snikket.

FreeCommunication & Collaborationinstant-messagingxmpp-transportopen-sourceself-hosted

Alternatives to Spectrum 2

Tools in the same Communication & Collaboration category that share focus areas with Spectrum 2 — worth comparing before you commit:

Communication & Collaboration

Akkoma

Magically expressive federated social media server software

Freefediverseactivitypubmicrobloggingself-hosted

Communication & Collaboration

Apache OpenMeetings

Open-source video conferencing, whiteboard and groupware from Apache

Freevideo-conferencingwhiteboardgroupwareself-hosted

Communication & Collaboration

b1gMail

Self-hosted webmail solution that runs on ordinary PHP webspace

Freewebmailself-hostedphpopen-source

Communication & Collaboration

Conduit

Lightweight open-source Matrix chat server in a single binary

Freematrixchat-serverself-hostedopen-source

Communication & Collaboration

Cypht

All your email, from all your accounts, in one place

Freewebmailemail-clientself-hostedopen-source

Communication & Collaboration

Dovecot

The secure, high performance email server

Freemiumemailimapmail-serverself-hosted

More in Communication & Collaboration

Comparing tools in the Communication & Collaboration category? These related listings are worth a look: Sympa — Mailing list management software for large lists; DialLink — Cloud business phone system with AI voice agents and messaging; MyBB — Free and open source forum software for online communities.