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Converse.js vs Session

A side-by-side editorial comparison of Converse.js and Session — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

Converse.js vs Session: at a glance

FeatureConverse.jsSession
SectorCommsComms
Velocity score2.55.0
Sparks · 30d00
Top themesxmpp, omemo-encryption, e2e-usability, browser-clientprivate messaging, post-quantum, session pro, community funded
Last editorial update11d ago1d ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is Converse.js?

Converse.js 14.0.1 fixes OMEMO:2 group decryption broken by Chromium 153.

Converse.js shipped 14.0.0 in June with OMEMO:2, the current revision of XMPP's end-to-end encryption, plus fixes that make encryption state and errors visible. 14.0.1 in October fixes OMEMO:2 group messages that stopped decrypting in Chromium 153, a bug that also skipped a sender check.

Read the full Converse.js trajectory →

What is Session?

Session ships new app versions and node upgrades while Pro stays on hold.

Session's 2026 started with a funding scare, then community support restored its runway in June. Session Pro reached a beta in app stores in September before its launch was paused in October during talks with an allied privacy ecosystem. Since then the work is infrastructure: lighter Session Node software, an update on Protocol v2, and on November 9 new iOS, Android and Desktop releases with further voluntary node upgrades and progress on a unified client.

Read the full Session trajectory →

Converse.js vs Session: editorial side-by-side

C2.5

Converse.js 14.0.1 fixes OMEMO:2 group decryption broken by Chromium 153.

◆ Current state

Converse.js shipped 14.0.0 in June with OMEMO:2, the current revision of XMPP's end-to-end encryption, plus fixes that make encryption state and errors visible. 14.0.1 in October fixes OMEMO:2 group messages that stopped decrypting in Chromium 153, a bug that also skipped a sender check.

◆ Where it's heading

The project is in a stabilisation phase on the 14 line, with encryption correctness as the main concern. Releases are months apart.

◆ Prediction

Expect further 14.0.x patches for encryption and browser compatibility; no next major is signalled.

S
Session
COMMS
5.0

Session ships new app versions and node upgrades while Pro stays on hold.

◆ Current state

Session's 2026 started with a funding scare, then community support restored its runway in June. Session Pro reached a beta in app stores in September before its launch was paused in October during talks with an allied privacy ecosystem. Since then the work is infrastructure: lighter Session Node software, an update on Protocol v2, and on November 9 new iOS, Android and Desktop releases with further voluntary node upgrades and progress on a unified client.

◆ Where it's heading

With Pro paused, Session is spending its effort on the network and the client codebase: lighter nodes, Protocol v2 with forward secrecy and post-quantum encryption, and one client for all platforms. Monetization waits on the outside talks.

◆ Prediction

Expect a Protocol v2 alpha or the unified client to be the next visible release; Pro's timing depends on talks the entries do not detail.

Alternatives to Converse.js and Session

Other Comms products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either Converse.js or Session.

See all Converse.js alternatives → · See all Session alternatives →

Recent activity from Converse.js and Session

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 4d agoSessionDevelopment Update - New Releases and Session Node Upgrades
  2. 26d agoSessionSmaller nodes, stronger encryption: Oxen 11.7, Storage Server 2.12 and Session Router 1.1
  3. 27d agoConverse.jsRelease 14.0.1 (2026-10-17)
  4. 1mo agoSessionSession Protocol v2: An Update on PFS, Post-Quantum and Linked Devices
  5. 1mo agoSessionSession is taking part in Octant's Epoch 13 privacy round
  6. 1mo agoSessionDevelopment Update - Stability Fixes and Network Improvements
  7. 2mo agoSessionSession Pro beta submitted to app stores
  8. 4mo agoConverse.jsOMEMO:2 encryption support ships in Converse 14 ⚡
  9. 4mo agoConverse.jsOMEMO bundle self-healing and new PubSub API methods
  10. 4mo agoConverse.jslibomemo.js dependency bump
  11. 4mo agoConverse.jsclient-compress replaced with native browser APIs
  12. 4mo agoConverse.jsFirst beta carrying the OMEMO usability fixes

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Converse.js and Session?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Session is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 2.5), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is Converse.js better than Session?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Session is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 2.5), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Comms products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to Converse.js?

Top Converse.js alternatives in Comms are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Converse.js alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/converse-js for the full list with editorial commentary on each.

What are the best alternatives to Session?

Top Session alternatives in Comms are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Session alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/session for the full list with editorial commentary on each.