Conversation tools
Text messages, replies, mentions, @Everyone and emoji reactions. Reaction details show who reacted without permanently filling the chat with names.
Free PHP group chat
Features for a private self-hosted community
SelfHostedChat combines everyday group-chat features with readable PHP source code and storage on your own server.
Profiles and roles
Public display names, optional profile photos, administrator and moderator roles, account blocking and account removal.
Photos and video
Share images and supported video from the chat. Media stays with your installation rather than being sent to a hosted chat provider.
PWA and push notifications
Install the chat as a web app on supported devices. Users can choose all messages, only mentions and replies, or no push notifications.
Administration and moderation
Manage password-reset requests, roles, account access and IP blocks. Moderators deliberately receive fewer administrative capabilities than the owner.
Readable PHP source
No licence check, activation server or encoded PHP. Adapt wording, styling and behaviour for your own community.
Check your server first
The core chat needs PHP 8.1+, PDO SQLite, fileinfo and GD. Video adds FFmpeg and FFprobe.