Stoat

Stoat is an open-source, self-hosted web app and server that provides a group chat environment featuring servers, channels, and voice communication, designed for users who require full control over their data and communication infrastructure. The software is deployed as a server-side application with a corresponding web client, allowing administrators to host their own messaging ecosystem.

Built to comply with EU privacy laws, the platform operates without advertisements or data mining. It is intended for communities and organizations that need a private space for real-time interaction. The system is managed via a backend composed of several specialized services and daemons that handle everything from user presence to file storage and API requests.

Key features

• Server and channel organization for structured group communication
• Integrated voice chat capabilities for real-time audio
• Built-in moderation tools for community management
• WebSocket event server for real-time messaging updates
• Dedicated file server for managing and serving assets
• Push notification daemon for delivering mobile alerts
• Tenor proxy server for integrated GIF searching
• Automated data cleanup via a timed daemon server
• S3 compatible storage and encryption subroutines for files

The backend is written in Rust and utilizes a distributed architecture to ensure stability. It relies on MongoDB for primary data storage, Redis for caching, and RabbitMQ for message queuing. The system is split into several crates, including a REST API server called Delta and a WebSocket server called Bonfire. It also includes a proxy server called January and a specialized configuration system that allows for overrides via TOML files. For deployment, it supports Docker and provides a Nix shell for environment activation.

Stoat is a privacy-focused communication platform for teams and communities seeking a self-managed chat service.