Beta v0.9.3 Calls, Whisper and Android are here

Cove is a self-hosted, open-source chat platform with encrypted messaging, group calls and screen sharing. One Go binary, one config file, and your data never leaves your hardware.

Self-host in 5 minutes DownloadStar on GitHub
MIT licensedSelf-hostedAES-256-GCMGo + ReactWeb, desktop, AndroidNo tracking
Cove0.9.0
Search...Ctrl K
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launch-crewSara: ready to ship
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design-teamJo: Whisper for the keys?
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SaraOnline
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AmirIdle
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generalYou: see you at 6
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aliceOnline
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design-teamDesign discussions
Message #design-team
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Lounge3 in call - screen sharing
AES-256-GCMEncrypted before it leaves the client
GoBadgerDBWebRTCReactTypeScriptViteTailwind CSSKotlinAndroidDockerArgon2idAES-256-GCMAstro
Features

Everything a community needs. Nothing it does not.

Shipped today and used daily on web, desktop and Android.

Encrypted by default

Messages are AES-256-GCM encrypted in the client. Channel keys are wrapped by your master key and the database is encrypted at rest.

Meet at 6, bring the keys
7138 08 a9 032b6 41d b669
AES-256-GCMArgon2id KEKDEK at restper-channel keys

Whisper mode

Zero-persistence E2EE chats that exist only in memory and vanish with the session.

Room code is 4417 gone

Group calls and screen share

A built-in WebRTC SFU with DTLS-SRTP and embedded STUN/TURN. No third-party service.

SA
Sara
AM
Amir
JO
Jo
LE
Lea

One binary, one config

A Go server with BadgerDB and no external dependencies. Runs on a small VM or a spare mini PC.

$ ./cove-server
Cove v0.9 starting
ok database opened (encrypted at rest)
ok http + websocket listening on :4000
ok webrtc sfu ready, turn on :3478
ready. first account becomes owner

Admin and roles

Owner, admin and member roles. Invites, registration modes and an audit trail.

Owner everything
Admin invites, config
Member chat and calls

English, Persian, Arabic

Real translations with full right-to-left support.

HelloEN

Every platform

Web, Windows, macOS, Linux and native Android clients.

Web
Desktop
Android
How it works

You run the server. You hold the keys.

The server routes ciphertext and manages keys, so multi-device and recovery just work.

Your clientseals with AES-256-GCM
Your Cove serverroutes ciphertext, wraps keys
Membersdecrypt with the channel key
Honest by design. Cove is server-trusted, not end-to-end encrypted: the server you control sits inside the trust boundary, which is what makes multi-device and recovery work. When a conversation needs more, use Whisper, which is true zero-persistence E2EE.
Quick start

Self-host in minutes.

The first account you create becomes the server owner.

1RunStart with Docker or a single binary. mjn81/cove-server, mjn81/cove-webclient
2OpenVisit the web client and register. The first account becomes the owner.
3InvitePut it behind HTTPS and share invite links with your community.
Download

Server and clients for every platform.

Every build is open source and published with checksums.

Cove is in beta. Expect rough edges. Back up your data and master password, and report problems on GitHub.

Server

The Cove backend: API, WebSocket hub, WebRTC SFU and encrypted storage in one binary.

Windows (amd64)zip - 10 MBLinux (amd64)zip - 10 MBLinux (arm64)zip - 9 MBmacOS (Apple silicon)zip - 10 MBmacOS (Intel)zip - 10 MB

Desktop app

Native shell with calls and screen sharing. Connects to any Cove server.

Windowszip - 5 MBmacOS (universal)zip - 9 MBLinuxzip - 5 MBWeb clientin the compose stack

Mobile

Native Android client with calls and Whisper. iOS is on the roadmap.

Android APKapk - 60 MB
iOSon the roadmap
Latest release v0.9.3All releasesSource codeVerify with SHA256SUMS
Roadmap

Where Cove is going.

Built in the open. Propose and vote on GitHub.

Shipped
Available today
Encrypted messaging
Real-time delivery and presence
Channels, DMs and friends
Voice notes and emoji picker
Files, images and video messages
Group calls and screen sharing
+12 more
In progress
Being worked on right now
Markdown and link rendering
Complete Persian translations
UI performance
Text selection and copy
Connection quality indicator
Next
Privacy and media
Security settings tab
Secure link previews
Noise suppression and AGC controls
Opus and voice activity detection
Native video player
See the full roadmap
Documentation

Docs that take you from zero to running.

Setup, configuration, security, API reference and contributing guides.

Search the docsCtrl K
Open source

Built in the open, for its users.

Read the code, audit the crypto, send a pull request.

Like Cove? Give it a star.

A star is free, takes one second, and helps other communities find an open-source alternative they can host themselves.

Star on GitHub0
0GitHub stars
0Clients: web, desktop, Android
0Languages: EN, FA, AR
0%Percent open source
GitHub repositoryGood first issuesDiscussionsContributing guideMIT license
FAQ

Questions, answered.

Is Cove end-to-end encrypted?

Messages are encrypted in the client and stored encrypted, but the server you run manages channel keys, so it sits inside the trust boundary. Whisper chats are true zero-persistence end-to-end encrypted rooms.

What do I need to run it?

Any machine that runs Docker, or a single Go binary. A small VM is enough for a community. ffmpeg is optional and only used for video messages.

Does it work on an isolated network?

Yes. Set voice.mode to raw_udp for audio-only calls on an air-gapped LAN, with no STUN, TURN or internet access required.

What if I lose the master password?

The database cannot be recovered without it. Back it up with your data. It is generated on first start and written to config.toml.

Can servers talk to each other?

Not yet. Federation is on the long-term roadmap.

What does it cost?

Nothing. Cove is MIT licensed. You pay only for the hardware you run it on.

Ready to own your chat?

Spin up a Cove server and invite your community today.

Get started Read the docs