What Is an XMPP/Jabber Server and How Do You Use a Public One Like Jabbim?
An XMPP/Jabber server is the piece of infrastructure that hosts your messaging account and routes messages between you and everyone else on the XMPP network. Jabbim is a free public XMPP/Jabber server you can register on, then connect to with any XMPP client you choose. You use it by creating an account, pointing a client at the server, and optionally adding gateways (transports) so you can also reach people on networks like Telegram, ICQ, or Facebook. This article explains how the server fits into the picture and walks through getting connected.
What an XMPP/Jabber server actually does
XMPP (the protocol formerly known as Jabber) is an open messaging standard. A server is the hub in that network:
- Hosts your account — your address looks like
[email protected], where the part after the@is the server. - Routes messages — when you message someone on a different server, your server talks to theirs. This is why XMPP users on different providers can chat with each other.
- Stores your data — Jabbim offers up to 1GB of data storage per the site.
- Bridges to other networks — through transports/gateways, the server lets you reach contacts on non-XMPP services.
Because XMPP is an open protocol, the server and the client are separate choices. Jabbim's own pitch is exactly this: "Open protocol — choose your client yourself."
Why people pick a public server like Jabbim
The site lists several reasons users choose it:
| Feature | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Open protocol | Pick any XMPP client; you're not locked to one app |
| Cross-network chat | Talk to users of Google Talk, LiveJournal Talk, Gizmo, and other XMPP services |
| No ads, no spam | Cleaner experience |
| Mobile use | Connect from a phone and pay for data instead of SMS |
| Transports/gateways | AIM, Yahoo!, Skype, ICQ, Twitter, Facebook, and Telegram |
| Extra services | Weather forecast, live community support in a multi-user conference, and local services for Czech, Polish, and Slovak users (timetables, dictionaries, SMS gateways, TV schedules) |
Jabbim also states it uses encryption to protect messages and describes itself as among the world's most reliable XMPP/Jabber servers.
How to register and connect
- Create an account. Go to the Jabbim site and use the Register option. You'll choose a username, which becomes your address (
[email protected]). - Pick a client. The site offers a web client for browser-based use, plus downloads. It specifically points to Pidgin and Psi+ as clients — Psi+ is the one it recommends for the Tor setup below.
- Log in. Enter your full Jabbim address and password in the client. The client connects to the Jabbim server and pulls your contact list.
- Add contacts and chat. Add other XMPP addresses (on Jabbim or any other XMPP server) and start messaging.
- Add gateways if you need them. In your client, use service discovery to find available transports, then register for the one you want. For example, to reach Telegram: in service discovery, register your phone number in international format at
telegram.jabbim.com.
Expected result: after step 3 you're online and can message any XMPP user; after step 5 you can also message contacts on the bridged network.
Connecting over Tor (optional)
Jabbim supports connecting through Tor. The site gives this address and port:
- Onion host:
mrbenqxl345o4u7yaln25ayzz5ut6ab3kteulzqusinjdx6oh7obdlad.onion, port5222 - In your client, set a SOCKS5 proxy to
127.0.0.1with port9050(Tor client) or9150(Tor Browser), and use the onion hostname above. Psi+ is recommended for this.
Common issues and troubleshooting
- Certificate validation errors. The site notes that from September 30, 2021 you may have had trouble validating its certificate, and the fix is to update your client software — it names Pidgin and Psi+.
- Gateway registration fails. Make sure you're entering your phone number (for Telegram) in international format, and that you're registering through service discovery rather than adding it as a normal contact.
- Tor connection won't start. Confirm the SOCKS5 proxy port matches your setup —
9050for the Tor client,9150for Tor Browser — and that you're using the onion hostname, not the regular one.
Free vs. VIP
Jabbim states its services are free of charge. The site also has a VIP section with pages titled "How to become a sponsor?" and "What do I get in return?", and PayPal appears as a payment platform — so there is a sponsorship/VIP track alongside the free service. The site does not state VIP pricing on the pages referenced here, so check those pages directly if you want the current details.
Quick decision guide
- Choose Jabbim if you want a free public XMPP account, the freedom to pick your own client, and built-in gateways to networks like Telegram, ICQ, and Facebook.
- Look elsewhere if you need a provider with published uptime guarantees or you want a server outside the Czech/Polish/Slovak service focus — though the core XMPP chat itself is not region-limited.
To get started, register on the site, install Pidgin or Psi+, log in with your new @jabbim.com address, and add gateways through service discovery only if you need to reach other networks.