README.md
April 21, 2026 ยท View on GitHub
Spark

Spark is an Open Source, cross-platform IM client optimized for businesses and organizations.
- Group Chat
- In-line Spell Checking
- End-to-end (E2E) Message Encryption with OTR.
- Tabbed Conversations
- File Transfer
- Screen Capture Sharing
- Message translations.
Combined with the Openfire server, Spark is the easiest and best alternative to using unsecure public IM networks.
Spark - an Ignite Realtime community project.
Resources
- Translation: https://explore.transifex.com/igniterealtime/spark/
- Documentation: https://www.igniterealtime.org/projects/spark/documentation.jsp
- Community: https://discourse.igniterealtime.org/c/spark
- Bug Tracker: https://igniterealtime.atlassian.net/browse/SPARK
- Nightly Builds: https://www.igniterealtime.org/downloads/nightly_spark.jsp
- XMPP compliance: https://xmpp.org/software/spark/
Install
Download the last release from the GitHub releases page
or nightly build with the latest changes.
For Windows, if you are not sure, if it's recommended to download the spark_*-with-jre-amd64.exe that has bundled JRE.
Screenshots



Bug Reporting
Only a few users have access for filling bugs in the tracker. New users should:
- Create a Discourse account
- Login to a Discourse account
- Click on the New Topic button
- Choose the Spark Dev category and provide a detailed description of the bug.
Please search for your issues in the bug tracker before reporting.
Run from sources
git clone https://github.com/igniterealtime/Spark.git
mvn verify
cd Spark/core
mvn exec:java
To run from an IDE execute the Main class org.jivesoftware.Spark and specify VM option -Ddebug.mode=true.
- Set up IDE with the source:
- Plugin development guide
- Spark Development Forum
Ignite Realtime
Ignite Realtime is an Open Source community composed of end-users and developers around the world who are interested in applying innovative, open-standards-based Real Time Collaboration to their businesses and organizations. We're aimed at disrupting proprietary, non-open standards-based systems and invite you to participate in what's already one of the biggest and most active Open Source communities.