Voice chat is a crucial component of the FiveM roleplay experience. The ability to communicate effectively, immersively, and with minimal latency can make or break a server. If you’re setting up a FiveM server, you’ve likely come across the three most popular voice solutions: SaltyChat, TokoVoip, and Mumble. But which one is the best fit for your server? Let’s dive deep into each of these plugins, compare their features, and help you make an informed choice.
ToC
What Are SaltyChat, TokoVoip, and Mumble?
Before we jump into the comparison, here’s a quick overview of these plugins:
- SaltyChat: A modern voice chat solution for FiveM that integrates seamlessly with TeamSpeak. It’s known for its advanced audio features and robust performance. Link to Saltychat
- TokoVoip: One of the older and widely used FiveM voice solutions. It also relies on TeamSpeak but requires additional setup and configuration. Link toTokoVoip
- Mumble: A standalone, open-source voice chat platform that works directly with FiveM without relying on third-party applications like TeamSpeak. It is already built in so you don’t need any third-party applications here :)
Features Comparison
Let’s break down these plugins based on several key factors:
1. Audio Quality
- SaltyChat: Offers crystal-clear audio quality with advanced features like 3D positional audio and radio effects. Its integration with TeamSpeak ensures high fidelity and low latency.
- TokoVoip: While reliable, TokoVoip’s audio quality can sometimes be inconsistent, especially during high server load. Positional audio is available but not as refined as SaltyChat.
- Mumble: Audio quality is decent, but not on par with TeamSpeak-based solutions. Mumble’s built-in positional audio can feel less natural compared to SaltyChat or TokoVoip.
Winner: SaltyChat
2. Ease of Setup
- SaltyChat: Requires TeamSpeak installation and configuration. While the documentation is comprehensive, the setup can be challenging for beginners.
- TokoVoip: Similar to SaltyChat, it depends on TeamSpeak. The plugin itself is relatively simple, but users often encounter issues with outdated TeamSpeak versions or configurations.
- Mumble: The easiest to set up, as it does not require third-party applications. Mumble runs directly on your server and is beginner-friendly.
Winner: Mumble (no software needed, beside FiveM)
3. Performance and Resource Usage
- SaltyChat: Well-optimized for performance. Its reliance on TeamSpeak offloads some of the processing, reducing the load on your FiveM server.
- TokoVoip: Slightly heavier on resources compared to SaltyChat due to older architecture and less optimization.
- Mumble: Can be resource-intensive since everything runs directly on the FiveM server. For larger servers, this can lead to performance bottlenecks.
Winner: SaltyChat
4. Integration with FiveM
- SaltyChat: Excellent FiveM integration with support for advanced features like radio channels, phone calls, and seamless in-game voice proximity detection.
- TokoVoip: Limited integration compared to SaltyChat. Some features like radios are available, but require additional scripts or customization.
- Mumble: Natively supported by FiveM, making integration straightforward. However, it lacks some of the advanced features that TeamSpeak-based solutions provide.
Winner: SaltyChat
5. Community Support
- SaltyChat: Growing in popularity, with an active community and frequent updates.
- TokoVoip: While once a dominant solution, TokoVoip’s community has dwindled as newer options like SaltyChat have taken the lead.
- Mumble: Strong support due to its open-source nature, but the FiveM-specific community is smaller compared to SaltyChat.
Winner: SaltyChat
6. Cost
- SaltyChat: Requires a TeamSpeak server, which can incur costs depending on your server size.
- TokoVoip: Also requires a TeamSpeak server, so the costs are similar to SaltyChat.
- Mumble: Completely free and open-source. You won’t need any additional services or software.
Winner: Mumble, totally free, no Teamspeak-Server needed
Pros and Cons
SaltyChat
Pros:
- High-quality audio with advanced features.
- Excellent FiveM integration.
- Reliable performance.
Cons:
- Requires TeamSpeak, adding complexity and cost.
TokoVoip
Pros:
- Long-standing solution with decent features.
- Works well for smaller servers.
Cons:
- Outdated compared to SaltyChat.
- Setup issues and less community support.
Mumble
Pros:
- Free and open-source.
- Simple to set up.
- No reliance on third-party applications.
Cons:
- Limited features compared to SaltyChat.
- Resource-heavy for large servers.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?
The best voice chat plugin for your FiveM server depends on your specific needs:
Here’s a comparison table for SaltyChat, TokoVoip, and Mumble based on the discussed features:
Feature | SaltyChat | TokoVoip | Mumble |
---|---|---|---|
Audio Quality | High-quality, 3D positional audio, radio effects | Decent, but inconsistent under load | Decent, but less refined than others |
Ease of Setup | Requires TeamSpeak setup, moderate difficulty | Requires TeamSpeak, prone to issues | Simple, standalone setup |
Performance | Optimized, low server resource usage | Slightly resource-heavy, less optimized | Resource-heavy, impacts server performance |
Integration with FiveM | Excellent, supports advanced features | Limited, basic features available | Basic integration, lacks advanced features |
Community Support | Active, growing, frequent updates | Declining community, outdated | Strong due to open-source nature, but smaller for FiveM |
Cost | Requires TeamSpeak server (paid) | Requires TeamSpeak server (paid) | Free and open-source |
Best Use Case | High-quality roleplay servers | Legacy setups or small servers | Budget-friendly or small communities |
Summary of Comparison
- Best Audio Quality: SaltyChat
- Easiest to Set Up: Mumble
- Best for Performance: SaltyChat
- Most Cost-Effective: Mumble
- Go with SaltyChat if you want the best audio quality, advanced features, and seamless integration. It’s the top choice for serious roleplay servers.
- Choose Mumble if you’re looking for a free, easy-to-set-up solution for a smaller or budget-conscious server.
- Consider TokoVoip only if you’re already familiar with it or running a legacy setup.
Final Thoughts of me
Voice chat plays a critical role in creating an immersive FiveM experience. While all three plugins—SaltyChat, TokoVoip, and Mumble—have their merits, SaltyChat stands out as the most polished and reliable choice for modern servers. However, Mumble’s simplicity and cost-effectiveness make it an attractive option for smaller communities or those just starting out.
By weighing the pros and cons and considering your server’s specific needs, you can select the perfect voice chat solution to elevate your FiveM roleplay experience.