Alternatives to Fractal
A Matrix chat client for the GNOME desktop on Linux, written in Rust with GTK. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Fractal
A Matrix chat client for the GNOME desktop on Linux, written in Rust with GTK.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Fractal.
Element
The reference Matrix client: end-to-end encrypted chat on a network you can host yourself.
Element is the reference Matrix client with desktop, web and mobile apps, bridges and cross-signed verification, but it is heavy on memory.
Nheko
Use Matrix messaging in a native desktop interface.
Nheko is a native GPL desktop Matrix client for Windows, macOS and Linux with encrypted chats and calling, though its encryption is unaudited.
NeoChat
A KDE chat client for the Matrix network, available for Linux and Windows.
NeoChat is a native Matrix client for KDE Plasma on Linux and Windows, but it lacks calls, threads and complete encryption support.
Cinny
Chat on Matrix through a focused desktop client.
Cinny is an AGPL Matrix desktop client with Tauri packages for Windows, macOS and Linux, rather than a GTK app.
FluffyChat
An open-source Matrix chat client with end-to-end encryption, spaces and optional UnifiedPush notifications.
FluffyChat is an open-source Matrix client for Linux, Android, iOS and web with encrypted key backups and spaces, instead of a GNOME-native app.
gomuks
A Matrix chat client written in Go, with a web frontend and an optional server backend.
gomuks is a Go Matrix client with a web frontend and optional bouncer-style server backend, plus desktop and Android wrappers.
iamb
A terminal Matrix client with Vim keybindings, windows and tabs.
iamb moves Matrix chat into the terminal with Vim keybindings, threads and spaces, with no graphical interface and pre-1.0 releases.
Ement.el
A Matrix chat client that runs inside GNU Emacs.
Ement.el runs Matrix chat inside GNU Emacs using buffers and keybindings, suited to people who already work in Emacs.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Fractal as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
SchildiChat
A family of Matrix messaging apps based on Element, with a more traditional messenger layout.
Fractal is a GTK Matrix client for the GNOME desktop, open source under GPL-3.0 and available on Linux only.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Synapse
A self-hosted Matrix homeserver, written in Python and Rust and maintained by Element.
Conduit
A lightweight Matrix homeserver written in Rust, shipped as a single binary with an embedded database.
Tuwunel
A Matrix homeserver written in Rust, used instead of Synapse, and the successor to conduwuit.
Matrix Hookshot
A self-hosted Matrix bot that bridges GitHub, GitLab, Jira, feeds and generic webhooks into rooms.
Dino
Modern desktop XMPP client with OMEMO encryption and calls.
