Alternatives to NeoChat

A KDE chat client for the Matrix network, available for Linux and Windows. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as NeoChat.

  • Element

    The reference Matrix client: end-to-end encrypted chat on a network you can host yourself.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSWebSelf-hosted

    Element is the reference Matrix client with full cross-signed encryption and clients on every major platform, but it uses more memory and is not KDE-native.

  • Nheko

    Use Matrix messaging in a native desktop interface.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Nheko is a native desktop Matrix client that adds macOS support, encrypted conversations and calling features, though its encryption implementation has not been audited.

  • Fractal

    A Matrix chat client for the GNOME desktop on Linux, written in Rust with GTK.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Fractal is a native Matrix client built with GTK for GNOME instead of KDE Plasma, and it runs on Linux only.

  • FluffyChat

    An open-source Matrix chat client with end-to-end encryption, spaces and optional UnifiedPush notifications.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxAndroidiOSWeb

    FluffyChat adds end-to-end encryption with key backups and runs on Android, iOS and the web as well as Linux, but drops Windows.

  • Cinny

    Chat on Matrix through a focused desktop client.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Cinny is a focused Matrix desktop client built with Tauri, running on Windows, macOS and Linux under the AGPL-3.0 license.

  • iamb

    A terminal Matrix client with Vim keybindings, windows and tabs.

    FreeOpen sourceCommand line

    iamb moves Matrix chat into the terminal with Vim keybindings, adding threads and end-to-end encryption but no graphical interface.

  • gomuks

    A Matrix chat client written in Go, with a web frontend and an optional server backend.

    FreeOpen sourceAndroidWebSelf-hostedCommand line

    gomuks moves Matrix chat to a web frontend with an optional server backend and Android wrapper, written in Go.

  • SchildiChat

    A family of Matrix messaging apps based on Element, with a more traditional messenger layout.

    FreeProprietaryAndroid

    SchildiChat is an Element-based Matrix client with a conventional messenger layout, listed for Android and not open source.

Also worth comparing

These listings name NeoChat as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Ement.el

    A Matrix chat client that runs inside GNU Emacs.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    NeoChat is a KDE Matrix client for Linux and Windows with spaces and polls, but it has no voice or video calls and incomplete end-to-end encryption support.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.