Alternatives to Nheko
Use Matrix messaging in a native desktop interface. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Nheko
Use Matrix messaging in a native desktop interface.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Nheko.
Element
The reference Matrix client: end-to-end encrypted chat on a network you can host yourself.
Element is the reference Matrix client with cross-signed device verification and clients for every platform, though it is heavier on memory than a native desktop app.
Cinny
Chat on Matrix through a focused desktop client.
Cinny is another focused Matrix desktop client for Windows, macOS and Linux, built with Tauri and licensed under AGPL-3.0 instead of GPL-3.0.
FluffyChat
An open-source Matrix chat client with end-to-end encryption, spaces and optional UnifiedPush notifications.
FluffyChat is a friendly Matrix client for Linux, Android, iOS and web with encrypted key backups and UnifiedPush, though its calls are still experimental.
Pidgin
A chat client that signs in to several networks at once, supporting XMPP, IRC, Matrix and more through plugins.
Pidgin can reach Matrix through plugins while also signing in to XMPP, IRC and other networks, but its interface is dated and releases are infrequent.
NeoChat
A KDE chat client for the Matrix network, available for Linux and Windows.
NeoChat is a KDE Matrix client for Linux and Windows with polls and stickers, but it has no voice or video calls and incomplete encryption.
Fractal
A Matrix chat client for the GNOME desktop on Linux, written in Rust with GTK.
Fractal is a Rust and GTK Matrix client for GNOME that installs easily from Flathub but runs on Linux only.
gomuks
A Matrix chat client written in Go, with a web frontend and an optional server backend.
gomuks replaces the native desktop interface with a web frontend and optional server backend that can run bouncer-style.
iamb
A terminal Matrix client with Vim keybindings, windows and tabs.
iamb moves Matrix chat to the terminal with Vim keybindings, threads, spaces and end-to-end encryption, but no graphical interface.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Nheko as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Ement.el
A Matrix chat client that runs inside GNU Emacs.
Nheko is an open-source native desktop Matrix client with encrypted conversations and calling features, though the project says its encryption has not been audited.
SchildiChat
A family of Matrix messaging apps based on Element, with a more traditional messenger layout.
Nheko is a native open-source Matrix desktop client for Windows, macOS and Linux, though its encryption has not been audited.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
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.
Signal
An end-to-end encrypted messenger for calls and chats on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, run by a nonprofit.
Wire
End-to-end encrypted messaging, calls and file sharing for organisations.
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.
