Synapse
A self-hosted Matrix homeserver, written in Python and Rust and maintained by Element.
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About Synapse
Synapse is the Matrix homeserver implementation maintained by Element. Matrix is an open standard for secure, interoperable real-time communication. Running Synapse gives you your own server for accounts, rooms and messages, and any Matrix client can connect to it.
Element's official deployment route is the Element Server Suite. ESS Community is the free edition for small and mid-sized non-commercial use, and ESS Pro is a paid edition for professional use. Synapse can also be installed and configured on its own. The source is under the AGPL, with a commercial license available from Element, and Element offers support only with a subscription.
Strengths
- Reference Matrix homeserver maintained by Element
- Works with any Matrix client
- Free ESS Community distribution for easier deployment
- Very active development
Limitations
- Running a homeserver takes server administration work
- No support from Element without a paid subscription
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree under the AGPL; Element sells commercial licenses, support subscriptions and ESS Pro.
- License
- AGPL-3.0
- Developer
- Element
- Platforms
- Self-hosted
- How it runs
- Self-hosted
- Best suited for
- Individuals and communities who want to host their own Matrix chat server
- Categories
- Messaging
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 2 sources on file.
Alternatives to Synapse
Compare allSoftware that can replace Synapse for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Tuwunel
A Matrix homeserver written in Rust, used instead of Synapse, and the successor to conduwuit.
Tuwunel is a lighter Rust Matrix homeserver under Apache-2.0 that works with existing clients and bridges, though some niche parts of the specification are missing.
Conduit
A lightweight Matrix homeserver written in Rust, shipped as a single binary with an embedded database.
Conduit is a Rust Matrix homeserver in a single binary with an embedded database and low requirements, but it is still in beta and missing some features.
Prosody
A lightweight open-source XMPP chat server written in Lua that you run yourself.
Prosody switches your self-hosted chat server to XMPP, written in Lua with simple setup and low resource use, and users need XMPP clients instead.
ejabberd
An open-source XMPP server, MQTT broker and SIP service written in Erlang.
ejabberd switches to an Erlang-based XMPP server that also offers MQTT and SIP and scales to millions of sessions, with a more complex setup.
Snikket
A self-hosted XMPP messaging service with apps, built for families, friends and small groups.
Snikket is a self-hosted XMPP service with its own apps, built for families and small groups rather than large organisations.
Synapse as an alternative
Listings that name Synapse as an alternative.
Tinode
An open-source instant messaging platform with a Go server you can host yourself and mobile and web clients.
Synapse is the reference Matrix homeserver under AGPL-3.0, federating with the wider Matrix network and working with any Matrix client instead of Tinode's own apps.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Element
The reference Matrix client: end-to-end encrypted chat on a network you can host yourself.
Matrix Hookshot
A self-hosted Matrix bot that bridges GitHub, GitLab, Jira, feeds and generic webhooks into rooms.
mautrix-whatsapp
A puppeting bridge that connects WhatsApp chats to a Matrix homeserver.
Sygnal
A self-hosted reference push gateway that relays Matrix notifications to Apple and Google push services.
FluffyChat
An open-source Matrix chat client with end-to-end encryption, spaces and optional UnifiedPush notifications.
Cinny
Chat on Matrix through a focused desktop client.
