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mautrix-whatsapp vs Spectrum 2: catalog facts
mautrix-whatsapp	Spectrum 2
Best for: Matrix users who want their WhatsApp conversations in the same client	Best for: Server operators who want to connect users across different instant messaging networks
Free Free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 licence.	Free Free and open source.
Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Brings WhatsApp chats into any Matrix client Actively maintained with regular releases All 4 strengths for mautrix-whatsapp Brings WhatsApp chats into any Matrix client Actively maintained with regular releases Docker setup available Thorough documentation	Bridges users on different IM networks Runs on your own server All 3 strengths for Spectrum 2 Bridges users on different IM networks Runs on your own server Actively maintained code base
Requires your own Matrix homeserver Needs a WhatsApp account and depends on an unofficial client library	Server software that needs setup and an existing messaging server Little end-user documentation on the homepage
Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Open source	Open source
License: AGPL-3.0	License: GPL-3.0
Account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Needs internet	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for mautrix-whatsapp go.mau.fi/mautrix-whatsapp github.com/mautrix/whatsapp Catalog checked September 24, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Spectrum 2 spectrum.im github.com/SpectrumIM/spectrum2 Catalog checked October 2, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.