Matrix AlternativesInstant Messengers & Group Chat Apps like Matrix
Matrix is described as 'Defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control' and is a very popular instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Matrix for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, Android and iPhone apps. The best Matrix alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Matrix are Telegram, Element, Discord and Pidgin.
filter to find the best alternatives
Matrix alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Group Chat Apps or Encrypted Chat Apps you can filter on that. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Matrix.- Instant Messenger
- Free • Open Source
- 219 Signal alternatives
An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Flathub
- Ubuntu
- Debian
Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Matrix
- 294 Telegram alternatives
Maximize your messaging experience with efficient communication, speedy delivery, and optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats. Engage in unlimited channels and groups up to 200,000 members. Enhance chat management and media sharing with Telegram Premium and its exclusive benefits. All core features remain free.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
- International
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- Apple Watch
- Android Auto
- Linux Mobile
- Android Wear
- PortableApps.com
- FreeBSD
- Apple Car Play
Comments about Telegram as an Alternative to Matrix
Most Recent CommentEpicLPerTelegram is not a self-hosted solution, but overall a good platform.
alternativepun3nTelegram is not an open standard for decentralized communication. It's just a centralized messaging app from a private company.
Telegram is neither encrypted nor open source
- 301 Element alternatives
Provides secure collaboration with end-to-end encryption, supporting chat, voice, and video calls. Available on all major platforms, it enables digital sovereignty with a decentralized design and interoperability through bridges to systems like Slack and Teams. Includes enterprise-grade SaaS.
License model
- Free Personal • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Matrix.org
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- Cloudron
Comments about Element as an Alternative to Matrix
Most Recent CommentElement is not an alternative to Matrix, it's a client for Matrix.
Element uses Matrix protocol, so it is a client to login to my Matrix account. Element is not an alternative to Matrix
Element is matrix homeserver and client not an alternative.
- 188 Discord alternatives
An integrated platform for text and voice communications. Offers tailored channels for different topics, customizable moderation tools, low latency for fluency, and managed user roles for optimal community facilitation.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Snapcraft
- Epic Games Store
- Flathub
- Electron
- Playstation
- Xbox
Comments about Discord as an Alternative to Matrix
EpicLPerDiscord is not self-hosted and no real alternative to Matrix since it's an "all in one" solution, neither just a client nor protocol.
kaspianNot privacy focused, not encrypted. Slow.
- 122 Pidgin alternatives
Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log into accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on XMPP and sitting in an IRC channel at the same time.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
Top Pidgin Features
- 252 WhatsApp alternatives
Exchange messages without SMS fees using this app for iPhone, Android and desktop, featuring group chats, multimedia sharing, and video calls. The app requires an internet connection and the latest version for optimal functionality.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Auto
- Android Wear
- Apple Car Play
- iPad
Top WhatsApp Features
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Rust
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- GitHub
- 46 I2P alternatives
The I2P network provides strong privacy protections for communication over the Internet. Many activities that would risk your privacy on the public Internet can be conducted anonymously inside I2P.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- BSD
It is the brand new, and fastest ever, Matrix client. It is for personal and community use, and will support enterprise functionality later this year.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- 128 Mattermost alternatives
Mattermost is a secure, open source platform for communication, collaboration, and workflow orchestration across tools and teams.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- JavaScript
- Go (Programming Language)
- Cloudron
- 51 Hyphanet alternatives
Hyphanet (former Freenet) is free software which lets you anonymously share files, browse and publish "freesites".
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
- International
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
Hyphanet Features
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Android
- F-Droid
Signal is not an open standard for decentralized communication. It's a messaging app, a secure messaging protocol, a non-profit foundation and it's open source too. But it's completely centralistic by design.