Self-Hosted Matrix Alternatives

There are many alternatives to Matrix as a self-hosted solution if you are looking for a replacement. The best Self-Hosted alternative is Element. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Element or Zulip. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Matrix and many of them are available as a self-hosted solution so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Self-Hosted alternatives to Matrix are Rocket.Chat, XMPP, Mirotalk and Commet.

filter to find the best alternatives

Matrix alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps, but if you're looking for Instant Messengers or Video Calling Apps you can filter on that. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Matrix.
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Alternatives list

  1. Element icon

    Element

     802 likes

    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.

    317 Element alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
     
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    3
    Element vs Matrix Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    15

    Element is not an alternative to Matrix, it's a client for Matrix.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    Element is matrix homeserver and client not an alternative.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    Element uses Matrix protocol, so it is a client to login to my Matrix account. Element is not an alternative to Matrix

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Element is Free Personal and Open SourceMatrix is Free and Open Source
  2. Mattermost icon

    Mattermost

     254 likes

    Self-hosted collaboration platform featuring chat, workflow automation, voice and video calling, screen sharing, AI capabilities, broad third-party integration support, cross-platform apps, compatibility with Slack imports, and flexible deployment options for secure team communication.

    138 Mattermost alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • JavaScript
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    Mattermost screenshot 1
     
  4. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     268 likes

    Threaded group conversations combine live and asynchronous messaging, separating topics for organized collaboration, supporting open-source, cloud, and self-hosted deployments, secure communication with encryption, and multi-platform access for diverse teams.

    233 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Virola Messenger icon
    Virola Messenger

    Secure self-hosted platform unites private and group messaging, voice and video meetings, meeting recording, file transfer, issue tracking, screen sharing, remote control, and flexible permissions for on-premises collaboration in...

    https://virola.io
    Learn More
  6. Rocket.Chat icon

    Rocket.Chat

     160 likes

    Open-source chat server supporting real-time group, direct, and private messaging, video calls, file sharing, helpdesk chat, API integrations, desktop notifications, emojis, LDAP authentication, cross-platform apps, and customizable extensions for teams.

    148 Rocket.Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    Rocket.Chat screenshot 1
     
  7. XMPP icon

    XMPP

     23 likes

    XMPP, or Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol, is an open standard for instant messaging and real-time communication, allowing for message exchanges between any two entities on the Internet. It's known for its decentralized and extensible nature.

    38 XMPP alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Windows Phone
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    1
    XMPP vs Matrix Comments
    alternativepun3n
    Positive
    0

    XMPP is one of the only real alternatives to Matrix on this list. It is an open standard for decentralized communication. There are many differences between the Protokoll, but they aim to do similar things.

    • XMPP is Free and Open SourceMatrix is also Free and Open Source
  10. Commet icon

    Commet

     6 likes

    Commet is a client for Matrix focused on providing a feature rich experience while maintaining a simple interface. The goal is to build a secure, privacy respecting app without compromising on the features you have come to expect from a modern chat client.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flatpak
    Commet screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Commet vs Matrix Comments
    GeminiDomino
    Negative
    0

    Commet is a client for matrix, not an alternative

    • Commet is Free and Open SourceMatrix is also Free and Open Source
  11. Strafe icon

    Strafe

     8 likes

    Open source chat platform offering end-to-end encrypted messaging, uncensored communication, markdown support, file sharing, self-hosting, multi-device sync, server management, voice or video calls, no data tracking, transparent codebase, and community-driven development.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Strafe screenshot 1
     
  12. Conduit Chat Server icon

    Conduit Chat Server

     7 likes

    Conduit is a simple, fast and reliable chat server powered by Matrix. Conduit is an alternative to Synapse and tries to be lightweight and easy to install, but it is still in development.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Linux
    • Debian
    • Nix Package Manager
    • Docker
    • Docker Hub
    Conduit Chat Server screenshot 1
     
  13. Nerimity icon

    Nerimity

     13 likes

    Open-source chat platform providing community-focused group messaging, video calls, profile customization with animated avatars, custom emojis, tags, post creation, discovery of communities, and full source code access on GitHub. Entirely donation-funded.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    Profile Interface [PC - 2025]
     
  14. Flotilla icon

    Flotilla

     8 likes

    Decentralized chat platform built on the nostr protocol with support for multi-group communities, event calendars, threads, private messaging, web of trust, customizable access controls, monetization via zaps, full privacy, and white-label options for branding.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    Customize your space, set access controls, and announce updates.
     
  15. Mezon icon

    Mezon

     6 likes

    The best Discord alternative. Mezon is a Live, Work, and Play platform. It’s perfect for gaming and chilling with friends, or even building a global community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Mezon screenshot 1
     
12 of 38 Matrix alternatives