Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Matrix.org VS JSON Web Token

Compare Matrix.org VS JSON Web Token and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Matrix.org logo Matrix.org

Matrix is an open standard for decentralized persistent communication over IP.

JSON Web Token logo JSON Web Token

JSON Web Tokens are an open, industry standard RFC 7519 method for representing claims securely between two parties.
  • Matrix.org Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-21
  • JSON Web Token Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-19

Matrix.org features and specs

  • Decentralization
    Matrix.org is built on a decentralized architecture, meaning no single entity controls the entire network. This ensures greater resilience, scalability, and prevents single points of failure.
  • Interoperability
    The platform is designed to bridge communications with other networks, such as Slack, IRC, and others, facilitating seamless interaction across different services.
  • End-to-End Encryption
    Matrix.org supports end-to-end encryption, ensuring that conversations are secure and private, and only accessible to the intended recipients.
  • Open-Source
    Matrix.org is an open-source project, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and contribute to the code base, which promotes transparency and continuous improvement.
  • Rich Communication
    The platform supports a variety of communication forms, including text, voice, video, and file sharing, making it versatile for different use cases.

Possible disadvantages of Matrix.org

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up a Matrix server can be complex and resource-intensive, requiring technical expertise which may not be accessible to all users.
  • Latency
    Due to its decentralized nature, users might experience higher latency compared to centralized messaging platforms, particularly in global communications.
  • Limited Network
    While Matrix is growing, its network is still smaller compared to mainstream alternatives, which might affect user adoption and community size.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running a Matrix server can be resource-intensive in terms of memory and CPU usage, which might demand higher infrastructure costs.
  • Learning Curve
    Users and administrators might face a steep learning curve due to the complexity of Matrix's features and configurations.

JSON Web Token features and specs

  • Stateless
    Since JWTs are self-contained, they do not require server-side sessions, enabling stateless authentication and reducing server memory usage.
  • Scalability
    JWTs can easily be used in distributed systems and microservices architectures due to their stateless nature, facilitating horizontal scaling.
  • Decentralized Issuance
    Multiple issuers can create and sign their own tokens, allowing for more decentralized and flexible authentication mechanisms.
  • Performance
    JWTs eliminate the need for database lookups during authenticating requests, as the token contains all the necessary information, which can lead to performance improvements.
  • Cross-domain and Mobile Compatible
    JWTs are widely supported by different platforms and can easily be used in cross-domain situations and with mobile applications.
  • Security
    JWTs can be signed and optionally encrypted, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the data they carry.

Possible disadvantages of JSON Web Token

  • Size
    JWTs tend to be larger than session IDs, which can increase the amount of data transmitted during requests.
  • Expiration Handling
    Managing token expiration can be complex. Once a token is issued, it remains valid until it expires or is explicitly revoked.
  • No Built-in Revocation
    Unlike sessions, JWTs cannot be easily revoked server-side, making it difficult to immediately invalidate tokens without additional mechanisms.
  • Security Risks
    If a JWT is intercepted or compromised, it can be used until it expires. Thus, it should be properly secured and transmitted over HTTPS.
  • Token Overhead
    Embedding too much information in the token payload can lead to performance overhead and potential data exposure risks.
  • Complexity
    Implementing JWT correctly requires a thorough understanding of security practices and token lifecycle management, which can add complexity to the system.

Analysis of Matrix.org

Overall verdict

  • Matrix.org is considered a good platform for secure and decentralized communication.

Why this product is good

  • Matrix.org offers a decentralized communication protocol that ensures user privacy and security. It allows users to host their own servers, providing greater control over data. The platform supports end-to-end encryption, making it a reliable choice for confidential communications. Additionally, Matrix.org has a vibrant open-source community and supports interoperability, allowing communication between different platforms.

Recommended for

    Matrix.org is recommended for individuals and organizations that prioritize privacy and security in their communications. It's ideal for tech-savvy users who value open-source solutions and those who seek to avoid centralized communication platforms. Additionally, it's suitable for developers looking to build custom communication solutions using a versatile protocol.

Analysis of JSON Web Token

Overall verdict

  • JWT is a widely-accepted standard used for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. It is a good choice for scenarios where security and scalability are primary concerns. However, it also requires careful implementation to ensure security, especially when dealing with sensitive information.

Why this product is good

  • JSON Web Token (JWT) is a compact, URL-safe means of representing claims to be transferred between two parties. The claims in a JWT are encoded as a JSON object that is used as the payload of a JSON Web Signature (JWS) structure or as the plaintext of a JSON Web Encryption (JWE) structure, enabling the claims to be digitally signed or integrity protected with a Message Authentication Code (MAC) and/or encrypted.

Recommended for

  • Stateless authentication
  • Distributed systems
  • Microservices architecture
  • Applications needing scalable, self-contained access tokens
  • Browser-based applications

Matrix.org videos

No Matrix.org videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

JSON Web Token videos

JSON Web Tokens Suck - Randall Degges (DevNet Create 2018)

More videos:

  • Review - JSON Web Tokens with Public Key Signatures
  • Review - RFC 7519 JSON Web Token (JWT), Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Matrix.org and JSON Web Token)
Communication
100 100%
0% 0
Identity Provider
0 0%
100% 100
Group Chat & Notifications
Identity And Access Management

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Matrix.org and JSON Web Token

Matrix.org Reviews

Top 10 Team Chat Software for a Self-Hosted environment specifically designed for Large Enterprises
Matrix.org never charges. It's completely free. Its free servers are open to all for public registrations.

JSON Web Token Reviews

We have no reviews of JSON Web Token yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Matrix.org should be more popular than JSON Web Token. It has been mentiond 592 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Matrix.org mentions (592)

  • Top 10 European Open-Source Projects to Watch in 2025
    End-to-end encryption guarantees respect for privacy rules. Discover further: MATrix Official Site. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Ask HN: Open-source forum platform (HN style)
    NATHAN SCHNEIDER - GOVERNABLE SPACES DEMOCRATIC DESIGN FOR ONLINE LIFE Available as PDF in https://www.ucpress.edu/books/governable-spaces/paper Really full of great advice "Side" projects * https://www.loomio.com * https://matrix.org * https://opencollective.com. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Ergo Chat – A modern IRC server written in Go
    And if it's not, or you need something more secure, there's always Matrix. https://matrix.org. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • US Senators implore Department of Defense to expand the use of Matrix
    No, they're talking about this Matrix: https://matrix.org/ Relevant blog post: https://matrix.org/blog/2024/12/unrelated-cybercriminal-network-taken-down/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Show HN: Open-source private home security camera system (end-to-end encryption)
    Sure, just wanted to tell you about it, as this seems to be defacto standard for foss android apps, for example most if not all https://matrix.org clients use it for push notifications (when you use their de googled build, or don't have play services) available. I also use a Signal fork with UnifiedPush and have some server alert scripts which post to my self-hosted ntfy instance, and the ntfy app itself will... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
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JSON Web Token mentions (303)

  • Access and Refresh Token Explained
    The key aspect of the separation between access and refresh tokens lies in the possibility of making access tokens easy to validate. An access token that carries a signature (such as a signed JWT) may be validated by the resource server on its own, without needing to contact the authorization server. - Source: dev.to / 3 days ago
  • OAuth 2.0 Overview: How It Works and Why It Matters
    Access Token: A string representing the authorization granted to the client. It’s used by the client to access protected resources on the resource server. Access tokens are typically short-lived for security reasons (e.g., valid for an hour). They can be in various formats, with JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) being a popular choice. - Source: dev.to / 5 days ago
  • OAuth or JWT? Everything Developers Need to Know in 2025
    ​Security Considerations • JWT o Always use HTTPS to prevent token interception o Set short expiration times o Avoid storing sensitive data in the token • OAuth o Always validate redirect URIs o Implement proper token revocation o Consider using PKCE for public clients References • The Ultimate Guide to Implementing Authentication in JavaScript Applications • OAuth 2.0 – RFC 6749 • JWT.io –... - Source: dev.to / 30 days ago
  • Guide to JWT API Authentication
    Jwt.io is a great playground to get used to working with JWTs. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Verifying Cognito access tokens - Comparing three JWT packages for Lambda authorizers
    The Lambda authorizer code decodes and verifies the token, and its business logic determines whether the request should proceed to the backend or be denied. Cognito access tokens are JSON Web Tokens (JWTs), and to simplify our coding, we might opt for an external package to handle token verification. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Matrix.org and JSON Web Token, you can also consider the following products

Element.io - Secure messaging app with strong end-to-end encryption, advanced group chat privacy settings, secure video calls for teams, encrypted communication using Matrix open network. Riot.im is now Element.

Auth0 - Auth0 is a program for people to get authentication and authorization services for their own business use.

Telegram - Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free.

Firebase Authentication - Application and Data, Application Utilities, and User Management and Authentication

Signal - Fast, simple & secure messaging. Privacy that fits in your pocket.

Spring Security - The Spring portfolio has many projects, including Spring Framework, Spring IO Platform, Spring Cloud, Spring Boot, Spring Data, Spring Security...