Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

XMPP VS Matrix.org

Compare XMPP VS Matrix.org and see what are their differences

XMPP logo XMPP

is the open standard for messaging and presence.

Matrix.org logo Matrix.org

Matrix is an open standard for decentralized persistent communication over IP.
  • XMPP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25
  • Matrix.org Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-21

XMPP features and specs

  • Open Standard
    XMPP is an open standard protocol, which means it is freely accessible and can be used and modified by anyone. This fosters a larger community and can lead to more rapid development and innovation.
  • Extensible
    XMPP is designed to be extensible through the use of XML namespaces. It allows developers to create custom features or use existing extensions without altering the core protocol.
  • Decentralized
    As a decentralized protocol, XMPP does not rely on a central server, reducing the chances of a single point of failure and enhancing network autonomy.
  • Strong Security
    XMPP supports multiple types of security measures, including SASL authentication and TLS encryption, providing a robust framework for secure communication.
  • Real-time Communication
    XMPP is designed for real-time communication, making it ideal for instant messaging, presence information, and other real-time data exchanges.

Possible disadvantages of XMPP

  • Complexity
    The XML-based nature of XMPP can be more complex to parse and process compared to some other lightweight protocols, potentially leading to higher resource consumption.
  • Stanza Overhead
    Because XMPP relies on XML stanzas, there can be a considerable amount of overhead, especially for applications where bandwidth efficiency is critical.
  • Fragmentation
    While extensibility is an advantage, it can also lead to fragmentation. Different clients might implement different extensions, leading to compatibility issues.
  • Scalability Challenges
    While XMPP can be scaled, doing so often requires additional architectural considerations and components, such as clustering, which can increase complexity and cost.
  • Limited Multimedia Support
    XMPP is less suited for multimedia streaming compared to other protocols specifically designed for those purposes, such as WebRTC.

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.

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.

XMPP videos

Introduction to XMPP, a protocol for the Internet of Things and Services

More videos:

  • Review - XMPP WhatsAp like Android Chat App With Smack

Matrix.org videos

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

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to XMPP and Matrix.org)
Communication
5 5%
95% 95
Group Chat & Notifications
Instant Messaging
14 14%
86% 86
Messaging
5 5%
95% 95

User comments

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Reviews

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

XMPP Reviews

We have no reviews of XMPP yet.
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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.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Matrix.org seems to be a lot more popular than XMPP. While we know about 592 links to Matrix.org, we've tracked only 22 mentions of XMPP. 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.

XMPP mentions (22)

  • The Home Server Journey - 4: Enter The Matrix
    If you're a old school person wishing to host your own messaging, I bet you'd go for IRC or XMPP. But I'm more of a late millennial, so it's easier to get drawn to fancy stuff like Matrix, a protocol for federated communication. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Tailscale Kubernetes Operator
    I'll be adding to this cluster in the future too as we continue development on Xeme which is our new XMPP library as well as Myna which is our new Matrix library. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • Paying users get early access to the new change
    We currently have the Matrix protocol, with client applications such as Element supporting it. We also have XMPP as another option. Generally more modern than IRC, these platforms are primarily developed as FOSS software. This makes it less likely for developers to impact their users negatively. However, despite these advantages, these platforms lack the refined user experience (addictiveness and stickiness) that... Source: about 2 years ago
  • WhatsApp would not remove end-to-end encryption for UK law, says chief
    That's essentially what we had with Jabber/XMPP [0] and OTR [1]. Since the encryption happened client-side, it would also work across networks. There was a time when Google chat, Facebook Messengers and other high profile chat networks could all interconnect through it. [0] https://xmpp.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Chat client with voice messaging
    Xmpp there's loads of clients for it no phone number needed https://xmpp.org/ pick a server loads have sign up via the client. Source: over 2 years ago
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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 / 6 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing XMPP and Matrix.org, you can also consider the following products

Tox - Send messages, files, create groups and make Tox to Tox audio and video calls. Securely.

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.

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

SimpleX chat - 🚀 SimpleX - the most private and secure chat - now with double ratchet E2E encryption!

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

Slack - A messaging app for teams who see through the Earth!