Briar vs mautrix-signal
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Briar
Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging that works offline
VS
mautrix-signal
Bridge connecting Signal messaging to Matrix
| Feature | Briar | mautrix-signal |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Chat & Communication | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Java | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 800 | ★ 666 |
| First released | 2018 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Signal, WhatsApp | Signal |
Why pick each one
Choose Briar if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in Java
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Choose mautrix-signal if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Go
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Briar or mautrix-signal better?
Briar is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider mautrix-signal if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Briar and mautrix-signal free and open-source?
Yes. Briar is licensed under GPL-3.0 and mautrix-signal under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Briar and mautrix-signal with Docker?
Briar: check the project docs for container support. mautrix-signal: yes.