Chatmail vs Element X
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?
Chatmail
Minimal, instant-onboarding mail server for Delta Chat
VS
Element X
Next-generation fast Matrix client for mobile
| Feature | Chatmail | Element X |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Mail Servers | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | MPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | Swift |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 476 | ★ 912 |
| First released | 2023 | 2022 |
| Replaces | WhatsApp, Signal |
Why pick each one
Choose Chatmail if…
- Released under the MPL-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Python
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Choose Element X if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in Swift
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Chatmail or Element X better?
Element X is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Chatmail if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Chatmail and Element X free and open-source?
Yes. Chatmail is licensed under MPL-2.0 and Element X under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Chatmail and Element X with Docker?
Chatmail: yes. Element X: check the project docs for container support.