Element X vs Chatmail Relay
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?
Element X
Next-generation fast Matrix client for mobile
VS
Chatmail Relay
Minimal email server tuned for Delta Chat messaging
| Feature | Element X | Chatmail Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Chat & Communication |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MPL-2.0 |
| Language | Swift | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 912 | ★ 476 |
| First released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Replaces | WhatsApp, Signal | WhatsApp, Signal |
Why pick each one
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 Element X or Chatmail Relay better?
Element X is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Chatmail Relay if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Element X and Chatmail Relay free and open-source?
Yes. Element X is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Chatmail Relay under MPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Element X and Chatmail Relay with Docker?
Element X: check the project docs for container support. Chatmail Relay: yes.