ejabberd vs Synapse
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
ejabberd
Robust, scalable XMPP messaging server
VS
Synapse
Reference homeserver for the Matrix network
| Feature | ejabberd | Synapse |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 91 · Excellent | 89 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Erlang | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 6,732 | ★ 4,643 |
| First released | 2002 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Slack, WhatsApp | Slack, Discord, WhatsApp |
What are ejabberd and Synapse?
ejabberd
ejabberd is a robust and scalable XMPP server powering instant messaging, presence, and real-time communication. It targets operators running large messaging deployments. It is deployed via Docker or native packages.
- Highly scalable XMPP server
- Clustering support
- Many extension modules
- MQTT and SIP support
Synapse
Synapse is the reference homeserver implementation for Matrix, an open protocol for decentralized, federated, secure chat. It targets communities and organizations running their own messaging infrastructure. It is deployed via Docker or native packages.
- Federated Matrix homeserver
- End-to-end encrypted rooms
- Bridges to other networks
- Many compatible clients
ejabberd vs Synapse: key differences
Ejabberd is written in Erlang, while Synapse is built with Python. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for ejabberd versus AGPL-3.0 for Synapse. Ejabberd is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Synapse. Ejabberd is the more established project (first released 2002), while Synapse arrived in 2014.
Why pick each one
Choose ejabberd if…
- Extremely scalable
- Battle-tested
- Standards-based
Watch out for
- XMPP UX depends on clients
- Advanced config is complex
Choose Synapse if…
- Open federated protocol
- Strong encryption
- Bridges to other chats
Watch out for
- Resource and maintenance heavy
- Complex to operate well
Frequently asked questions
Is ejabberd or Synapse better?
Neither is universally better. ejabberd has the larger community; both share a hard setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are ejabberd and Synapse free and open-source?
Yes. ejabberd is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Synapse under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run ejabberd and Synapse with Docker?
ejabberd: yes. Synapse: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, ejabberd or Synapse?
ejabberd has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Synapse. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.