Element vs Soapbox
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted social networks options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Element
A glossy Matrix client compatible with Synapse
VS
Soapbox
Customizable fediverse web front-end
| Feature | Element | Soapbox |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Networks | Social Networks |
| License | free | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, one-click | bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13,353 | ★ 700 |
| First released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Replaces | — | Twitter app |
Why pick each one
Choose Element if…
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- One-click install on common self-host platforms
- Mature project with 13.4k GitHub stars
Choose Soapbox if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Written in TypeScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Element or Soapbox better?
Element is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Soapbox if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Element and Soapbox free and open-source?
Yes. Element is licensed under free and Soapbox under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Element and Soapbox with Docker?
Element: yes. Soapbox: check the project docs for container support.