Element vs Streams
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
Streams
Decentralized social server with nomadic identity
| Feature | Element | Streams |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Networks | Social Networks |
| License | free | MIT |
| Language | TypeScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, one-click | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13,353 | ★ 100 |
| First released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Replaces | — | Facebook, Mastodon |
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 Streams if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in PHP
Frequently asked questions
Is Element or Streams better?
Element is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Streams if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Element and Streams free and open-source?
Yes. Element is licensed under free and Streams under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Element and Streams with Docker?
Element: yes. Streams: yes.