Element Web vs Synapse
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Element Web
Glossy Matrix client for the web and desktop
VS
Synapse
Reference homeserver for the Matrix network
| Feature | Element Web | Synapse |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 94 · Excellent | 89 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13,502 | ★ 4,643 |
| First released | 2016 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams | Slack, Discord, WhatsApp |
What are Element Web and Synapse?
Element Web
Element Web is the flagship Matrix client, providing a polished interface for chat, voice, and video over the Matrix protocol. It can be self-hosted alongside a homeserver for a fully owned communication stack.
- Full-featured Matrix client
- End-to-end encryption
- Voice and video calls
- Customizable branding
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
Element Web vs Synapse: key differences
Element Web is written in TypeScript, while Synapse is built with Python. Element Web is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Synapse. Synapse is the more established project (first released 2014), while Element Web arrived in 2016. Element Web has the considerably larger community, at 13,502 GitHub stars versus 4,643.
Why pick each one
Choose Element Web if…
- Most mature Matrix client
- Active development
Watch out for
- Heavier than minimal clients
- Best paired with own homeserver
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 Element Web or Synapse better?
Element Web is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Synapse if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Element Web and Synapse free and open-source?
Yes. Element Web is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Synapse under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Element Web and Synapse with Docker?
Element Web: yes. Synapse: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Element Web or Synapse?
Element Web has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Synapse. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.