Element X vs mautrix-signal
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Element X | mautrix-signal |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 82 · Excellent | 81 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Swift | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 947 | ★ 673 |
| First released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Replaces | WhatsApp, Signal | Signal |
What are Element X and mautrix-signal?
Element X
Element X is a rewritten, sliding-sync-powered Matrix client focused on speed and a streamlined mobile experience. It connects to any Matrix homeserver for chat and calls.
- Built on Matrix Rust SDK
- Very fast sync via sliding sync
- End-to-end encryption
- Native Element Call integration
mautrix-signal
mautrix-signal is a puppeting bridge that links Signal conversations to Matrix rooms in both directions, letting Matrix users communicate with Signal contacts. It is part of the mautrix bridge family.
- Signal to Matrix bridge
- Bidirectional messaging
- End-to-end encryption support
- Part of the mautrix family
Element X vs mautrix-signal: key differences
Element X is written in Swift, while mautrix-signal is built with Go. Element X is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for mautrix-signal. Mautrix-signal is the more established project (first released 2020), while Element X arrived in 2022. Mautrix-signal lists first-class Docker deployment; Element X does not.
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
Watch out for
- Mobile-focused
- Requires a Matrix homeserver
Choose mautrix-signal if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Go
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Element X or mautrix-signal better?
Element X is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider mautrix-signal if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Element X and mautrix-signal free and open-source?
Yes. Element X is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and mautrix-signal under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Element X and mautrix-signal with Docker?
Element X: check the project docs for container support. mautrix-signal: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Element X or mautrix-signal?
Element X has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for mautrix-signal. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.