Element X vs Monocles Chat
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 | Monocles Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Swift | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 947 | ★ 100 |
| First released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Replaces | WhatsApp, Signal | WhatsApp, Signal |
What are Element X and Monocles Chat?
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
Monocles Chat
Monocles Chat is an Android XMPP messaging client forked from Conversations with an extended feature set and theming options. It supports OMEMO encryption, group chats, and audio and video calls.
- Android XMPP client
- OMEMO encryption
- Audio and video calls
- Extensive theming
Element X vs Monocles Chat: key differences
Element X is written in Swift, while Monocles Chat is built with Java. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Element X versus GPL-3.0 for Monocles Chat. Element X is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Monocles Chat. Element X has the considerably larger community, at 947 GitHub stars versus 100.
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 Monocles Chat if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in Java
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Element X or Monocles Chat better?
Neither is universally better. Element X has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Element X and Monocles Chat free and open-source?
Yes. Element X is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Monocles Chat under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Element X and Monocles Chat with Docker?
Element X: check the project docs for container support. Monocles Chat: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Element X or Monocles Chat?
Element X has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Monocles Chat. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.