Fractal vs JSXC
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Fractal | JSXC |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Rust | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 900 | ★ 731 |
| First released | 2017 | 2013 |
| Replaces | Slack, Discord | Slack |
What are Fractal and JSXC?
Fractal
Fractal is a Matrix client designed for the GNOME desktop and written in Rust with GTK. It supports end-to-end encryption, multiple accounts, and integrates cleanly with the GNOME ecosystem.
- GNOME-native GTK interface
- End-to-end encryption
- Multi-account support
- Adaptive layout
JSXC
JSXC is a real-time XMPP chat application that runs in the browser and can be integrated into web platforms like Nextcloud and SOGo. It supports OTR and OMEMO encryption.
- Browser-based XMPP client
- OTR and OMEMO encryption
- Integrates with Nextcloud
- Audio and video via WebRTC
Fractal vs JSXC: key differences
Fractal is written in Rust, while JSXC is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Fractal versus MIT for JSXC. JSXC is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Fractal. JSXC is the more established project (first released 2013), while Fractal arrived in 2017.
Why pick each one
Choose Fractal if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in Rust
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Choose JSXC if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Written in TypeScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Watch out for
- Needs an XMPP backend
- Integration-focused
Frequently asked questions
Is Fractal or JSXC better?
Fractal is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider JSXC if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Fractal and JSXC free and open-source?
Yes. Fractal is licensed under GPL-3.0 and JSXC under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Fractal and JSXC with Docker?
Fractal: check the project docs for container support. JSXC: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Fractal or JSXC?
JSXC has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Fractal. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.