Fractal vs Syphon
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Fractal | Syphon |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Rust | Dart |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 900 | ★ 1,059 |
| First released | 2017 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Slack, Discord | WhatsApp, Discord |
What are Fractal and Syphon?
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
Syphon
Syphon is a Matrix messaging client that emphasizes privacy and a calm, distraction-free interface, built with Flutter for desktop and mobile. It supports end-to-end encryption out of the box.
- Privacy-first Matrix client
- End-to-end encryption
- Distraction-free design
- Desktop and mobile
Fractal vs Syphon: key differences
Fractal is written in Rust, while Syphon is built with Dart. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Fractal versus AGPL-3.0 for Syphon. Fractal is the more established project (first released 2017), while Syphon arrived in 2020.
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 Syphon if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (1.1k GitHub stars)
- Written in Dart
Frequently asked questions
Is Fractal or Syphon better?
Neither is universally better. Syphon has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Fractal and Syphon free and open-source?
Yes. Fractal is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Syphon under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Fractal and Syphon with Docker?
Fractal: check the project docs for container support. Syphon: check the project docs for container support.