JSXC vs Synapse
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | JSXC | Synapse |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 12 · At risk | 89 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 731 | ★ 4,643 |
| First released | 2013 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Slack | Slack, Discord, WhatsApp |
What are JSXC and Synapse?
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
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
JSXC vs Synapse: key differences
JSXC is written in TypeScript, while Synapse is built with Python. Licensing differs — MIT for JSXC versus AGPL-3.0 for Synapse. JSXC is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Synapse. Synapse has the considerably larger community, at 4,643 GitHub stars versus 731. Synapse lists first-class Docker deployment; JSXC does not.
Why pick each one
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
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 JSXC or Synapse better?
Neither is universally better. Synapse has the larger community, while JSXC is simpler to set up (medium difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are JSXC and Synapse free and open-source?
Yes. JSXC is licensed under MIT and Synapse under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run JSXC and Synapse with Docker?
JSXC: check the project docs for container support. Synapse: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, JSXC or Synapse?
JSXC has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Synapse. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.