Construct vs Synapse
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Synapse
Reference homeserver for the Matrix network
| Feature | Construct | Synapse |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 11 · At risk | 89 · Excellent |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | BSD-3-Clause | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 394 | ★ 4,643 |
| First released | 2018 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Slack, Discord | Slack, Discord, WhatsApp |
What are Construct and Synapse?
Construct
Construct is a Matrix homeserver implementation written in C++ focused on raw performance and efficiency. It is one of the original alternative homeserver projects in the Matrix ecosystem.
- Written in modern C++
- Designed for low overhead
- Matrix federation support
- Embedded database
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
Construct vs Synapse: key differences
Construct is written in C++, while Synapse is built with Python. Licensing differs — BSD-3-Clause for Construct versus AGPL-3.0 for Synapse. Construct is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Synapse. Synapse is the more established project (first released 2014), while Construct arrived in 2018. Synapse has the considerably larger community, at 4,643 GitHub stars versus 394. Synapse lists first-class Docker deployment; Construct does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Construct if…
- Released under the BSD-3-Clause license
- Written in C++
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Watch out for
- Complex to build
- Limited documentation
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 Construct or Synapse better?
Neither is universally better. Synapse has the larger community; both share a hard setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Construct and Synapse free and open-source?
Yes. Construct is licensed under BSD-3-Clause and Synapse under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Construct and Synapse with Docker?
Construct: check the project docs for container support. Synapse: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Construct or Synapse?
Construct has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Synapse. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.