Dendrite 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 | Dendrite | Synapse |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 89 · Excellent |
| Status | Archived | Actively maintained |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | Apache-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Go | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 5,625 | ★ 4,643 |
| First released | 2017 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Slack, Discord | Slack, Discord, WhatsApp |
What are Dendrite and Synapse?
Dendrite
Dendrite is a lightweight, efficient Matrix homeserver written in Go by the Matrix.org team. It is designed to be a more resource-efficient alternative to Synapse while remaining fully compatible with the Matrix protocol.
- Lower memory footprint than Synapse
- Federated Matrix protocol
- End-to-end encryption support
- Polylith and monolith deployment modes
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
Dendrite vs Synapse: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Dendrite's repository is archived and no longer developed, while Synapse is actively maintained. Dendrite is written in Go, while Synapse is built with Python. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Dendrite versus AGPL-3.0 for Synapse. Dendrite is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Synapse. Synapse is the more established project (first released 2014), while Dendrite arrived in 2017.
Why pick each one
Choose Dendrite if…
- Much lighter than Synapse
- Active development by Matrix.org
Watch out for
- Some Synapse features still missing
- Less battle-tested at large scale
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 Dendrite or Synapse better?
Dendrite is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Dendrite if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Dendrite and Synapse free and open-source?
Yes. Dendrite is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Synapse under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dendrite and Synapse with Docker?
Dendrite: yes. Synapse: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Dendrite or Synapse?
Dendrite has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Synapse. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.