Monocles Chat 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 | Monocles Chat | Synapse |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Java | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 100 | ★ 4,643 |
| First released | 2021 | 2014 |
| Replaces | WhatsApp, Signal | Slack, Discord, WhatsApp |
What are Monocles Chat and Synapse?
Monocles Chat
Monocles Chat is an Android XMPP messaging client forked from Conversations with an extended feature set and theming options. It supports OMEMO encryption, group chats, and audio and video calls.
- Android XMPP client
- OMEMO encryption
- Audio and video calls
- Extensive theming
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
Monocles Chat vs Synapse: key differences
Monocles Chat is written in Java, while Synapse is built with Python. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Monocles Chat versus AGPL-3.0 for Synapse. Monocles Chat is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Synapse. Synapse is the more established project (first released 2014), while Monocles Chat arrived in 2021. Synapse has the considerably larger community, at 4,643 GitHub stars versus 100. Synapse lists first-class Docker deployment; Monocles Chat does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Monocles Chat if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in Java
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
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 Monocles Chat or Synapse better?
Neither is universally better. Synapse has the larger community, while Monocles Chat is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Monocles Chat and Synapse free and open-source?
Yes. Monocles Chat is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Synapse under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Monocles Chat and Synapse with Docker?
Monocles Chat: check the project docs for container support. Synapse: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Monocles Chat or Synapse?
Monocles Chat has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Synapse. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.