SchildiChat 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 | SchildiChat | 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 | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Shell | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 464 | ★ 4,643 |
| First released | 2020 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Slack, WhatsApp | Slack, Discord, WhatsApp |
What are SchildiChat and Synapse?
SchildiChat
SchildiChat is a fork of Element that adds a unified message bubble layout and other usability improvements. The web version can be self-hosted to connect to any Matrix homeserver.
- Message bubble layout
- Element compatibility
- End-to-end encryption
- Unified chat list
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
SchildiChat vs Synapse: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: SchildiChat's repository is archived and no longer developed, while Synapse is actively maintained. SchildiChat is written in Shell, while Synapse is built with Python. SchildiChat 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 SchildiChat arrived in 2020. Synapse has the considerably larger community, at 4,643 GitHub stars versus 464.
Why pick each one
Choose SchildiChat if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Shell
Watch out for
- Tracks Element upstream
- Matrix-only
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 SchildiChat or Synapse better?
Neither is universally better. Synapse has the larger community, while SchildiChat is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are SchildiChat and Synapse free and open-source?
Yes. SchildiChat is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Synapse under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run SchildiChat and Synapse with Docker?
SchildiChat: yes. Synapse: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, SchildiChat or Synapse?
SchildiChat 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.