Synapse vs Syphon
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
VS
Syphon
Privacy-focused Matrix client built with Flutter
| Feature | Synapse | Syphon |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 89 · Excellent | 14 · At risk |
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | Dart |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,643 | ★ 1,059 |
| First released | 2014 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Slack, Discord, WhatsApp | WhatsApp, Discord |
What are Synapse and Syphon?
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
Syphon
Syphon is a Matrix messaging client that emphasizes privacy and a calm, distraction-free interface, built with Flutter for desktop and mobile. It supports end-to-end encryption out of the box.
- Privacy-first Matrix client
- End-to-end encryption
- Distraction-free design
- Desktop and mobile
Synapse vs Syphon: key differences
Synapse is written in Python, while Syphon is built with Dart. Syphon 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 Syphon arrived in 2020. Synapse has the considerably larger community, at 4,643 GitHub stars versus 1,059. Synapse lists first-class Docker deployment; Syphon does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Synapse if…
- Open federated protocol
- Strong encryption
- Bridges to other chats
Watch out for
- Resource and maintenance heavy
- Complex to operate well
Choose Syphon if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (1.1k GitHub stars)
- Written in Dart
Frequently asked questions
Is Synapse or Syphon better?
Neither is universally better. Synapse has the larger community, while Syphon is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Synapse and Syphon free and open-source?
Yes. Synapse is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Syphon under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Synapse and Syphon with Docker?
Synapse: yes. Syphon: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Synapse or Syphon?
Syphon 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.