{"data":{"slug":"synapse","name":"Synapse","tagline":"AGPL-3.0 reference Matrix homeserver from Element, in Python and Rust","category":"comms","categoryName":"Comms","url":"https://element-hq.github.io/synapse","github":"https://github.com/element-hq/synapse","pricing":"open-source","hook":"Synapse is the reference homeserver for Matrix, the open, federated chat protocol: run it and your users can talk to rooms on any other Matrix server through clients like Element.","whatsGood":"AGPL-3.0 (element-hq/synapse), release v1.163.0 (2026-10-14), commit on 2026-10-20. The most complete Matrix server, so new spec features land here first. Useful when you want self-hosted, federated chat or a bridge hub to other networks. ★~4.7k on the new repo; the archived matrix-org/synapse repo holds the older ~12k.","theCatch":"Element moved development to element-hq and changed the license from Apache-2.0 to AGPL-3.0 in late 2023, with a commercial license on offer. It is resource-hungry once you join large federated rooms, and you should run it on Postgres, not SQLite. Tuwunel is a lighter Rust homeserver if you don't need every feature.","verdict":"The full-featured Matrix server; plan for its memory and database needs.","addedAt":"2026-10-21","featured":false,"domain":"Comms","subSpecialty":"Realtime","subcategory":"Team Chat","tags":["self-host","copyleft","active"],"capabilities":[],"surfaces":["Self-host"],"ecosystem":["Multi-platform"],"licenseModel":"AGPL-3.0","githubStars":4716,"starsPerWeek":32,"access":"free","archived":false,"repo":{"createdAt":"2023-12-13","pushedAt":"2026-10-20","license":"AGPL-3.0","archived":false,"checkedAt":"2026-10-21"}},"related":[{"slug":"livekit","name":"LiveKit","tagline":"Apache-2.0 realtime rooms, SFU, and agents"},{"slug":"chatwoot","name":"Chatwoot","tagline":"MIT-core support inbox you can self-host for $0/agent"},{"slug":"socket-io","name":"Socket.IO","tagline":"MIT realtime library with fallbacks, not a hosted product"},{"slug":"plunk","name":"Plunk","tagline":"AGPL-3.0 transactional email, workflows, and broadcasts"},{"slug":"centrifugo","name":"Centrifugo","tagline":"Apache-2.0 Go realtime server binary, not in-process Socket.IO"}],"links":{"self":"/api/gems/synapse","html":"/gems/synapse","markdown":"/gems/synapse.md","category":"/api/gems?category=comms","categoryPage":"/stacks/comms"}}