OSI-licensed open source
Matrix is an open standard for decentralized, end-to-end encrypted chat, and a homeserver is the server that stores your users' accounts and rooms. Running your own gives you control of data and identity while still federating with the wider Matrix network.
This page lists homeservers (Synapse, Tuwunel, Dendrite, Conduit) and the tooling that makes them easier to run (matrix-docker-ansible-deploy, Element Server Suite Community and Matrix Authentication Service). Every entry is OSI-licensed and its repository was checked this run. It is for sysadmins and teams deciding how heavy a server they want.
Tools, licences and pricing checked against vendor and repository pages on November 7, 2026.
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synapse | The reference, most feature-complete homeserver | Free, open source | AGPL-3.0 |
| Tuwunel | Lightweight, actively developed Rust homeserver | Free, open source | Apache-2.0 |
| Dendrite | Existing Dendrite installs and Go-based experimentation | Free, open source | AGPL-3.0 |
| Conduit | Small personal or family servers | Free, open source | Apache-2.0 |
| matrix-docker-ansible-deploy | Admins who want a full Matrix stack deployed with Ansible | Free, open source | AGPL-3.0 |
| Element Server Suite Community | Kubernetes teams wanting a supported-style Matrix deployment | Free, open source | AGPL-3.0 |
| Matrix Authentication Service | OIDC-based login for Matrix servers | Free, open source | AGPL-3.0 |
Best for: The reference, most feature-complete homeserver · Free, open source
Synapse is an open-source Matrix homeserver built and maintained by Element, written in Python with Rust components. It is dual-licensed with a commercial option from Element.
Best for: Lightweight, actively developed Rust homeserver · Free, open source
Tuwunel is a Rust Matrix homeserver meant to replace Synapse for clients, bridges and bots. It continues the conduwuit project and is primarily sponsored by the Swiss government.
Best for: Existing Dendrite installs and Go-based experimentation · Free, open source
Dendrite is a second-generation Matrix homeserver written in Go, now maintained by Element. The README says it is in maintenance mode, with only security fixes applied.
Best for: Small personal or family servers · Free, open source
Conduit is a simple, fast and reliable chat server powered by Matrix, written in Rust and hosted on GitLab.
Best for: Admins who want a full Matrix stack deployed with Ansible · Free, open source
This Ansible playbook sets up a self-hosted Matrix homeserver along with many related services, running them in Docker containers.
Best for: Kubernetes teams wanting a supported-style Matrix deployment · Free, open source
ESS Community is a free AGPL distribution that deploys the Matrix stack, including Synapse and Matrix Authentication Service, onto Kubernetes using Helm charts. It targets small to mid-size deployments of roughly 100 users.
Best for: OIDC-based login for Matrix servers · Free, open source
Matrix Authentication Service manages user accounts and logins on Matrix homeservers and is part of Element Server Suite.
One email a week with the tools, launches and releases added to TechLogHub. Unsubscribe in one click.
One email a week: new and trending developer tools, fresh comparisons, and what shipped. Unsubscribe in one click.
| If you need… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Most complete, best documented server | Synapse |
| Tiny VPS, low RAM | Tuwunel, Conduit |
| Deploy everything with Ansible | matrix-docker-ansible-deploy |
| Deploy on Kubernetes | Element Server Suite Community |
| Add OIDC login | Matrix Authentication Service |
Quick answers to common questions
The server that holds user accounts and room history and federates with other Matrix servers.
Synapse is the safest default. Tuwunel and Conduit are lighter Rust alternatives for small servers.
Its repository states it is in maintenance mode with only security fixes applied, so new deployments should consider other options.
Yes, each listed project's repository shows an OSI licence. Element also offers commercial licences for some of its AGPL software.
List it on TechLogHub and we'll review it for this guide.
