Which is your preferred messaging app? I just want some insights about these two.
You may share other messaging apps too.
well what are your criteria? Asking for advice without saying what you need isn’t tremendously useful and, as has happened, mostly just results in people recommending whatever they personally use for whatever reasons.
Signal requires your phone number, which is not only quite bad for privacy, but also easy to block 2FA for your government if it decides it doesn’t like private chats.
Both ! Use Matrix with tech savy friends and Signal with your family
Currently using Signal. If Canada passes Bill C-22 Signal will leave so I’ll have to find another messenger app.
SimpleX seems like a good one. Doesn’t use Google notifications which is great for degoogled devices. Set it to check every 10 minutes instead of constantly and it’s very easy on the battery. Messages come in right away if the app is open, such as when having a conversation with a contact.
Edit: SimpleX is also very easy to use, as simple as Signal. This is important to get non-tech people on-board.
I’ve been using XMPP the past two decades. I use it because I haven’t found something that’s better.
IRC is the best (jk)
I’d go with Matrix. I use it as my main messenger and I’ve actually set up my own self-hosted instance. It works perfectly for both 1:1 conversations and managing my tabletop RPG groups. Voice chat through Element Call is fantastic – honestly, it’s a solid alternative to Discord.
What I really appreciate is the control I get from self-hosting: I have complete autonomy over the server and data for both my personal messaging and community spaces. For RPG campaigns, the room structure and customizable permission system are ideal. The voice quality is reliable enough for long gaming sessions, and everything feels more private and independent compared to relying on Discord.
Both. Signal for friends and family. Matrix for fedi friends.
Signal. The app is miles better. I do use matrix too tho for some communities and for keeping an eye for the development
XMPP
Delta chat and session (RIP): they dont ask for accounts or ID to chat
delta absolutely needs an account though, it’s literally email
Have you checked out Arcane Chat?
Both are options that I’m personally not too fond of, but can nonetheless respect that these probably fit the threat model of some people. Signal is not self hostable, not all that private (still better than whatsapp atleast), and it’s servers are located in the States. Does have some FOSS clients like molly atleast.
Matrix is a bit more complicated in my opinion. While the protocol itself is fine, the history behind it is what makes me not want to use it personally. Namely, it being a project that emerged from Amdocs, an Israeli telecommunications company previously suspected of eavesdropping and spying on people. While open-source and self-hostable, it has a network effect going on where everyone registers on the main instance and self-hosting is apparently incredibly resource intensive. Plus, most instances require you to give an email address.
Personally, I’d recommend looking into GNU Jami and XMPP. XMPP may not have encryption as a built-in component of the protocol in the way that it is with Matrix, it nonetheless exists as an option and there’s plenty of no-email-required instances. XMPP is also less resource intensive to self host should you wish to do that.
Jami doesn’t work with servers but is instead distributed and peer-to-peer along with being libre software. Only knock against this one is that the desktop client is based on electron, which isn’t a problem for me personally but there are people who’re nonetheless opinionated about that.
That’s some great insights. Thanks!
I don’t know that Matrix is that resource intensive. I run a Matrix server with ~30 users on a Raspberry Pi and a 1TB nvme.
Maybe depends on which server implementation you use, I could be out of date. I heard about Synapse, the “flagship” implementation, being heavier though you of course have the option to use one of the lighter weight implementations. Personally, I don’t self host and I am mostly going on second-hand information that I’ve read from people who do self host.
What really helps with such decisions is your use model and threat model. Then a nice matrix that compares them all. Haven’t come across a good updated comparison in a while. Would be good to see a shared link here.
Signal, all day every day. Nothing else comes close to mainstream accessibility with assurance of security/privacy
Im also dubious about the matrix product, team and their origins in amdocs
Without a doubt, #DeltaChat: open source, free, and privacy-friendly.
Matrix is a good option, but it’s too complicated for ordinary people who aren’t tech-savvy, while Signal relies on Amazon and Google’s servers…I saw someone says that groups are locally stored only, which is definitely a drawback.
