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Matrix Synapse / Element

Federated, E2E-encrypted messaging

provisional — pending verificationAGPL-3.0self-hostable

Value Index

3.8 / 5

Transparency5

Value density3

Privacy5

Efficiency2

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Why it's listed

Matrix Synapse / Element is listed in team chat & messaging because it competes on utility: federated, e2e-encrypted messaging. It's stewarded by a non-profit or foundation, which structurally protects it from acquisition-driven enshittification. Licensed AGPL-3.0; pricing: free (ce) / paid hosting. It's on the heavier side for its category — we score that honestly and say so. This entry is provisional — the scores are seeded estimates pending our full manual rubric pass, and the verification date will appear here once complete.

Facts

License: AGPL-3.0
Pricing: Free (CE) / paid hosting
Funding model: Foundation + company
Self-hostable: Yes — deploy difficulty: hard
Replaces: Slack, WhatsApp
Verification: Provisional — scores are seeded estimates pending manual verification

Evidence notes

Python; federation costs resources

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Spotted a problem — trackers added, dark patterns, abandonment? Report a violation. Scores change when evidence does.