Synapse is a Matrix homeserver implementation developed by Element. It allows organisations, communities and individuals to operate their own real-time communication services using the decentralised Matrix protocol.
As a homeserver, Synapse manages user accounts, chat rooms and message histories while exchanging events with other servers through federation. Users can communicate with people on different Matrix servers without belonging to the same organisation or service provider.
Synapse is suitable for small private communities as well as larger deployments. It provides extensive administration and security controls, and can distribute workloads across multiple processes to accommodate demanding installations.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Implements the Matrix client-server and server-server federation APIs.
- Supports direct messages, group conversations, public rooms and Matrix Spaces.
- Federation allows communication with users on independently operated Matrix homeservers.
- Supports encrypted conversations using compatible Matrix clients.
- Application Services API enables integration with bridges, bots and external communication services.
- Extensive administrator API for managing users, rooms, devices and media.
- Supports OpenID Connect and SAML authentication with external identity providers.
- Configurable user registration, account management and access controls.
- PostgreSQL database support for production deployments.
- Multiple worker processes can distribute client requests, federation and background tasks.
- Media repository with thumbnail generation, caching and configurable retention policies.
- Room moderation, user blocking and federation restrictions.
- Configurable message retention and event purging.
- Supports push notifications, presence information and read receipts.
- Server discovery and federation delegation using well-known URLs.
- Administration facilities for managing room directories and historical data.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux and macOS.
Website: github.com/element-hq/synapse
Support:
Developer: Element
License: GNU Affero General Public License v3.0
Synapse is written in Python. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Matrix Servers | |
|---|---|
| Synapse | Matrix homeserver implementation |
| Tuwunel | Featureful Matrix homeserver |
| Dendrite | Second-generation Matrix homeserver |
| continuwuity | Community-driven Matrix homeserver |
| Conduit | Aims to be an efficient Matrix homeserver |
| Palpo | Matrix homeserver for decentralised messaging |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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