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Server Comparison

Choose the right homeserver for your needs.

Overview​

AspectSynapseDendriteConduit
LanguagePythonGoRust
StatusStableStableBeta
Primary useReferenceEfficientLightweight
Maintained byElementMatrix.orgCommunity

Feature Comparison​

Core Protocol Support​

FeatureSynapseDendriteConduit
Client-Server API✅ Full✅ Full✅ Full
Server-Server API✅ Full✅ Full✅ Full
End-to-End Encryption✅ Full✅ Full✅ Full
Room versionsAllAllMost
Push notifications✅✅✅
URL previews✅✅✅

Advanced Features​

FeatureSynapseDendriteConduit
Spaces✅ Full✅ Full🔄 Basic
Threads✅ Full✅ Full✅
VoIP/TURN✅ Full✅✅
Presence✅✅✅
Typing indicators✅✅✅
Read receipts✅✅✅
SSO/OIDC✅✅🔄

Integrations​

FeatureSynapseDendriteConduit
Appservices (bridges/bots)✅ Full✅ Full🔄 Basic
Integration managers✅✅✅
Admin API✅ Extensive🔄 Basic❌ Limited
Prometheus metrics✅✅🔄

Performance Comparison​

Resource Usage (Idle)​

ResourceSynapseDendriteConduit
RAM300-500 MB50-100 MB20-50 MB
CPUMediumLowVery Low
Disk I/OMediumLowLow

Under Load (1000+ users)​

MetricSynapseDendriteConduit
RAM2-8 GB500 MB-2 GB200-500 MB
CPU cores2-4+1-21
DatabasePostgreSQLPostgreSQLEmbedded

Scaling Approach​

Synapse:     Single → Workers → Multiple instances
Dendrite:    Monolith → Polylith (microservices)
Conduit:     Single instance (no horizontal scaling)

Setup Complexity​

Time to First Message​

ServerEstimated Setup Time
Conduit15-30 minutes
Dendrite30-60 minutes
Synapse1-2 hours

Configuration Complexity​

AspectSynapseDendriteConduit
Config fileLarge, many optionsMediumSmall, simple
Database setupRequired (PostgreSQL)RecommendedBuilt-in
Reverse proxyRequiredRequiredRequired
DocumentationExtensiveGoodGrowing

Use Case Recommendations​

Personal Server​

Best: Conduit

  • Minimal resources
  • Easy setup
  • Good enough features
✅ Single user or small group
✅ Limited hardware (Pi, small VPS)
✅ Minimal maintenance desired

Small Community (< 100 users)​

Best: Dendrite

  • Good balance of features and efficiency
  • All essential features
  • Moderate resources
✅ Community servers
✅ Small organizations
✅ Growing user base

Organization / Large Community​

Best: Synapse

  • Complete feature set
  • Proven at scale
  • Best tooling
✅ Enterprise deployments
✅ Large user bases
✅ Complex requirements
✅ Bridges and integrations

Migration Paths​

Conduit → Dendrite/Synapse​

Currently no direct migration. Options:

  1. Start fresh on new server
  2. Export/import rooms manually
  3. Run both in parallel

Dendrite → Synapse​

No automated migration. Same options as above.

Synapse → Dendrite​

Experimental migration tools in development.

Decision Matrix​

Score each factor (1-5) based on your needs:

FactorWeightSynapseDendriteConduit
Features_543
Performance_345
Ease of setup_235
Maintenance_245
Scalability_542
Documentation_543
Community_543

Quick Decision Guide​

Hosting Options​

Self-Hosted​

OptionSynapseDendriteConduit
Docker✅ Official✅ Official✅ Official
Kubernetes✅ Helm charts✅ Helm chartsCommunity
Ansible✅ Playbooks✅ PlaybooksCommunity
NixOS✅ Module✅ Module✅ Module

Managed Hosting​

ProviderServerNotes
Element Matrix ServicesSynapseEnterprise support
etke.ccSynapseManaged hosting
ungleichVariousSwiss hosting

Conclusion​

If you want...Choose
Maximum featuresSynapse
Best performance/features balanceDendrite
Easiest setupConduit
Enterprise supportSynapse (EMS)
Minimal footprintConduit
Future-proofDendrite

Next: Bridges Overview →