# element-hq/synapse

Synapse: Matrix homeserver written in Python/Twisted + Rust

Repository: https://github.com/element-hq/synapse
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/element-hq-synapse
Homepage: https://element-hq.github.io/synapse
Language: Python
License: AGPL-3.0
License Family: copyleft
Last push: 2026-08-26T17:14:02+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 93/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-02T17:46:02.011165+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 98, longevity 71
- inputs: {"age_days": 994, "days_push": 7, "days_rel": 15, "gap_med": 13, "n_releases_24m": 60}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 4558, forks 588 (observed 2026-08-28T04:08:53.412103+00:00)

## What it is
Synapse is the reference Matrix homeserver implementation maintained by Element, written in Python/Twisted with Rust components. It stores accounts and room data, federates with other Matrix servers, and exposes client and federation APIs for secure, interoperable real-time communication.

## Use cases
- self-host a Matrix chat server
- run a federated messaging server for my organization
- host my own chat server instead of Slack or Discord
- bridge messaging across different platforms via Matrix
- set up an encrypted team communication server
- deploy a Matrix homeserver with federation enabled

## When to choose
- you want to self-host Matrix messaging with full federation support
- you need the most mature and widely deployed Matrix homeserver
- you want data ownership and control over your chat infrastructure
- you need interoperability with the broader Matrix ecosystem including Element clients

## When to avoid
- you want a lightweight chat server for a tiny deployment without federation
- you prefer a commercial support-free turnkey solution without configuration work
- you need a Matrix server in a language other than Python, e.g. a Rust-native homeserver like Conduit
- you want managed hosting rather than running your own infrastructure

## Facets
- artifact type: service
- maturity: stable
- function: http-server, websocket, api-framework, auth, cryptography
- domain: self-hosted, backend, privacy
- platform: python, self-hosted
- tags: matrix, homeserver, federation, chat, twisted, rust, instant-messaging, decentralized, messaging, real-time, linux, docker, web-server

## Member repositories
- element-hq/synapse (main) score 93

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:08:53.412103+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-29T18:20:01.391872+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/element-hq/synapse (fetched 2026-08-28T04:08:53.412103+00:00, sha 099c191a9436)
  - homepage: https://element-hq.github.io/synapse (fetched 2026-08-29T09:05:39.140047+00:00, sha 75f99707b50f)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.