Fluffychat

Open source alternative to Threema, Wire, Element and Telegram

3.3K stars
AGPL-3.0
Active this week
Last commit today

Last verified Oct 31, 2026

Connect on the Matrix network with FluffyChat, a non-profit, end-to-end encrypted messenger with video calls and decentralized self-hosting.

Visit website GitHub3.3K Deploy on Hostinger

Read the full breakdownWho it is for, how it works, trade-offs, the quick start and the FAQ

who it's for

Who Fluffychat is for#

Privacy-focused users moving off Telegram

Users who want verifiable end-to-end encryption with no central company holding their metadata. FluffyChat provides the same group chats, voice messages, and file sharing as Telegram on a protocol where any server operator can verify the encryption independently.

Skip if:

Skip if you rely on Telegram-specific features like bots, channels with millions of subscribers, or its sticker ecosystem. Those do not transfer to Matrix, and onboarding contacts requires them to create a Matrix account.

Organizations self-hosting their messaging infrastructure

Teams in healthcare, legal, or regulated industries that need messages stored on their own servers. FluffyChat works with any Matrix homeserver, so IT departments can deploy Synapse internally and give employees a polished cross-platform client without per-seat licensing fees.

Skip if:

Skip if your organization has no server administration capacity. The Matrix homeserver requires Linux server management; there is no zero-ops self-hosted path for the backend component.

European teams avoiding big tech messaging dependencies

Built by a European volunteer community, FluffyChat targets users seeking independence from big tech messaging monopolies. Infrastructure is funded by European donors and operated independently, making it suitable for teams that need GDPR-aligned messaging with no US data routing.

Skip if:

Skip if your contacts are not on Matrix and are unwilling to sign up. Migrating from WhatsApp or iMessage adds friction for every contact who needs to create a new account.

Communities running public channels and group spaces

Non-profits, open source projects, and hobby communities that want public discussion channels without platform risk. FluffyChat supports public rooms with tens of thousands of participants, custom stickers, and moderation tools on the decentralized Matrix network, with no platform owner who can shut down your community.

Skip if:

Skip if you need mature bot integrations or workflow automation. Matrix bots exist but the ecosystem is less developed than Slack or Discord for automated team workflows.

the problem

The problem it solves#

Most popular messaging apps operate as proprietary services where your conversations flow through servers owned and controlled by a single company. WhatsApp, iMessage, and Telegram each run walled gardens: switching apps means leaving your contacts behind, and you have no way to independently verify their encryption implementations or data retention policies.

For teams and communities that need genuine end-to-end encryption with cross-device verification, the challenge is that proprietary messengers frequently encrypt message content while leaving metadata in plaintext on centralized servers. Organizations in healthcare, legal, or government contexts face an additional pain point: they cannot demonstrate data sovereignty with a third-party hosted service, and building custom messaging infrastructure from scratch is prohibitively expensive.

how Fluffychat solves it

How it solves it#

End-to-End Encryption with Key Verification

Uses olm/megolm encryption with emoji verification for cross-signing devices. Encrypted chat backup keeps your message history recoverable across devices without exposing plaintext to the server. Key cross-signing lets users confirm device identity manually, providing cryptographic assurance closed-source apps cannot match.

Matrix Protocol Interoperability

Built on the open Matrix protocol, so FluffyChat users can send messages to anyone on any Matrix homeserver including those running Element, Nheko, Cinny, or NeoChat. There is no walled garden: one account reaches the entire federated Matrix network regardless of which server hosts your account.

Video Calls and Voice Messages

Direct one-on-one calls and group video conferences use Matrix RTC-compatible encryption, keeping calls private end-to-end. Voice messages are supported for asynchronous audio communication. Both features run on the Matrix federation layer and work across homeservers.

Self-Hosted Homeserver Support

Connects to any Matrix homeserver, including self-hosted instances running Synapse or Conduit. Organizations can host their own server and keep all message data on their own infrastructure, with FluffyChat as the cross-platform client. No vendor lock-in: switching homeservers is supported without losing your account.

Public Channels, Spaces, and Moderation Tools

Supports public channels with tens of thousands of participants, polls, and feature-rich moderation tools. Spaces organize multiple rooms into a unified directory, similar to Discord servers or Slack workspaces, but running on open decentralized infrastructure anyone can join or host.

Cross-Platform Flutter App with MDM Support

Built with Flutter and Dart, FluffyChat runs on Android, iOS, web, Linux, macOS, and Windows from a single codebase. Material You design adapts to system themes. MDM configuration is supported on Android and iOS since v2.10.0, enabling enterprise deployment and policy management.

strengths · trade-offs

Strengths and trade-offs#

Strengths

Non-Profit Volunteer Project with No MonetizationFluffyChat is a nonprofit project developed entirely by volunteers and funded by donations via Ko-fi and Liberapay. There are no subscription fees, no investor interests, and no monetization of user data. The AGPL-3.0 license ensures all modifications are shared back, keeping the project permanently open.
Federation Across the Entire Matrix NetworkUnlike Telegram, Wire, or Threema, FluffyChat connects to a federated network where any two Matrix homeservers exchange messages natively. Users on different servers and different clients (Element, NeoChat, Cinny) communicate freely without needing the same app or the same server.
Auditable Open Source EncryptionThe olm/megolm encryption library is open source and independently auditable. Key cross-signing and emoji verification let users confirm their contacts' devices manually, giving a level of cryptographic assurance that closed-source apps cannot offer because their implementations remain hidden.
Self-Hosted Messaging Without Per-Seat FeesOrganizations can pair FluffyChat with a self-hosted Matrix server (Synapse, Conduit, or Dendrite), keeping all message data inside their own infrastructure. This is a direct alternative to per-seat licensing from Wire for Enterprise or Threema Broadcast, with no recurring vendor fees.

Trade-offs

-526 Open GitHub Issues on a Volunteer-Only TeamThe project carries 526 open GitHub issues as of October 2026. Many are long-standing feature requests or edge-case bugs, but the backlog reflects limited bandwidth from a volunteer-only team with no commercial backing. Users running into niche issues may wait longer for fixes than with commercially maintained messengers.
-AGPL-3.0 Restricts Offering It as a Managed ServiceThe AGPL-3.0 license permits running FluffyChat for internal use, including commercial teams. However, offering it as a hosted service to external customers requires publishing source code for any modifications. Organizations planning to resell or white-label FluffyChat as a managed product must comply with AGPL copyleft terms.
-Matrix Homeserver Setup Requires Server AdministrationRunning your own Matrix homeserver requires server administration knowledge: Synapse needs a PostgreSQL database, a reverse proxy, and ongoing maintenance. FluffyChat itself installs as a standard app, but the full self-hosted backend is not a one-click setup and is not suitable for users without Linux server experience.

versus alternatives

Fluffychat vs alternatives#

FluffyChat vs Telegram

Both apps support large group chats, voice messages, and file sharing, but they operate on fundamentally different architectures. Telegram is a centralized service: all messages route through Telegram's servers, and while it offers end-to-end encryption in Secret Chats, standard group chats are not E2E encrypted. FluffyChat uses the Matrix protocol with olm/megolm E2E encryption, which applies by default to direct messages.

Feature	FluffyChat	Telegram
License	AGPL-3.0	Proprietary (client), closed server
E2E encryption	Default for DMs	Opt-in Secret Chats only
Self-hosting	Yes (Matrix homeserver)	No
Network	Federated Matrix	Centralized
Price	Free, non-profit	Free with optional Premium

FluffyChat is the better choice for users who need verifiable E2E encryption across all conversations or who want to run their own server. Telegram remains stronger for its breadth of bots, large public channels with millions of subscribers, and a more established mobile experience for general audiences.

FluffyChat vs Wire

Wire positions itself as a secure enterprise messenger with a paid Business and Enterprise tier. It supports E2E encryption and offers self-hosted deployment for enterprise customers. FluffyChat covers similar encryption ground with the added advantage of federation: a FluffyChat user on one homeserver can message contacts on a different Matrix homeserver, while Wire users are confined to Wire's network.

Feature	FluffyChat	Wire
License	AGPL-3.0	Proprietary
Self-hosting	Yes (any Matrix server)	Enterprise tier only
Federation	Yes (Matrix)	No
Cost	Free	Free personal; paid Business/Enterprise

FluffyChat is a better fit for organizations that want self-hosted messaging without a per-seat license. Wire's Business tier is worth considering for enterprises that need a commercially supported, vendor-audited product with SLAs rather than a volunteer-maintained open source project.

FluffyChat vs Threema

Threema is a paid Swiss messaging app that emphasizes privacy, anonymity (no phone number required), and end-to-end encryption. It offers Threema Work for organizations at a per-user cost. FluffyChat is free under AGPL-3.0, while Threema charges a one-time fee for the consumer app and ongoing fees for Threema Work.

Feature	FluffyChat	Threema
License	AGPL-3.0	Proprietary
Cost	Free	Paid (consumer and Work tier)
Self-hosting	Yes	Threema On-Premises (paid)
Anonymity	Account required	Anonymous signup

FluffyChat suits users and organizations that want a free, open source messenger with Matrix federation and full source code visibility. Threema is worth considering when anonymous signup is the primary requirement, or when an organization needs a commercially audited product with a vendor support contract.

install · quick start

Quick start#

bash

Download FluffyChat for your platform from GitHub Releases: https://github.com/krille-chan/fluffychat/releases/latest

tech stack · detected from GitHub

What it's built on#

Languages: C++DartRubySwift
Frameworks: Flutter

frequently asked

FAQ#

Is FluffyChat free to use?

Yes. FluffyChat is free to download and use on all platforms. It is a non-profit project funded entirely by donations, with no subscription fees or paid tiers. You can use a free public Matrix homeserver like matrix.org or host your own. The AGPL-3.0 license also permits using the app for internal commercial team communication without paying a license fee.

How is FluffyChat different from Telegram?

FluffyChat runs on the Matrix protocol, which is federated and decentralized: no single company controls the network. Telegram is a centralized service where all messages pass through Telegram's servers. FluffyChat's end-to-end encryption uses olm/megolm and applies by default to direct messages, while Telegram's E2E encryption is opt-in through Secret Chats and does not apply to standard group chats. FluffyChat is also fully open source under AGPL-3.0; Telegram's server code is closed source.

Can I use FluffyChat with other Matrix clients like Element?

Yes. FluffyChat is fully compatible with any Matrix client including Element, Nheko, Cinny, and NeoChat. Your account works across all of them because Matrix is an open federated protocol, not a walled garden. You can switch clients at any time without losing your message history or contacts, and you can message users on different Matrix clients freely.

Does FluffyChat support self-hosted servers?

FluffyChat is a client app you install on your device; it connects to a Matrix homeserver separately. You can point it at any Matrix homeserver, including a self-hosted instance running Synapse, Conduit, or Dendrite. Hosting your own homeserver gives your organization full control over message data and user accounts. The homeserver setup requires Linux server experience, but FluffyChat itself installs like any standard app.

What platforms does FluffyChat run on?

FluffyChat runs on Android, iOS, web, Linux, macOS, and Windows. It is built with Flutter, which means a consistent experience across all platforms from a single codebase. Mobile apps are available through standard app stores; desktop and web builds are available from GitHub Releases and the official website at fluffychat.im.

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Hostinger

Self-host Fluffychat on a Hostinger VPS

Keep it running 24/7, even when your laptop is off. A Hostinger VPS gives it a server of its own.

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Apply
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FluffyChat vs Telegram

Feature	FluffyChat	Telegram
License	AGPL-3.0	Proprietary (client), closed server
E2E encryption	Default for DMs	Opt-in Secret Chats only
Self-hosting	Yes (Matrix homeserver)	No
Network	Federated Matrix	Centralized
Price	Free, non-profit	Free with optional Premium

FluffyChat vs Wire

Feature	FluffyChat	Wire
License	AGPL-3.0	Proprietary
Self-hosting	Yes (any Matrix server)	Enterprise tier only
Federation	Yes (Matrix)	No
Cost	Free	Free personal; paid Business/Enterprise

FluffyChat vs Threema

Feature	FluffyChat	Threema
License	AGPL-3.0	Proprietary
Cost	Free	Paid (consumer and Work tier)
Self-hosting	Yes	Threema On-Premises (paid)
Anonymity	Account required	Anonymous signup