Hi,
I’m searching for an “noob-proof” matrix messenger that is supposed to replace WhatsApp.
It should have E2EE enabled by default and a backup/restore function for contacts, chats and settings (preferably local backup, but nextcloud would be fine aswell).
It would be nice if you could also mention matrix clients that work on iOS, Linux and Windows as well (if there are any), since not all of my contacts use android or are always reachable per phone.
Happy to hear your recommendations and experiences.
Thank you!
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fluffychat just because of the name.
As for cross platform, there are Element and FluffyChat. There is also nheko I can recommend for desktop and cinny on web. Here is a comparison between different clients fyi.
If you don’t insist on matrix, Snikket might be a good option too.
Yeah. Conversations.im and its sibling quicksy.im (as service+app bundles) are fine for android but not iOS unless you can assist with setup.
Snikket is an effort to create a deployable service+app bundle using a relabelled conversations app on android, something else on iOS, to the end user all appearing as preconfigured coherent bundle. They have plans for whitelabel hosting.
Not sure what snikket has planned for desktop - there’s some promising browser based xmpp clients in development.
The new UI for Gajim seems great too
Just start with Element for android and IOS these are your options.
Edit: maybe Schildi for windows
Fluffy chat is by far the easiest as it behaves more like an Instant Messenger with less focus on groups which is what makes element confusing. There’s also much easier key handling and verification across devices. For anyone using a mainstream app like WhatsApp, element is a mess…confusing as hell.
Does Fluffychat support voice/video?
Unfortunately no voice, that is not ideal:(
Unfortunately voice and video are non-negotiable for my use-case, so for now I’m sticking to Element and/or SchildiChat.
As someone who uses Element, this is music to my ears. Great install choices too! (Links taken from <a href=“https://fluffychat.im/”>fluffy.im</a>, I’m just messing around with styling in the post)
<style> .smallimg img { width: 20%; height: 20%; } </style>
<div class=“smallimg”> Mobile App:<br> <a href=“https://apps.apple.com/app/fluffychat/id1551469600”><img src=“https://i.imgur.com/xCD3zW4.png” /></a> <a href=“https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=chat.fluffy.fluffychat”><img src=“https://i.imgur.com/ckEP22u.png” /></a> <a href=“https://f-droid.org/de/packages/chat.fluffy.fluffychat/”><img src=“https://i.imgur.com/TWX93TU.png” /></a> </div>
<br>
<div class=“smallimg”> Desktop:<br> <a href=“https://fluffychat.im/web”><img src=“https://i.imgur.com/dJ8285u.png” /></a> <a href=“https://snapcraft.io/fluffychat”><img src=“https://i.imgur.com/dTZDwVW.png” /></a> <a href=“https://flathub.org/apps/details/im.fluffychat.Fluffychat”><img src=“https://i.imgur.com/Nvc8YjE.png” /></a> </div>
This comment proves Web 3.0 is here.
How so?
Comments have download buttons. It is like a mini webpage within comments. Explodes my mind as a millenial who has used the internet for so long.
idk, it’s just markdown, that’s nothing new.
Yeah but I have not seen such comments on Reddit, Twitter, Telegram or all these platforms. Maybe it is just my old POV, but I find it fascinating.
Been browsing reddit semi regularly since atleast 2009 and have never seen any DL buttons in comments. I also found it novel.
Like everyone is saying, Element. But I wouldn’t call it noob-proof in that it would help if you initially set it up and added the people that matter
I was about to set up my family on matrix, but XMPP is way easier. Especially if you wanna self host.
IMO Element is the only client that actually supports enough of the protocol to be useful.
Imo Nheko is pretty good. I mean, at least is not electron and the dev is nice
Not saying Element is the best one, but it is probably best known client for Matrix, with clients for desktop, Android and iOS. When I did my video overview of Matrix at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AVsNqH_-9M, I used Element to show it (that may be of use to familiarise your family with what it looks like.
Even if it’s easy to use, still have to convince them to install something new… You already know that part will be possible?
Installing something new has been possible with Threema (for some) and Signal (for some others). But it has to absolutely nail down usability! Users leave an app they don’t understand in an instant. And TBH it starts with the Service, the Home Server and the App having 3 distinct names. Imagine this to be necessary for people using Whatsapp (app, server, protocol) or Telegram (app, server, protocol). When we really want to increase usage, we have to get better at marketing!
There is a project that lets you synchronize your XMPP contacts with a CardDAV server like Nextcloud: https://gitlab.com/djsumdog/dav-xmpp-sync
XMPP is not Matrix.