I love the Matrix protocol, but it seems every desktop client for it sucks in some way. Clients like Element are the most feature-rich by far, but are webapps running on Electron. Everyone knows the issues with this, but it also makes for a very inconsistent experience with the rest of your interface. There are native Matrix clients, but they are all lacking in various features, from things as basic as E2EE to voice and video.
Interestingly, FluffyChat seems to be the best mobile client, even supporting push notifications withoyt Google Play Services.
Anyway, I guess I need to learn more about programming so I can fork Fractal.
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If there is a desktop client you like, but it doesn't have E2E, you might consider using it with pantalaimon. I'm using ement.el successfully this way.
There is a good TUI client called gomuks, if that is something you would be interested in.
Otherwise, on desktop, I use a web client in my existing web browser, which avoids the extra overhead of electron. Element is fine, but Cinny is also nice and a bit lighter.
I also agree that FluffyChat is the nicest Android client; Schilde Chat is also good.
Well, well, I, I even failed to get a matrix account :-) I tried several times, but I did not get enough google credits or whatever. So I have to hang out in the bar, while the chatting is going on in the Matrix room. Fine with me.
How flexible is the matrix protocol? Can one take an existing IM client (like pidgin) and write a matrix connector for it?
Just out of curiosity, what's your opinion on XMPP/Jabber?