Matrix is similar to WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram: chat, call, exchange files and more. But because Matrix is decentralised and open, it offers a few very important advantages over the competition.
No wonder more and more organisations that need digital independence and security (universities, healthcare organisations, ministeries of Defense and even NATO) use Matrix.
In contrast to WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram, Matrix isn't one big system that's managed by one organisation, but a network of independent systems.
Just as in e-mail everybody can their own server and join the network. On your own server you reign supreme: you make the rules and decide who gets access.
In Matrix everything is open: source code of clients and servers, and the protocol. This means that (if you can read source code) you can determine exactly what the server and the client does.
For those who can program it means they can modify and extend the code of both server and client.
Matrix uses end-to-end encryption ("E2EE"), so nobody can snoop on your communication. Not even the server administrator!
Using your own server you can be sure there's no ads or tracking, and that your data isn't sold. On top of that, you can't suddenly be denied access because of (inter)national developtments.
Speak about Digital Autonomy!
Contrary to other messengers, in the world of Matrix there's a cornucopia of clients to choose from.
Users of Android and iPhone mobiles will find ElementX in their respective app stores, the most popular client.
On your Mac, Windows or Linux desktop, you can use Element Desktop, and if you don't want to install anything at all, you can simply point your browser at the webinterface.