This simple comparison wants to help everyone adopt alternative messaging technology, Matrix, with suitable user interface to them. We call Matrix Apps to instant messengers like Element, Fluffy, Nheko, Schildi and Spectral as they are created based upon the said technology. We will start by setting up criteria first that includes chat bubbles, then going through these messengers one by one, and you will see their pictures here along with a little comments from me. I hope you can pick up the messenger with UI you love the most from here.

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Criteria

This comparison is written by me who use Telegram. Anyone who use WhatsApp, Signal, Delta, Jami and other messengers would understand in no time. Another valid comparison is Movim from another decentralization choice XMPP. This comparison views that a good UI should:

1. Limit text length (dialog balloons). 

Too long text length decreases or destroys readability. Your chats will be difficult to read. Free space are important.

2. Hides unnecessary text, or be able to.

Ability to hide joined/left and other non-chat messages are important.

3. Shrinks left panel, or be able to.

This helps both user's privacy and chatroom's space.

4. Has context menu to reply.

Right-click or hover button to reply is important.

5. Limits picture length. 

Screen-wide pictures disturb chats, see number 1.

All screenshots presented below display hidden left sidebar if the messengers supports it except those which do not. Here we go!

Element (Web)

Login: app.element.io

1. Bubbles? No.

2. Hide Tech Text? Yes, but disabled by default.

3. Hide Sidebar? Yes.

4. Reply Menu? No.

5. Shrink Pictures? No.

FluffyChat (Web)

Login: fluffychat.im/web

1. Bubbles? Yes.

2. Hide tech text? No.

3. Hide sidebar? No.

4. Reply menu? No.

5. Shrink pictures? Yes.  

Note: Fluffy offers more normal messenger experience with chat bubbles (balloons) and limited width of both text and pictures but it cannot shrink left panel at the moment. However, Fluffy has a "unique" way in replying that is not using right-click not hover button either but with click-to-show-bottom-menu instead.

Nheko Reborn (Desktop)

1. Bubbles? No.

2. Hide tech text? No.

3. Hide sidebar? Yes.

4. Reply menu? Yes.

5. Shrink pictures? Yes.

Note: Nheko repeats Element's user interface which is IRC styled however its left panel can be shrunk.

Login: app.schildi.chat

1. Bubbles? Yes.

2. Hide tech text? Yes, for joined/left only.

3. Hide sidebar? Yes.

4. Reply menu? Yes.

5. Shrink pictures? Yes.

Note: Schildi looks like what Element must be from a normal messenger user's point of view.

Spectral (Desktop)

Download: spectral.im

1. Bubbles? Yes, but looks imperfect.

2. Hide tech text? No.

3. Hide sidebar? No.

4. Reply menu? Yes. 

5. Shrink pictures? No.

Note: Spectral uses bubbles already but without limiting each width, and its left panel cannot be shrunk, and this resulting in same user interface issues with the IRC-styled Element.
 

Conclusion

The most satisfying messenger's user interface according to this article is SchildiChat thanks to its fulfillment to the 5 criteria above. These apps can still change in the future but for now we recommend Schildi for everyone who wants experience similar to normal messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram for Matrix. Congratulations Schildi developers for successfully making it this way!