Matrix (protocol)

Matrix
Communication protocol
[matrix]
PurposeFederated messaging and data synchronization
Developer(s)The Matrix.org Foundation CIC
IntroductionSeptember 2014; 10 years ago (2014-09)[1][failed verification]
Based onHTTP, WebRTC
OSI layerapplication layer
Port(s)unknown value
Websitematrix.org

Matrix (sometimes stylized as [matrix]) is an open standard and communication protocol for real-time communication.[2] It aims to make real-time communication work seamlessly between different service providers, in the way that standard Simple Mail Transfer Protocol email currently does for store-and-forward email service, by allowing users with accounts at one communications service provider to communicate with users of a different service provider via online chat, voice over IP, and videotelephony. It therefore serves a similar purpose to protocols like XMPP, but is not based on any existing communication protocol.

From a technical perspective, it is an application layer communication protocol for federated real-time communication. It provides HTTP APIs and open source reference implementations for securely distributing and persisting messages in JSON format over an open federation of servers.[3][4] It can integrate with standard web services via WebRTC, facilitating browser-to-browser applications.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ermoshina-2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "What Is the Matrix Protocol and How Does It Work?". MUO. 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference lwn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference drdobbs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).