Choosing your homeserver
Taking a short amount of time to choose a reliable, quality homeserver can shape your experience on Matrix.
If you are content with the default experience, it is fine to stay on the matrix.org homeserver. Matrix.org is a public homeserver operated by the Matrix Foundation and is a common starting point for new users. You may skip this page or continue reading for a more conceptual understanding of homeservers.
What a homeserver actually does
A homeserver:
- Stores your account’s data
- Stores and forwards the messages you send to other homeservers
- Enforces rules like upload limits, message retention, and moderation policies
- Talks to other servers via federation so everyone sees the same messages.
What to look for when choosing a homeserver
Before settling on a homeserver, it helps to check things such as:
- Physical location (for connection speed)
- Upload limit
- Message retention (how long your data is stored)
- Reliability & Uptime
If you are a casual user, it is recommended to look through a list of public homeservers and choose the closest one to you that fits your needs.
If you have a technical friend in your friend group, they may be able to offer better limits or reliability than many public servers. Just make sure their server setup is reliable before you trust them with your account!
Where to find homeservers
If you want to find homeservers, a good place to start is this website of publicly accessible homeservers. Look at the homeservers that currently allow open registration, and press the blue “create an account” button at the top right of the box that appears.
Make sure to research each homeserver and feel comfortable with your choice.
Can I switch homeservers later?
Yes. many users start on a public homeserver and move later if their needs change.
While switching homeservers isn’t automatic, Matrix gives you the freedom to:
- Create a new account on a different homeserver
- Rejoin rooms and communities
- Keep using the same clients
Because of this, your first homeserver doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to work for you right now.
Next Steps:
If you’d like to continue learning about Matrix, check out the next recommended page:
Understanding & Choosing Clients