Quick Summary
Signal
Encrypted messaging via signal-cli daemon
- End-to-end encryption
- Group support
- Media attachments
Matrix
Decentralized Matrix protocol support
- Decentralized/federated
- End-to-end encryption
- Thread support
Capability Comparison
| Capability | Signal | Matrix |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Messages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Group Chats | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Media Messages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Voice Messages | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Reactions | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Thread Support | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Native Commands | — No | — No |
| Text Limit | 4096 chars | 4096 chars |
| Protocol | signal-cli (external daemon) | matrix-bot-sdk |
Access Control Policies
Signal
DM Policies
allowlistpairingopen
Group Policies
allowlistopen
Matrix
DM Policies
allowlistpairingopen
Group Policies
allowlistopen
Best Use Cases
Choose Signal for:
- Privacy-focused assistant
- Secure team communication
- Journalism/activism
- Healthcare communication
Choose Matrix for:
- Privacy-focused teams
- Open source communities
- Self-hosted environments
Use with AI Providers
Both channels work with all OpenClaw AI providers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for AI assistants, Signal or Matrix?
Both work well with OpenClaw. Signal is better for privacy-focused assistant, while Matrix excels at privacy-focused teams. Consider your audience and feature requirements.
Can I use both Signal and Matrix with OpenClaw?
Yes! OpenClaw supports multiple channels simultaneously. You can connect the same AI assistant to both Signal and Matrix, allowing users to interact through their preferred platform.
Which has better group chat support?
Both support group chats. Signal uses allowlist, open policies, while Matrix uses allowlist, open.