ChatStack — own Matrix Messenger with Bridges
Self-hosted Matrix homeserver (Synapse + Element Web) on own VPS — with WhatsApp, Signal, Discord and Telegram bridges. A real GDPR alternative to WhatsApp/Slack for SMEs. Branded per client.
- Uptime
- 14+ months
- Bridges live
- 4 / 4
- Hosting cost
- €41 /mo
- Transport
- TLS 1.3
Why your own messenger?
WhatsApp is Meta’s. Slack is Salesforce’s. Teams is Microsoft’s. Each can change pricing, features or privacy terms — you either agree or migrate. With Matrix, everything is yours: server, data, user management.
ChatStack is my Matrix homeserver package — pre-configured, tested, reproducible. My own instance runs as a proof at 3motibot.de and shows that sovereignty in messaging is possible without loss of comfort. For client projects, ChatStack is rolled out under your own domain with your branding — your logo in the Element client, your login screen, your rules.
Technical content
Matrix Synapse as homeserver, Element Web client, PostgreSQL 16 (isolated DB per bridge), four mautrix bridges (WhatsApp, Signal, Discord, Telegram), Nginx with Let’s Encrypt TLS, UFW + fail2ban + Crowdsec. Docker network isolation — bridges have no external ports.
Why interesting for you?
Scenario A — SME as WhatsApp replacement: you want internal team communication off WhatsApp (Meta risk, no business-use per TOS) without forcing Slack on your team. Own Matrix + WhatsApp bridge = employees continue chatting with external WhatsApp contacts, internal communication stays sovereign.
Scenario B — customer communication per GDPR: law firms, medical practices, tax advisers that want to run cleanly documented, GDPR-compliant customer chats.
Scenario C — remote teams with bridges to existing tools.
The offering
ChatStack setup including desired bridges, TLS, security hardening, user management, 30 days of post-launch support.
- Typical setup: €2,900-6,900 one-off (depending on bridge count + SSO requirements)
- Running hosting: from €15/month on a VPS
- Optional: retainer for maintenance + updates
Outcomes
- Own messenger domain live at 3motibot.de
- Four bridges in production — WhatsApp, Signal, Discord, Telegram from one UI
- PostgreSQL isolated per bridge, Docker-internal network isolation
- End-to-end encryption, TLS, UFW, fail2ban
- Full technical stack documented, fully reproducible
ChatStack for your organisation?
Whether WhatsApp replacement, GDPR-compliant client communication or remote-team hub — I define the setup scope in a free 2h kickoff and you receive a scope memo with fixed price. No blind-flight quotes.
Request a kickoff