Recs.
Updated
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Supports end-to-end encryption
Matrix features end-to-end encrypted chats which are synchronized across all your devices. E2E is implemented in the matrix-js-sdk library and Riot.im client.
Pro Can be integrated with existing communication services
Matrix is designed to support Instant Messaging, VoIP/WebRTC signalling and Internet of Things communication and allows cross-communication between those services. Meaning one person could be using IRC and another Slack for IMs, or one person could be using Skype and another Google Hangouts for videoconferencing.
Pro Android application works including push and voice/video e2e encrypted calls
Pro iOS application works including push and voice/video e2e encrypted calls
Cons
Con Can only "redact" a posted message but neither "delete" nor "edit" it
Update: Editing is now possible.
The ability to edit a posted message is a powerful feature that has come to be expected since the rise of social media. Several other major chat platforms include this feature. Matrix.org's protocols enable you to "redact" a message (mark it as redacted whereas it is removed from view), but not truly delete or edit it. Deletion and editing are in the works, but in the meantime... CON.
Recommendations
Comments
Flagged Pros + Cons
Pro End-to-end encryption
Matrix features end-to-end encrypted chats which are syncronized accross all your devices.
E2E is [implemented in the matrix-js-sdk library and Riot.im client](http://matrix.org/git/olm/about, http://matrix.org/git/olm/tree/docs/megolm.rst, http://matrix.org/speculator/spec/drafts%252Fe2e/client_server/unstable.html#end-to-end-encryption).
Pro Can be used without a phone
Matrix allows full desktop / web access without a dependency to a smartphone that has to be online.
Pro Bridges other networks into a single decentralised network
Matrix has bridges to IRC (freenode, moznet, oftc, snoonet etc), Slack, Gitter, Rocket.Chat, XMPP, SMS, SIP and others. The point is to 'matrix' all the different networks out there into one single decentralised network.
Pro Supports different kinds of communication
Matrix is designed to support Instant Messaging, VoIP/WebRTC signalling (voice and video) and Internet of Things communication.
Pro Has replies in group chats.
You can reply to specific messages in group chats, and ping ppl too.
Con Matrix protocol is not a software
Rate on Riot.im instead, which is a matrix client.
Con User Interface of stable clients not easy to learn for "non-IT-people"
The user interface of the most popular clients can confuse the test-users in your company (even devs or sysadmins) with lots of verification requests, too many buttons.
Out of Date Pros + Cons
Con There is no administration interface
For example: You have to use the rest api to manage users and channels.