When comparing Matrix vs Cryptomator, the Slant community recommends Cryptomator for most people. In the question“What are the best tools/apps/extensions to help keep my data private?” Cryptomator is ranked 5th while Matrix is ranked 6th.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Built on an open standard
Matrix is an open standard, defining simple HTTP APIs so that devs can easily write their own clients, bots, bridges or servers. You're not locked into a specific set of implementations.
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 Has an easy to use client called Riot
Riot.im is the easiest way to use Matrix, with great clients for Web, iOS and Android (and Fdroid).
Pro Does not require a centralized server to establish a connection between two users
Matrix is decentralized, there's no one central point that the information goes through and so no once central point of failure or control.
Pro Matrix prioritizes direct messaging with people the same as Slack-style groups
Matrix aims to "provide an analogous ecosystem to email - one where you can communicate with pretty much anyone, without caring what app or server they are using" using a neutral identity system.
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 an app store for 3rd party integrations & bots
Riot.im includes an app store with integrations for Github, JIRA, Jenkins, Giphy etc - and anyone can add more via Matrix.
Pro Offers choice of clients
Which can be found here.
Pro Maintains full conversation history
Pro Has an active community behind it
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 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.
Pro Free and open source
Pro Transparent encryption
Pro Works with any cloud platform
Works with any cloud-based services, including Dropbox and Google Drive.
Pro Fast encryption and decryption
Pro Virtual hard drive file access
Drag and drop.
Pro Client-side
No accounts. No backdoors.
Pro AES individual file encryption
Pro Passphrase bruteforce protection (scrypt)
Pro Multi-platform
Available for Windows, Mac and Linux on desktop and iOS, Android for mobile.
Cons
Con Keys cannot be checked automatically
You cannot automatically check keys of your recipients. Only manually.
Con Android version is paid
Con Bugs with deleting of files
Sometimes files cannot be deleted and there is no working solution/fix available yet
Con Current WebDAV is a buggy on Windows
The used WebDAV implemention shows wrong available capacity and has a limitation in the file size. The developers are aware of these problems and working on a better solution.
Con Compatible with Android versions 4.3 and up only
Con Slower speeds
Encypting speeds are slower then regular uploads, larger files particularly video files often cannot complete transfer without errors.
Con No camera upload functionality
Cannot automatically back up photos on mobile devices replacing the need for Google drive or iOS fully. User then has to go and either manually select photos for upload or use cloud service and then encrypt defeating the purpose on mobile clients.