Project Onyx

Communication, Redefined.

A modern platform for communities — real-time messaging, crystal-clear voice, and total control over your space.

Built for gaming groups, dev teams, creators, and private communities who want control without compromise.

End-to-End Encrypted

Your Messages Are
Nobody's Business

Every conversation is encrypted on your device before it ever reaches our servers. Built on the same open standards trusted by security researchers and governments worldwide.

Zero-Compromise
Privacy by Design

Onyx is built on the Matrix protocol's Megolm algorithm — the same open standard trusted by governments, journalists, and security researchers worldwide. Encryption and decryption happen locally on your device. We provide secure cloud backup of your session keys so you can restore access on any new device, effortlessly.

  • Device-Level Encryption Messages encrypt before leaving your device. Our servers receive — and can only store — ciphertext they cannot decipher.
  • Seamless Cross-Device Access Sign in on a new device and your history unlocks automatically. No recovery phrases to memorize or type.
  • Session Key Rotation Each conversation generates independent session keys. A compromise of one session cannot expose messages from any other session.
  • Open & Auditable Built on Matrix's published Megolm spec. No black boxes, no proprietary crypto — anyone can verify how it works.
How end-to-end encryption protects every message
Your Device Holds your private key
Encrypt locally
Ciphertext x9K#2mP!8vQ…
Sent over network
Onyx Server Stores & relays — cannot read
Delivered encrypted
Ciphertext x9K#2mP!8vQ…
Decrypt locally
Their Device Decrypts with their private key

Protected Message Store

Messages are stored as encrypted ciphertext on our servers. Your session keys are securely backed up server-side so you can restore access on any new device without losing your history — no passphrases to memorize.

Effortless New Devices

Your encryption keys sync securely to new devices behind the scenes. Sign in and your full message history is simply there — no setup, no codes.

Session Key Isolation

Fresh encryption keys are generated for every conversation session. A compromise of one session's keys cannot expose messages from any other session — your conversations stay isolated from each other.

Megolm Algorithm

The Matrix protocol's Megolm encryption is openly published, independently audited, and deployed in millions of production environments worldwide.

Everything you need

Built from the ground up for modern communities.

Real-Time Messaging

Instant messages with threads, reactions, file sharing, and rich embeds.

Voice & Video

Crystal-clear voice channels powered by LiveKit with screen sharing.

Scheduled Events

Plan community gatherings, game nights, or AMAs — members get reminded automatically when it's time.

Roles & Permissions

29 granular permission flags, custom roles with colors, full hierarchy control.

Smart Notifications

Desktop notifications, mentions, per-channel unreads — never miss what matters.

Your Community, Your Rules

Custom roles, invite links, temp bans, mutes, audit logs, and an analytics dashboard — every tool you need to run a healthy community.

See it in action

A familiar interface, rebuilt for performance and privacy.

+
Text Channels
general
announcements
dev-talk
Voice
Lounge
general
Alice
Hey everyone! The new update looks amazing.
Bob
Agreed! Voice quality is noticeably better too.
Charlie
Can't wait for the desktop app!
Message #general
Online — 3
Alice
Bob
Charlie

Built for communities that demand more.

Why Project Onyx?

More than just another chat app.

Privacy First

Your conversations stay private. Onyx is built on Matrix with end-to-end encryption.

Community Supported

No ads, no data selling. Onyx is funded directly by supporters who believe in better communication — your conversations are never the product.

Built for Scale

Worker-based architecture handles thousands of concurrent users without breaking a sweat.

What's Coming

We're building in public — here's a look at where we're headed.

Project Onyx Roadmap
✓ Live Now
Real-time messaging
Voice & screen sharing
End-to-end encryption
Message reactions & GIFs
Member profiles & badges
Custom server emoji
Message search
Scheduled events
Server analytics
Custom status messages
Roles & permissions
Desktop app
In Progress
Mobile browser support
Server audit log
◯ Coming Soon
Server discovery
Polls & surveys
Bot & webhook integration
Native mobile apps

Under the Hood

Modern, battle-tested technologies at every layer.

Frontend

React

UI Framework

TypeScript

Type Safety

Tailwind CSS

Styling

Vite

Build Tool
Backend & Protocol

Matrix

Protocol

Synapse

Backend

Nginx

Reverse Proxy

PostgreSQL

Database
Real-Time

LiveKit

Voice & Video

Valkey

Cache & Pub/Sub

coturn

TURN/STUN Relay

Electron

Desktop App Available

Get the Desktop App

Native performance, system notifications, and auto-updates.

Download for Windows.exe installer Linux & macOSComing soon

v1.2.0 · Windows 10+ (64-bit)

Ready to switch?

Join Project Onyx today — it's free.

Create Account

Early Access — Project Onyx is actively evolving. You may encounter rough edges as we continue building.

We don't sell your data. Ever.