Lightning

v0.10.1  ·  beta  ·  GPL-3.0-or-later

Lightning writes the interface.The Rust SDK writes the Matrix.

A native desktop Matrix client in Qt 6 and C++20. Group calls with screen sharing that reach Element Call, real threads, Spaces, and search that works inside encrypted rooms. Linux and NixOS first.

Download 0.10.1 Read the source

no telemetry  ·  no server of ours  ·  eight Linux formats

How it is put together

Qt 6 / QML interface, layout, themes, accessibility
C++20 application state, models, routing, policy
matrix-rust-sdk Matrix, E2EE, sync, threads, media
GStreamer voice, video, screen capture

Six things that are unusual

Group calls, with screen sharing

Search inside encrypted rooms

Spaces, and a Channels layout

Threads that are actually threads

A theme editor, not a theme setting

Pictures, video, audio and files

Try the 11 themes

Download

0.10.1 2026-10-11 Release notes →

Linux AppImage and Flatpak carry their own Qt and run anywhere

Flathub Flathub, recommended for most users Flathub
flatpak install flathub org.lightning_matrix.Lightning

Updates arrive through your software centre or flatpak update.

AppImage Any distribution, nothing installed Download
chmod +x Lightning-0.10.1-x86_64.*pp[Ii]mage && ./Lightning-0.10.1-x86_64.*pp[Ii]mage
.flatpak Flatpak (KDE Platform 6.11 runtime) Download
flatpak install --user ./lightning_0.10.1_amd64.flatpak

Manual file: no automatic updates. Flathub is better for most people.

.deb Debian 13+ Download
sudo apt install ./lightning_0.10.1_amd64.deb
.deb Ubuntu 26.04+ / Mint / Pop!_OS Download
sudo apt install ./lightning_0.10.1_ubuntu2604_amd64.deb
COPR Fedora COPR, recommended for Fedora 44 and 45 (x86_64) COPR
sudo dnf copr enable mizerd/lightning-matrix && sudo dnf install lightning-matrix

Updates arrive with dnf upgrade. Replaces the old lightning rpm package.

.rpm Fedora / RHEL / openSUSE Download
sudo dnf install ./lightning-0.10.1-1.x86_64.rpm

Manual file: no automatic updates. On Fedora 44 or 45, use COPR above.

.snap Snap, strict confinement, local file Download
sudo snap install --dangerous ./lightning_0.10.1_amd64.snap

Needs Qt 6.8+. Neither .deb installs on Ubuntu 24.04, Mint 22.x or Pop!_OS 24.04, nor the .rpm on Fedora 43 — older Qt. Use the AppImage or the Flatpak there; both carry their own.

Windows unsigned — Windows will warn you

.msi MSI installer, per-user Download

double-click Lightning-0.10.1-712ed6d-windows-x86_64.msi

.exe Setup EXE, per-user Download

run the installer

.zip Portable ZIP, installs nothing Download

extract anywhere, run Lightning.exe

macOS Apple Silicon, macOS 26+, ad-hoc signed

.zip Apple Silicon, macOS 26 or newer Download

unzip, drag Lightning.app to Applications

Every release ships SHA256SUMS, and the updater's manifest is signed.

Say hello

A chill space for anyone using Lightning or curious about it. Bugs and questions both welcome — here or in the issue tracker.

#lightning:matrix.smetonis.net
Join