Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I trust Redoubt Systems with my communications?

Fair question. Redoubt Systems is intentionally small and directly accountable for the service it provides. We are funded by customer subscriptions, not advertising or data mining. We also use end-to-end encryption by default, which means your messages are encrypted on your device before they ever reach our servers. We cannot read your communications even if we wanted to.

Who is Redoubt Systems for?

Redoubt is built for small organizations and independent communities that want private team communication without running their own server. That can include churches and ministries, nonprofits, volunteer organizations, homeschool groups, professional offices, and small businesses that value privacy and independence.

Why not just self-host?

Self-hosting Matrix requires ongoing system administration: security updates, backup management, certificate renewal, storage scaling, and troubleshooting. Most small organizations don't have the time or expertise to do this reliably. We handle all of that so you can focus on your work, not your infrastructure.

Why not use Slack, Discord, or Microsoft Teams?

Those platforms are excellent tools, but they come with tradeoffs: your data may be used to support advertising or analytics, you're subject to changing terms of service, your communications live on shared infrastructure, and you have limited control over data retention or access policies. Redoubt Systems gives your organization its own private communication environment.

What happens if you shut down or stop operating?

We provide data export tools and will give customers at least 90 days notice before any service discontinuation. Your instance runs on open-source software (Matrix/Synapse), so your data and workflow are not locked into a proprietary system. You can migrate to self-hosting or another provider.

Can you read my messages?

No. End-to-end encryption is enabled by default. Messages are encrypted on your device and can only be decrypted by intended recipients. We cannot access the content of your communications.

What if I need more users or storage than my plan includes?

You can upgrade to a higher tier at any time. If you need custom limits beyond our standard plans, contact us about an Extended plan.

Why does the smallest plan start at $99/month?

Every Redoubt plan includes a dedicated private messaging environment, managed hosting, updates, backups, and operational maintenance. We do not place your organization on a shared public server or fund the service through advertising, analytics, or data collection.

How quickly can I get set up?

Once payment is confirmed, your instance is typically provisioned within 24 hours. You'll receive access credentials and a link to your web interface. Setup is straightforward—no technical expertise required.

Do I need to install anything?

No. Redoubt Systems includes a web-based chat interface that works in any modern browser. If your team wants to use Matrix-compatible mobile apps (like Element), those are available but optional.

What's included in support?

Starter plans include documentation-based self-service support. Community and Community Complete plans include email support with a 2 business day response time. Organization plans receive priority support with a 1 business day response time. See our Support Policy for details.

Why Flokinet?

We host through Flokinet, a provider purpose-built for privacy-sensitive workloads and used by journalists, activists, and organizations where confidentiality matters. We select hosting locations for their strong data protection laws — Flokinet operates in jurisdictions outside major intelligence-sharing alliances, adding practical insulation beyond what encryption alone provides. You can read more on our infrastructure page.

Is this compliant with GDPR/privacy regulations?

Our infrastructure is operated through Flokinet in jurisdictions chosen for strong data protection laws. That said, there's an important distinction: Redoubt Systems is the infrastructure provider (the data processor), and your organization is the data controller responsible for your users. That's actually a feature, not a limitation — it means your data belongs to you, not us.

For individual user deletion within your instance, your administrator can remove accounts through the admin panel. Due to end-to-end encryption, messages already received and decrypted on other users' devices cannot be recalled — this is a fundamental property of encrypted messaging, not a policy choice.

Can my instance communicate with other Matrix servers?

No. Each Redoubt Systems instance is intentionally not federated. This ensures complete isolation and prevents data leakage. Your communications stay within your organization.