My favorite client is still Element, but I'll admit to not really being a "mainstream-focused" user. But, I have dabbled a little in Fluffy Chat [https://fluffychat.im], and am encouraged that it might fit the need for many lay users...At least from what I've seen so far (it is still a work in progress, though quite usable).

You don't have to like it, but how is Element not mainstream-focused in its objectives?

Element looks and feels more like a replacement for Discord or Slack than WhatsApp or Messenger. My intention is to build an alternative to the latter two in terms of UI/UX. Something your grandma could use, like Signal, but decentralized and with features like quote replies and message editing.

The goal would be to build a beautiful, private, secure, delightful instant messaging app that happens to run on Matrix, rather than building a Matrix client period. It’d still allow power users to do stuff like federation, but would by default abstract techie/Matrix concepts like homeservers, rooms, and encryption keys.

The "IM" part through me off, as I don't associate that with "sms style" as I might call Signal or WhatsApp.

Wouldn't https://nio.chat qualify?

I’ve actually had a pleasant chat with the developer of Nio regarding working together, but we ended up deciding it’s better to work on separate projects.

Nio is still in very early stages; the developer plans to refactor most of the app and couldn’t commit to a specific timeline or direction for it. On top of that, my vision for a client includes spinning up a (privacy-focused) business and later expanding to web, Android, and PCs.

I don't like it, at least not Element. It pops up 3(!) message boxes at every single login (and I have to login every time because it doesn't remember logins) with no apparent option to permanently disable them.

it doesnt remember logins? this sounds like something is screwed up with the server you use or something. i have logged in once months ago and the session is still goin strong