Quite. I have yet to manage a verification between clients.

I have had all variations of clients ignoring requests, reporting requests only for the requesting client to ignore the response. Both ends quitting declaring that the other end cancelled, asking for the other end to input a code while the other end shows no interface for doing so.

It marked the end of me using Matrix as a platform. I'd go back to the old IRC channels if there were anyone still there.

I have never failed at that. Worst case I type my recovery key and done.

I still have my encrypted messages available from 2020

People still use IRC

If by bit different you mean absolute nightmare then yes

imho it's the best out there

- no unnecessary coupling to a phone client

- no coupling to any other client - I can just put my recovery key in and be verified without having to deal with other apps.