diff --git a/lib/config/setting_keys.dart b/lib/config/setting_keys.dart
index 62ff4f4..2071e8a 100644
--- a/lib/config/setting_keys.dart
+++ b/lib/config/setting_keys.dart
@@ -59,6 +59,11 @@ enum AppSettings<T> {
   ),
   // colorSchemeSeed stored as ARGB int
   colorSchemeSeedInt<int>('chat.fluffy.color_scheme_seed', 0xFF00D084),
+
+  /// When false the chosen seed color is used verbatim as the theme primary
+  /// color. When true the Material 3 tonal palette is used instead, which
+  /// softens it.
+  softenThemeColor<bool>('chat.fluffy.soften_theme_color', false),
   emojiSuggestionLocale<String>('emoji_suggestion_locale', ''),
   enableSoftLogout<bool>('chat.fluffy.enable_soft_logout', true),
   enableMatrixNativeOIDC<bool>('chat.fluffy.enable_matrix_native_oidc', true),
diff --git a/lib/config/tatu_palette.dart b/lib/config/tatu_palette.dart
index 4d10f09..ad17988 100644
--- a/lib/config/tatu_palette.dart
+++ b/lib/config/tatu_palette.dart
@@ -97,7 +97,14 @@ abstract class TatuPalette {
   /// When a [seed] is provided (e.g. a color chosen by the user or a system
   /// dynamic color), its tonal values are used for the primary family while
   /// the brand surfaces, accent and error colors are preserved.
-  static ColorScheme scheme(Brightness brightness, [Color? seed]) {
+  ///
+  /// Unless [softenPrimary] is set, the seed is used verbatim as the primary
+  /// color, because the Material 3 tonal palette noticeably dulls it down.
+  static ColorScheme scheme(
+    Brightness brightness, [
+    Color? seed,
+    bool softenPrimary = false,
+  ]) {
     final isDark = brightness == Brightness.dark;
     final p = isDark ? _dark : _light;
     final base = ColorScheme.fromSeed(
@@ -106,12 +113,17 @@ abstract class TatuPalette {
       dynamicSchemeVariant: DynamicSchemeVariant.rainbow,
     );
     final useBrandPrimary = seed == null;
+    // Only force the exact color when the caller did not ask for the soft
+    // Material 3 palette. `null` here means "keep the value from [base]".
+    final exactPrimary = !useBrandPrimary && !softenPrimary ? seed : null;
     return base.copyWith(
-      primary: useBrandPrimary ? p.primary : null,
-      onPrimary: useBrandPrimary ? p.onPrimary : null,
+      primary: useBrandPrimary ? p.primary : exactPrimary,
+      onPrimary: useBrandPrimary
+          ? p.onPrimary
+          : (exactPrimary == null ? null : _contrastOn(exactPrimary)),
       primaryContainer: useBrandPrimary ? p.primaryContainer : null,
       onPrimaryContainer: useBrandPrimary ? p.onPrimaryContainer : null,
-      surfaceTint: useBrandPrimary ? p.primary : null,
+      surfaceTint: useBrandPrimary ? p.primary : exactPrimary,
       secondary: p.secondary,
       onSecondary: p.onSecondary,
       secondaryContainer: p.secondaryContainer,
@@ -141,6 +153,12 @@ abstract class TatuPalette {
       surfaceBright: p.surfaceBright,
     );
   }
+
+  /// Picks the readable foreground for an arbitrary background color.
+  static Color _contrastOn(Color background) =>
+      ThemeData.estimateBrightnessForColor(background) == Brightness.dark
+      ? Colors.white
+      : Colors.black;
 }
 
 class _Scheme {
@@ -209,4 +227,4 @@ class _Scheme {
   final Color surfaceHighest;
   final Color surfaceDim;
   final Color surfaceBright;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/lib/config/themes.dart b/lib/config/themes.dart
index 839f0d9..e9b2f64 100644
--- a/lib/config/themes.dart
+++ b/lib/config/themes.dart
@@ -47,8 +47,9 @@ abstract class FluffyThemes {
     BuildContext context,
     Brightness brightness, [
     Color? seed,
+    bool softenPrimary = false,
   ]) {
-    final colorScheme = TatuPalette.scheme(brightness, seed);
+    final colorScheme = TatuPalette.scheme(brightness, seed, softenPrimary);
     final isColumnMode = FluffyThemes.isColumnMode(context);
     final dividerColor = brightness == Brightness.dark
         ? colorScheme.surfaceContainerHighest
diff --git a/lib/l10n/intl_en.arb b/lib/l10n/intl_en.arb
index f8324c6..8555c2e 100644
--- a/lib/l10n/intl_en.arb
+++ b/lib/l10n/intl_en.arb
@@ -3029,5 +3029,15 @@
   "@uninstallAppConfirm": {
     "type": "String",
     "placeholders": {}
+  },
+  "softenThemeColor": "Soften theme color",
+  "@softenThemeColor": {
+    "type": "String",
+    "placeholders": {}
+  },
+  "softenThemeColorSubtitle": "Use a soft Material 3 palette derived from the selected color instead of the exact color.",
+  "@softenThemeColorSubtitle": {
+    "type": "String",
+    "placeholders": {}
   }
 }
diff --git a/lib/l10n/intl_pt.arb b/lib/l10n/intl_pt.arb
index 994fcc5..564302e 100644
--- a/lib/l10n/intl_pt.arb
+++ b/lib/l10n/intl_pt.arb
@@ -2043,5 +2043,7 @@
     "type": "String",
     "placeholders": {}
   },
-  "areYouSureDeletePost": "Eliminar"
+  "areYouSureDeletePost": "Eliminar",
+  "softenThemeColor": "Suavizar cor do tema",
+  "softenThemeColorSubtitle": "Usa uma paleta suave do Material 3 derivada da cor escolhida em vez da cor exata."
 }
diff --git a/lib/pages/settings_style/settings_style.dart b/lib/pages/settings_style/settings_style.dart
index d8bd001..176a9c9 100644
--- a/lib/pages/settings_style/settings_style.dart
+++ b/lib/pages/settings_style/settings_style.dart
@@ -130,6 +130,13 @@ class SettingsStyleController extends State<SettingsStyle> {
   ThemeMode get currentTheme => ThemeController.of(context).themeMode;
   Color? get currentColor => ThemeController.of(context).primaryColor;
 
+  bool get softenThemeColor => ThemeController.of(context).softenPrimaryColor;
+
+  Future<void> setSoftenThemeColor(bool soften) async {
+    await ThemeController.of(context).setSoftenPrimaryColor(soften);
+    setState(() {});
+  }
+
   void switchTheme(ThemeMode? newTheme) {
     if (newTheme == null) return;
     switch (newTheme) {
diff --git a/lib/pages/settings_style/settings_style_view.dart b/lib/pages/settings_style/settings_style_view.dart
index 97a6062..90240c7 100644
--- a/lib/pages/settings_style/settings_style_view.dart
+++ b/lib/pages/settings_style/settings_style_view.dart
@@ -136,6 +136,13 @@ class SettingsStyleView extends StatelessWidget {
                 );
               },
             ),
+            SwitchListTile(
+              secondary: const Icon(Icons.palette_outlined),
+              title: Text(L10n.of(context).softenThemeColor),
+              subtitle: Text(L10n.of(context).softenThemeColorSubtitle),
+              value: controller.softenThemeColor,
+              onChanged: controller.setSoftenThemeColor,
+            ),
             Divider(color: theme.dividerColor),
             ListTile(
               title: Text(
diff --git a/lib/utils/account_config.dart b/lib/utils/account_config.dart
index 78e3846..c20786c 100644
--- a/lib/utils/account_config.dart
+++ b/lib/utils/account_config.dart
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ extension ApplicationAccountConfigExtension on Client {
             config.wallpaperOpacity ?? currentConfig.wallpaperOpacity,
         wallpaperBlur: config.wallpaperBlur ?? currentConfig.wallpaperBlur,
         primaryColor: config.primaryColor ?? currentConfig.primaryColor,
+        softenThemeColor:
+            config.softenThemeColor ?? currentConfig.softenThemeColor,
       ).toJson(),
     );
   }
@@ -40,6 +42,20 @@ extension ApplicationAccountConfigExtension on Client {
         wallpaperOpacity: currentConfig.wallpaperOpacity,
         wallpaperBlur: currentConfig.wallpaperBlur,
         primaryColor: primaryColor,
+        softenThemeColor: currentConfig.softenThemeColor,
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+
+  Future<void> setApplicationAccountSoftenThemeColor(bool soften) {
+    final currentConfig = applicationAccountConfig;
+    return setApplicationAccountConfig(
+      ApplicationAccountConfig(
+        wallpaperUrl: currentConfig.wallpaperUrl,
+        wallpaperOpacity: currentConfig.wallpaperOpacity,
+        wallpaperBlur: currentConfig.wallpaperBlur,
+        primaryColor: currentConfig.primaryColor,
+        softenThemeColor: soften,
       ),
     );
   }
@@ -50,12 +66,14 @@ class ApplicationAccountConfig {
   final double? wallpaperOpacity;
   final double? wallpaperBlur;
   final int? primaryColor;
+  final bool? softenThemeColor;
 
   const ApplicationAccountConfig({
     this.wallpaperUrl,
     this.wallpaperOpacity,
     this.wallpaperBlur,
     this.primaryColor,
+    this.softenThemeColor,
   });
 
   static double _sanitizedOpacity(double? opacity) {
@@ -74,6 +92,7 @@ class ApplicationAccountConfig {
         ),
         wallpaperBlur: json.tryGet<double>('wallpaper_blur'),
         primaryColor: json.tryGet<int>('primary_color'),
+        softenThemeColor: json.tryGet<bool>('soften_theme_color'),
       );
 
   Map<String, dynamic> toJson() => {
@@ -81,5 +100,6 @@ class ApplicationAccountConfig {
     'wallpaper_opacity': wallpaperOpacity,
     'wallpaper_blur': wallpaperBlur,
     'primary_color': primaryColor,
+    'soften_theme_color': softenThemeColor,
   };
 }
diff --git a/lib/widgets/tatu_chat_app.dart b/lib/widgets/tatu_chat_app.dart
index 3d7384f..0c93dde 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/tatu_chat_app.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/tatu_chat_app.dart
@@ -73,11 +73,13 @@ class TatuChatApp extends StatelessWidget {
               context,
               Brightness.light,
               primaryColor,
+              themeController.softenPrimaryColor,
             ),
             darkTheme: FluffyThemes.buildTheme(
               context,
               Brightness.dark,
               primaryColor,
+              themeController.softenPrimaryColor,
             ),
             scrollBehavior: CustomScrollBehavior(),
             localizationsDelegates: [
diff --git a/lib/widgets/theme_builder.dart b/lib/widgets/theme_builder.dart
index 3ab0b3d..a22ae9b 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/theme_builder.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/theme_builder.dart
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import 'dart:async';
 
 import 'package:collection/collection.dart';
 import 'package:dynamic_color/dynamic_color.dart';
+import 'package:tatchat/config/setting_keys.dart';
 import 'package:tatchat/utils/account_config.dart';
 import 'package:tatchat/utils/color_value.dart';
 import 'package:material_ui/material_ui.dart';
@@ -43,6 +44,9 @@ class ThemeController extends State<ThemeBuilder> {
   Color? _primaryColor;
   Color? _localPrimaryColor;
   Color? _accountPrimaryColor;
+  bool _softenPrimaryColor = false;
+  bool _localSoftenPrimaryColor = false;
+  bool? _accountSoftenPrimaryColor;
   Client? _accountClient;
   StreamSubscription<SyncUpdate>? _accountClientSubscription;
   int _accountClientGeneration = 0;
@@ -51,6 +55,8 @@ class ThemeController extends State<ThemeBuilder> {
 
   Color? get primaryColor => _primaryColor;
 
+  bool get softenPrimaryColor => _softenPrimaryColor;
+
   static ThemeController of(BuildContext context) =>
       Provider.of<ThemeController>(context, listen: false);
 
@@ -63,6 +69,15 @@ class ThemeController extends State<ThemeBuilder> {
     });
   }
 
+  void _updateSoftenPrimaryColor() {
+    if (!mounted) return;
+    final newValue = _accountSoftenPrimaryColor ?? _localSoftenPrimaryColor;
+    if (newValue == _softenPrimaryColor) return;
+    setState(() {
+      _softenPrimaryColor = newValue;
+    });
+  }
+
   Future<void> _loadData(_) async {
     final preferences = _sharedPreferences ??=
         await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
@@ -76,8 +91,10 @@ class ThemeController extends State<ThemeBuilder> {
         (value) => value.name == rawThemeMode,
       );
       _localPrimaryColor = rawColor == null ? null : Color(rawColor);
+      _localSoftenPrimaryColor = AppSettings.softenThemeColor.value;
     });
     _updatePrimaryColor();
+    _updateSoftenPrimaryColor();
   }
 
   Future<void> setThemeMode(ThemeMode newThemeMode) async {
@@ -108,6 +125,23 @@ class ThemeController extends State<ThemeBuilder> {
     }
   }
 
+  Future<void> setSoftenPrimaryColor(bool soften) async {
+    await AppSettings.softenThemeColor.setItem(soften);
+    if (!mounted) return;
+    setState(() {
+      _localSoftenPrimaryColor = soften;
+      _accountSoftenPrimaryColor = soften;
+      _softenPrimaryColor = soften;
+    });
+    final client = _accountClient;
+    if (client == null) return;
+    try {
+      await client.setApplicationAccountSoftenThemeColor(soften);
+    } catch (err) {
+      Logs().e('TatuChat: failed to sync soften theme color', err);
+    }
+  }
+
   void setAccountClient(Client? client) {
     if (!mounted) return;
     final generation = ++_accountClientGeneration;
@@ -115,10 +149,12 @@ class ThemeController extends State<ThemeBuilder> {
     _accountClientSubscription = null;
     _accountClient = client;
     _accountPrimaryColor = null;
+    _accountSoftenPrimaryColor = null;
     _updatePrimaryColor();
+    _updateSoftenPrimaryColor();
     if (client == null) return;
 
-    unawaited(_loadAccountClientColor(client, generation));
+    unawaited(_loadAccountClientConfig(client, generation));
     _accountClientSubscription = client.onSync.stream
         .where(
           (sync) =>
@@ -129,10 +165,10 @@ class ThemeController extends State<ThemeBuilder> {
               ) ??
               false,
         )
-        .listen((_) => _applyAccountClientColor(client, generation));
+        .listen((_) => _applyAccountClientConfig(client, generation));
   }
 
-  Future<void> _loadAccountClientColor(Client client, int generation) async {
+  Future<void> _loadAccountClientConfig(Client client, int generation) async {
     final accountDataLoading = client.accountDataLoading;
     if (accountDataLoading != null) {
       try {
@@ -144,18 +180,21 @@ class ThemeController extends State<ThemeBuilder> {
         !identical(_accountClient, client)) {
       return;
     }
-    _applyAccountClientColor(client, generation);
+    _applyAccountClientConfig(client, generation);
   }
 
-  void _applyAccountClientColor(Client client, int generation) {
+  void _applyAccountClientConfig(Client client, int generation) {
     if (!mounted ||
         generation != _accountClientGeneration ||
         !identical(_accountClient, client)) {
       return;
     }
-    final primaryColor = client.applicationAccountConfig.primaryColor;
+    final config = client.applicationAccountConfig;
+    final primaryColor = config.primaryColor;
     _accountPrimaryColor = primaryColor == null ? null : Color(primaryColor);
+    _accountSoftenPrimaryColor = config.softenThemeColor;
     _updatePrimaryColor();
+    _updateSoftenPrimaryColor();
   }
 
   @override
diff --git a/test/account_config_test.dart b/test/account_config_test.dart
index 4acae20..95cf6e1 100644
--- a/test/account_config_test.dart
+++ b/test/account_config_test.dart
@@ -47,12 +47,14 @@ void main() {
         wallpaperOpacity: 0.3,
         wallpaperBlur: 4,
         primaryColor: 0xFF6750A4,
+        softenThemeColor: true,
       );
       final parsed = ApplicationAccountConfig.fromJson(config.toJson());
       expect(parsed.wallpaperUrl, config.wallpaperUrl);
       expect(parsed.wallpaperOpacity, config.wallpaperOpacity);
       expect(parsed.wallpaperBlur, config.wallpaperBlur);
       expect(parsed.primaryColor, config.primaryColor);
+      expect(parsed.softenThemeColor, config.softenThemeColor);
     });
 
     test('Keeps existing wallpaper defaults when parsing color only', () {
@@ -63,5 +65,50 @@ void main() {
       expect(config.wallpaperOpacity, 1);
       expect(config.wallpaperBlur, isNull);
     });
+
+    test('Parses soften theme color from account data', () {
+      expect(
+        ApplicationAccountConfig.fromJson({
+          'soften_theme_color': true,
+        }).softenThemeColor,
+        isTrue,
+      );
+      expect(
+        ApplicationAccountConfig.fromJson({
+          'soften_theme_color': false,
+        }).softenThemeColor,
+        isFalse,
+      );
+    });
+
+    test('Ignores soften theme color of unexpected type', () {
+      expect(
+        ApplicationAccountConfig.fromJson({
+          'soften_theme_color': 'yes',
+        }).softenThemeColor,
+        isNull,
+      );
+    });
+
+    test('Defaults soften theme color to null when absent', () {
+      expect(ApplicationAccountConfig.fromJson({}).softenThemeColor, isNull);
+    });
+
+    test('Serializes soften theme color', () {
+      const config = ApplicationAccountConfig(softenThemeColor: true);
+      expect(config.toJson()['soften_theme_color'], true);
+    });
+
+    test('Serializes missing soften theme color as null', () {
+      const config = ApplicationAccountConfig(primaryColor: 0xFF00D084);
+      expect(config.toJson()['soften_theme_color'], isNull);
+    });
+
+    test('Round trips soften theme color through json', () {
+      final parsed = ApplicationAccountConfig.fromJson(
+        const ApplicationAccountConfig(softenThemeColor: true).toJson(),
+      );
+      expect(parsed.softenThemeColor, isTrue);
+    });
   });
 }