Element

Secure, decentralized messaging on Matrix

An end-to-end encrypted messaging and collaboration app built on the open Matrix protocol, usable on public servers or self-hosted.

Visit Element ↗

Pricing: Free plan

Platforms: Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

Categories: Team Communication, Security & Privacy

Element is an alternative to

Slack · Discord

Element compared with similar tools

Product	Price	Open source	Self-host	Platforms
Element	Free plan	Yes	Yes	Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted
Rocket.Chat	Free plan	Yes	Yes	Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted
Mattermost	Free plan	Yes	Yes	Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted
Zulip	Free plan	Yes	Yes	Web, Self-hosted, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Campfire	Free	–	Yes	Web, Self-hosted
Huly	Free plan	Yes	Yes	Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, Self-hosted
Wire	Free plan	–	–	Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

Similar to Element

Rocket.Chat

Open-source secure communications platform

An open-source team chat and omnichannel communication platform that can be self-hosted, with federation and end-to-end encryption options.

Free plan · Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted · Website ↗

Mattermost

Open-source, self-hosted team messaging

An open-source collaboration platform with team chat, calls, playbooks and boards, deployable self-hosted for security-focused organizations.

Free plan · Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted · Website ↗

Zulip

Open-source team chat organized by topic threads

Zulip is an open-source team chat app that organizes conversations into streams and topics, making async discussion easier to follow. Available as cloud or self-hosted.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Campfire

Self-hosted group chat you buy once

Campfire is a group chat app from 37signals with rooms, direct messages and file sharing, which you install on your own server.

Free · Web, Self-hosted · Website ↗

Huly

All-in-one open-source platform: tracker, docs, chat and meetings

An open-source platform combining issue tracking, docs, team chat, video meetings and planning in one app, available as cloud or self-hosted. For teams consolidating Linear, Slack and Notion.

Free plan · Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, Self-hosted · Website ↗

Wire

End-to-end encrypted collaboration and messaging

A secure communication platform with end-to-end encrypted messaging, calls, conferencing and file sharing for organizations.

Free plan · Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android · Website ↗

BookWyrm

Decentralized social network for reading

BookWyrm is an open-source, federated social network for tracking and reviewing books.

Free · Web, Self-hosted · Website ↗

CryptPad

End-to-end encrypted, open-source collaboration suite

An encrypted office suite with collaborative documents, spreadsheets, presentations, kanban, whiteboards and forms; usable on public instances or self-hosted.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted · Website ↗

Questions

Is Element free?

Element is free to start, with paid plans.

Is Element open source?

Yes, Element is open source.

Can Element be self-hosted?

Yes, you can run Element on your own server.

What platforms does Element run on?

Element is available for Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted.

What are some alternatives to Element?

Similar indie products include Rocket.Chat, Mattermost, Zulip, Campfire and 4 more.

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