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Element

Communication

4.0(47 ratings)

80% recommend

Element is a secure communication tool for teams, offering messaging and collaboration in one platform.

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About Element

Best for privacy-focused teams needing decentralized, encrypted communication.

Element is a decentralized messaging and collaboration platform built on the Matrix open protocol. It provides end-to-end encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, and room-based collaboration, all while giving users full control over their data. Unlike centralized platforms like Slack or Teams, Element allows organizations to self-host their communication infrastructure or use Element's hosted service. It's particularly popular with governments, defense organizations, and privacy-conscious teams who need sovereign communication. The open-source nature and federation capabilities make it unique among enterprise communication tools.

Pros

End-to-end encryption enabled by default
Self-hosting option gives full data sovereignty
Open-source and built on open Matrix protocol
Federated architecture connects across different servers
Free tier available for personal use

Cons

Steeper learning curve than mainstream chat apps
Smaller ecosystem compared to Slack or Teams
Performance can lag with large rooms or servers
UI feels less polished than commercial competitors

Use Cases

Best for government agencies requiring sovereign and secure communication infrastructure

Best for open-source communities needing federated cross-organization collaboration

Best for privacy-conscious teams replacing centralized messaging platforms like Slack

Best for organizations in regulated industries needing self-hosted encrypted communications

Key Features

6 features

End-to-end encryption for messages

Group chat and direct messaging

File sharing and collaboration tools

Customizable chat rooms and channels

Integration with third-party apps

Cross-platform support for devices

SaasHunter Score

7.8/10

“Your team prioritizes security and requires a cost-effective messaging platform for collaboration.”

Ease of Use

7.0

Features

8.0

Pricing

9.0

Support

7.0

Integrations

8.0

Best For

Startups 8Enterprise 8Agencies 7Small Business 7Freelancers 6

Integrations

JitsiSlack (bridging)IRC (bridging)Discord (bridging)Signal (bridging)GitHubGitLabLDAP/SSO providers

Encrypted Communication Decentralized Team Chat Messaging

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Element?

Element is a decentralized communication platform built on the open Matrix protocol, offering end-to-end encrypted messaging, video calls, and collaboration. It can be self-hosted or used as a cloud service, giving organizations full control over their data.

How much does Element cost?

Element offers a free tier for personal use on the Matrix.org homeserver. Paid plans for businesses start with Element Server Suite for self-hosting and Element Cloud for managed hosting, with pricing varying based on deployment size and features needed.

What are the main features of Element?

Key features include end-to-end encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, room-based collaboration, federation across servers, and bridging to other platforms like Slack and IRC. It also supports threads, spaces for organizing rooms, and enterprise SSO integration.

Who should use Element?

Element is ideal for governments, defense organizations, healthcare providers, and any team that prioritizes data sovereignty and privacy. It's also widely used by open-source communities and organizations that want to avoid vendor lock-in with proprietary communication tools.

Is there a free plan for Element?

Yes, Element is free to use for personal accounts on the public Matrix.org homeserver, with full messaging and calling features. The open-source server software (Synapse) can also be self-hosted at no licensing cost, though enterprise support and management tools are paid.