Element
Encrypted Matrix-based messaging and collaboration for teams and governments
Own Element? Claim it, free to correct the facts and get the verified badge.
Pricing
Freemium
Open source
Yes
Company
Element Creations Ltd
Platforms
What is Element?
Element is an end-to-end encrypted messenger and collaboration app built on Matrix, the decentralised open standard for real-time communication. People can use the free app on its own. Organisations can self-host Element Server Suite, which lets them control their own communications and federate with other Matrix-based systems.
Element covers messaging, threads, file sharing, polls and E2EE voice and video calls through Element Call. It runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and the web. The Pro tier adds Synapse Pro, LDAP/AD and SSO integration, retention policies, auditing, Helm charts for Kubernetes, high availability and an SLA. A Sovereign tier is installed air-gapped and runs with no internet connection.
Element is led by the team that created Matrix. It is pitched mainly at governments, defence organisations and public institutions that want to replace Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp or Signal with software they control.
Key features
- End-to-end encrypted messaging by default
- E2EE voice and video calls via Element Call
- Federation with any Matrix-based system
- Self-hosted and air-gapped deployment
- LDAP/AD, SCIM and OIDC single sign-on
- Retention policies, auditing and data export
- Helm charts for Kubernetes and OpenShift support
- Whitelabelled mobile app and custom domains
Use cases
Who it's for
Replacing Microsoft Teams
Organisations can move workplace chat and calls onto self-hosted infrastructure they control.
Cross-organisation collaboration
Government departments and partners can talk across separate Matrix servers through federation.
Isolated and defence networks
The Sovereign tier is installed air-gapped, and federated mission networks can share information across allied partners.
Private personal messaging
Individuals can use the free app for encrypted chats without giving a phone number.
Element pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Nov 8, 2026. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
| Plan | Community | Enterprise | Sovereign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Priced per seat/monthper seat | Priced per deploymentper deployment |
| Users | 1–100 | From 100 | — |
| Also |
|
|
|
Get an email when Element changes its prices
One mail per change, a stop link in each. Nothing else.
Element in numbers
- Entry price
- $0.00
- Free to use
- Yes
- E2EE by default
- No
- Encryption protocol
- Olm/Megolm
- Phone number required
- No
- Open source
- Clients and server
- Latest security audit
- Least Authority, 2022
- Jurisdiction
- United Kingdom
- Self-hosting / federation
- Yes
Element is free for personal use, and paid business plans (Enterprise, Sovereign) are priced per seat or per deployment on request; messages are only encrypted in rooms where encryption is turned on. From Element's own pages, checked Nov 8, 2026. Each figure links to the page it is from; fields the vendor doesn't state are left out.
How Element compares
- Element has the best entry price of the 3 services here: $0.00.
| Tool | E2EE by default | Phone number required | Entry price | Latest security audit | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EElement | No | No | $0.00 | Least Authority, 2022 | Clients and server | |
T Threema | Yes | No | $6.99 | Cure53, 2024 | Clients only | Element vs Threema |
S Signal | Yes | Yes | $0.00 | — | Clients and server | Element vs Signal |
Figures from each vendor's own pages; — means the vendor doesn't state it. The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Open source under AGPL with a free self-hosted edition
- No personal phone number required
- Certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and Cyber Essentials Plus
- Supports air-gapped deployments
Limitations
- Enterprise and Sovereign pricing only through sales
- Community Synapse is not meant for production use
- Whitelabelled app and cross domain gateway are paid add-ons
Element FAQ
Is Element free?
Yes. The personal app is free, and Element Server Suite Community is a free, open-source self-hosted edition for non-professional deployments and evaluations.
How is Element Pro priced?
Enterprise is priced per seat per month, starting from 100 users, and Sovereign is priced per deployment. To get a quote you talk to Element's team.
Which platforms does Element support?
Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play and F-Droid) and the web browser.
Can Element run without internet?
Yes. The Sovereign tier supports air-gapped installation with a dedicated mobile push gateway.
Is Element end-to-end encrypted?
Yes. The platform is end-to-end encrypted by default, including voice and video calls.
Used Element? Rate it
Sign in to rate this tool and share how you use it.
Element
Freemium