Element vs AWS Wickr

Element9.4Visit AWS Wickr8.9Visit

Higher score Element #1 in Secure Team Chat Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Element

vs

AWS Wickr #4 in Secure Team Chat Software 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit AWS Wickr

• Element fits best

  Security-first teams needing flexible deployment

• AWS Wickr fits best

  Security-focused organizations needing enterprise controls

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Side by side

Feature	Element 9.4/10 Visit ↗	AWS Wickr 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Secure Team Chat Software	#4 in Secure Team Chat Software
Best for	Security-first teams needing flexible deployment	Security-focused organizations needing enterprise controls
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$5/user/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Docs
Compliance	ISO 27001	SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA
Integrations	13 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Element 1/4 · AWS Wickr 4/4
Guest access	✓	✓
File sharing	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Audit logs	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
SSO support	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
End-to-end encryption	Not checked yet	Default
Message retention	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Mobile apps	Not checked yet	Both
Our review
Pros	End-to-end encryption enabled by default Self-hosted, federated and air-gapped deployment options Works across web, desktop and mobile platforms	Default end-to-end encryption for messages and file sharing Calls for up to 100 participants, guest access, and federation SSO, retention controls, audit logs, and self-hosted deployment options
Cons	Community is intended for non-professional deployments and evaluations Air-gapped operation is available only in the Sovereign tier Professional tiers add paid server suites and support	No always-free plan; paid service starts at $5 per user monthly Data retention and unlimited administrative controls require Premium Larger file attachments require Premium rather than Standard
Our verdict	Element is an end-to-end encrypted messaging and collaboration application for individuals, teams, organisations and public-sector users. Built on the decentralised Matrix open standard, it combines direct messaging, rooms and Spaces with… Read the review →	AWS Wickr is a secure collaboration service for businesses and public-sector organizations that need protected messaging alongside administrative controls. It supports encrypted one-to-one and group chats, rooms, file sharing, screen… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Element — where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption enabled by default
  • Self-hosted, federated and air-gapped deployment options
  • Works across web, desktop and mobile platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • Community is intended for non-professional deployments and evaluations
  • Air-gapped operation is available only in the Sovereign tier
  • Professional tiers add paid server suites and support

• AWS Wickr — where it wins

  • Default end-to-end encryption for messages and file sharing
  • Calls for up to 100 participants, guest access, and federation
  • SSO, retention controls, audit logs, and self-hosted deployment options

  Where it doesn't

  • No always-free plan; paid service starts at $5 per user monthly
  • Data retention and unlimited administrative controls require Premium
  • Larger file attachments require Premium rather than Standard

• Element9.4/10 · Free plan

  A flexible secure chat platform for teams that need control over deployment and data.

  Visit ElementFull verdict →
• AWS Wickr8.9/10 · Paid

  A security-focused team chat with enterprise controls, broad platform support, and no always-free plan.

  Visit AWS WickrFull verdict →