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Head-to-head · Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software

Element vs BBM Enterprise

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Element #3 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Element
BBM Enterprise #8 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 8.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit BlackBerry

Element leads on 0 checks, BBM Enterprise on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreElement · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Element

Element scores higher on our rubric for business instant messaging - enterprise software: 9.1 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Element is the better fit for security-focused teams needing deployment control. BBM Enterprise is the better fit for enterprises prioritizing secure managed messaging.

  • Element fits best

    Security-focused teams needing deployment control

  • BBM Enterprise fits best

    Enterprises prioritizing secure managed messaging

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Side by side

Feature Element 9.1/10 Visit ↗ BBM Enterprise 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.4
Ranking #3 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software #8 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software
Best for Security-focused teams needing deployment control Enterprises prioritizing secure managed messaging
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs Docs
Compliance ISO 27001 HIPAA
Integrations 13 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Enterprise
Features Element 1/4 · BBM Enterprise 1/4
Guest access ✓ ✓
Single sign-on Not checked yet Not checked yet
Retention controls Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile apps Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Message history Unlimited Not checked yet
Group size limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • End-to-end encrypted messaging with cross-signed device verification
  • Self-hosted and air-gapped deployment options
  • Unlimited history, broad clients, and third-party bridges
  • End-to-end encryption is enabled by default.
  • Supports voice and video calls, group chat and multimedia conferencing.
  • Administrative policies and optional archiving support managed workflows.
Cons
  • Uses rooms and spaces rather than conventional channels
  • Enterprise and Sovereign pricing requires contacting sales
  • The Community plan is self-hosted, not a managed deployment
  • Pricing is handled through contact sales.
  • Integrations focus on BlackBerry enterprise services.
  • Support channels include documentation.
Our verdict

Element combines messaging and collaboration on the Matrix open standard, with end-to-end encryption, rooms and spaces, direct messages, and voice and video calls. It suits organizations that want control over where messaging…

Read the review →

BBM Enterprise is BlackBerry’s secure communications application for organizations and working professionals. It brings text messaging, group chat, voice and video calling, and multimedia conferencing to Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.…

Read the review →
  1. ElementBusiness Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 9.1Free plan
  2. BBM EnterpriseBusiness Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 8.4Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Element — where it wins

    • End-to-end encrypted messaging with cross-signed device verification
    • Self-hosted and air-gapped deployment options
    • Unlimited history, broad clients, and third-party bridges

    Where it doesn't

    • Uses rooms and spaces rather than conventional channels
    • Enterprise and Sovereign pricing requires contacting sales
    • The Community plan is self-hosted, not a managed deployment

  • BBM Enterprise — where it wins

    • End-to-end encryption is enabled by default.
    • Supports voice and video calls, group chat and multimedia conferencing.
    • Administrative policies and optional archiving support managed workflows.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through contact sales.
    • Integrations focus on BlackBerry enterprise services.
    • Support channels include documentation.
  • Element9.1/10 · Free plan

    A Matrix-based messenger for teams that need encryption and deployment control.

    Visit ElementFull verdict →
  • BBM Enterprise8.4/10 · Pricing on request

    Managed messaging, calls and conferencing for organizations prioritizing encrypted communication.

    Visit BlackBerryFull verdict →

More comparisons

All business instant messaging - enterprise software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update