Element vs Briar

Element9.4Visit Briar8.8Visit

Higher score Element #1 in Decentralized Messaging Apps 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Element

vs

Briar #6 in Decentralized Messaging Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Briar

• Element fits best

  Organizations wanting a full Matrix collaboration hub

• Briar fits best

  People needing private messaging without central servers

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Side by side

Feature	Element 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Briar 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Decentralized Messaging Apps	#6 in Decentralized Messaging Apps
Best for	Organizations wanting a full Matrix collaboration hub	People needing private messaging without central servers
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Element 0/4 · Briar 0/4
End-to-end encryption	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Self-hosting	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Group chat	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Account required	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Network architecture	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	End-to-end encrypted messaging with cross-signed device verification Self-hosted, private-cloud, managed, and air-gapped deployment options Web, desktop, and mobile apps with bridges, bots, and integrations	Synchronizes messages peer to peer without a central server Connects over Tor, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi Includes private groups, forums, blogs, and contact introductions
Cons	Uses rooms and spaces rather than conventional channels Enterprise and Sovereign paid tiers are contact-sales offerings Air-gapped deployment is listed only with the Sovereign plan	Desktop has fewer features than the Android app Account backup is not currently available Maintenance mode focuses on security updates and bug fixes
Our verdict	Element is a messaging and collaboration application built on the Matrix open standard. It combines end-to-end encrypted direct messages with rooms and spaces for group discussions, plus calls, file attachments, polls, reactions, voice… Read the review →	Briar is a free, open-source messaging app for people who need private communication, including activists and journalists. Rather than routing messages through a central server, it synchronizes them directly between users’ devices.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Element — where it wins

  • End-to-end encrypted messaging with cross-signed device verification
  • Self-hosted, private-cloud, managed, and air-gapped deployment options
  • Web, desktop, and mobile apps with bridges, bots, and integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Uses rooms and spaces rather than conventional channels
  • Enterprise and Sovereign paid tiers are contact-sales offerings
  • Air-gapped deployment is listed only with the Sovereign plan

• Briar — where it wins

  • Synchronizes messages peer to peer without a central server
  • Connects over Tor, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi
  • Includes private groups, forums, blogs, and contact introductions

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop has fewer features than the Android app
  • Account backup is not currently available
  • Maintenance mode focuses on security updates and bug fixes

• Element9.4/10 · Free plan

  A Matrix-based collaboration app with encrypted messaging and flexible deployment options.

  Visit ElementFull verdict →
• Briar8.8/10 · Free plan

  Free, serverless messaging with encrypted chats across desktop and Android.

  Visit BriarFull verdict →