Element vs eXpress

Element9.4Visit eXpress8.5Visit

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

vs

eXpress #6 in Secure Team Chat Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit eXpress

• Element fits best

  Security-first teams needing flexible deployment

• eXpress fits best

  Enterprise teams needing encryption and governance

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Side by side

Feature	Element 9.4/10 Visit ↗	eXpress 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.5
Ranking	#1 in Secure Team Chat Software	#6 in Secure Team Chat Software
Best for	Security-first teams needing flexible deployment	Enterprise teams needing encryption and governance
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7
Compliance	ISO 27001	2FA
Integrations	13 integrations	70+ integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Element 1/4 · eXpress 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	Optional
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	End-to-end encrypted chats with privacy and forwarding controls On-premises or protected-cloud deployment options Conferencing, recording, guest links, and enterprise integrations
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	Paid entry pricing is presented as price on request in English Advanced governance and integrations target larger organizations End-to-end encryption is optional at the category level
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 →	eXpress is an enterprise communications platform for businesses, government organizations, and corporate teams. It combines personal and group chats, channels, threaded discussions, file sharing, voice calls, video conferences, chatbots,… 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

• eXpress — where it wins

  • End-to-end encrypted chats with privacy and forwarding controls
  • On-premises or protected-cloud deployment options
  • Conferencing, recording, guest links, and enterprise integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid entry pricing is presented as price on request in English
  • Advanced governance and integrations target larger organizations
  • End-to-end encryption is optional at the category level

• Element9.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit ElementFull verdict →
• eXpress8.5/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A broad enterprise chat suite with encryption, governance, conferencing, and deployment choice.

  Visit eXpressFull verdict →