Element vs Flock

Element9.1Visit Flock8.5Visit

Higher score Element #3 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Element

vs

Flock #7 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Flock

• Element fits best

  Security-focused teams needing deployment control

• Flock fits best

  Teams wanting affordable all-in-one chat

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Side by side

Feature	Element 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Flock 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.5
Ranking	#3 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software	#7 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software
Best for	Security-focused teams needing deployment control	Teams wanting affordable all-in-one chat
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Compliance	ISO 27001	SOC 2, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations	13 integrations	60+ integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Element 1/4 · Flock 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	Limited
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	Combines channels, calls, screen sharing, and shared work tools Integrates with services including Google Drive, Jira, and Zoom Offers web, desktop, mobile, Chrome extension, and API access
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	Starter limits searchable history to 10,000 messages Starter includes only 10 public channels and 5 GB team storage Advanced identity options such as SSO are on Enterprise
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 →	Flock brings direct and group messaging together with public and private channels, voice and video conferencing, file sharing, and searchable conversations. Shared to-dos, notes, polls, reminders, guest access, and process automation… Read the review →

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

• Flock — where it wins

  • Combines channels, calls, screen sharing, and shared work tools
  • Integrates with services including Google Drive, Jira, and Zoom
  • Offers web, desktop, mobile, Chrome extension, and API access

  Where it doesn't

  • Starter limits searchable history to 10,000 messages
  • Starter includes only 10 public channels and 5 GB team storage
  • Advanced identity options such as SSO are on Enterprise

• Element9.1/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit ElementFull verdict →
• Flock8.5/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  Flock pairs team messaging with calls, searchable history, and shared productivity tools.

  Visit FlockFull verdict →