Element vs SimpleX Chat

Element9.1Visit SimpleX Chat8.6Visit

Higher score Element #3 in Secure Messaging Apps 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Element

vs

SimpleX Chat #6 in Secure Messaging Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit SimpleX Chat

• Element fits best

  Teams needing secure, extensible collaboration

• SimpleX Chat fits best

  Privacy-focused users wanting anonymous accounts

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Side by side

Feature	Element 9.1/10 Visit ↗	SimpleX Chat 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.6
Ranking	#3 in Secure Messaging Apps	#6 in Secure Messaging Apps
Best for	Teams needing secure, extensible collaboration	Privacy-focused users wanting anonymous accounts
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile	Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Element 0/4 · SimpleX Chat 1/4
Encrypted backups	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Desktop apps	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Multi-device support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Disappearing messages	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Account requirement	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Maximum group size	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	End-to-end encryption with cross-signed device verification Self-hosted, fully managed, private-cloud, and air-gapped deployment options Broad integrations, guest access, and unlimited message history	Identifier-free connections support anonymous account creation Encrypted text, media, calls, groups, and disappearing messages Runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux
Cons	Paid tiers use contact-sales pricing rather than published amounts Uses rooms and spaces instead of conventional channels Air-gapped deployment is available only on the Sovereign tier	Backups can be unencrypted depending on provider and configuration Groups are intended for relatively small groups No encrypted backups are included
Our verdict	Element is an end-to-end encrypted messaging and collaboration application built on the Matrix open standard. It is designed for communities, enterprises, governments, and other organizations that need data ownership and interoperability.… Read the review →	SimpleX Chat is an open-source messaging application for people who want private conversations without user profile identifiers. Its current offering is free and supports end-to-end encrypted text, files, media, voice messages, voice and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Element — where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption with cross-signed device verification
  • Self-hosted, fully managed, private-cloud, and air-gapped deployment options
  • Broad integrations, guest access, and unlimited message history

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid tiers use contact-sales pricing rather than published amounts
  • Uses rooms and spaces instead of conventional channels
  • Air-gapped deployment is available only on the Sovereign tier

• SimpleX Chat — where it wins

  • Identifier-free connections support anonymous account creation
  • Encrypted text, media, calls, groups, and disappearing messages
  • Runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

  Where it doesn't

  • Backups can be unencrypted depending on provider and configuration
  • Groups are intended for relatively small groups
  • No encrypted backups are included

• Element9.1/10 · Free plan

  A secure, extensible collaboration app for teams that need control and interoperability.

  Visit ElementFull verdict →
• SimpleX Chat8.6/10 · Free plan

  Private messaging with anonymous connections, encrypted calls, and no paid plan.

  Visit SimpleX ChatFull verdict →