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Head-to-head · Secure Team Chat Software

Element vs Teamwire

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Element #1 in Secure Team Chat Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Element
Teamwire #8 in Secure Team Chat Software 8.2/10 15-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Teamwire

Element leads on 1 check, Teamwire on 0, and 1 is 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 · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Element
  • Free trialonly Teamwire

Element scores higher on our rubric for secure team chat software: 9.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Element offers free plan; Teamwire doesn't.

Element is the better fit for security-first teams needing flexible deployment. Teamwire is the better fit for organizations needing regulated deployment options.

  • Element fits best

    Security-first teams needing flexible deployment

  • Teamwire fits best

    Organizations needing regulated deployment options

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Side by side

Feature Element 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Teamwire 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.2
Ranking #1 in Secure Team Chat Software #8 in Secure Team Chat Software
Best for Security-first teams needing flexible deployment Organizations needing regulated deployment options
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — €3.45/user/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 15 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, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Compliance ISO 27001 SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA
Integrations 13 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Element 1/4 · Teamwire 1/4
Guest access ✓ ✓
File sharing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Audit logs Not checked yet Not checked yet
SSO support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
End-to-end encryption Not checked yet Not checked yet
Message retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile apps Not checked yet Not checked yet
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
  • Cloud, private-cloud, and on-premise deployment options
  • Emergency alerts, SOS, and acknowledgement tracking
  • Broad integrations, audit logs, and retention controls
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
  • No free plan
  • Message history is limited by retention settings
  • Annual billing applies to listed entry prices
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 →

Teamwire is a secure business messenger for organizations and mobile teams, with particular relevance for public safety, critical infrastructure, healthcare, and government. It combines one-to-one, group, and broadcast chats with file,…

Read the review →
  1. ElementSecure Team Chat Software 9.4Free plan
  2. TeamwireSecure Team Chat Software 8.215-day trial

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

  • Teamwire — where it wins

    • Cloud, private-cloud, and on-premise deployment options
    • Emergency alerts, SOS, and acknowledgement tracking
    • Broad integrations, audit logs, and retention controls

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan
    • Message history is limited by retention settings
    • Annual billing applies to listed entry prices

More comparisons

All secure team chat software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update