Jami vs Element

Jami9.0Visit Element8.8Visit

Higher score Jami #4 in Encrypted Calling Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Jami

vs

Element #6 in Encrypted Calling Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Element

• Jami fits best

  Free, open-source calling across desktop and mobile

• Element fits best

  Teams needing self-hosted, integrated communications

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Side by side

Feature	Jami 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Element 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.8
Ranking	#4 in Encrypted Calling Apps	#6 in Encrypted Calling Apps
Best for	Free, open-source calling across desktop and mobile	Teams needing self-hosted, integrated communications
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	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, Community, Docs
Integrations	1 integrations	13 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Jami 1/5 · Element 1/5
Video calling	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Screen sharing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Self-hosting	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Team admin controls	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Open source	✓	✓
Specs
Group call limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Platform coverage	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	End-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy Voice and video calls, group chats, conferencing, and screen sharing Desktop and mobile apps, linked devices, and SIP client support	Includes Element Call in the free, open-source Community plan Supports self-hosted, private-cloud, managed, and air-gapped deployment Offers broad integrations and clients for web, desktop, and mobile
Cons	No numeric group-call limit is stated No numeric linked-device limit is stated Support channels are email, community, and documentation	Calling is one part of a broader messaging and collaboration product Enterprise and Sovereign plans are contact-sales offerings Uses rooms and spaces rather than conventional channels
Our verdict	Jami is a free, open-source communication app for private messaging, voice and video calls, group conversations, conferencing, file sharing, and screen sharing. Its desktop and mobile coverage makes it relevant to people who want one… Read the review →	Element is an end-to-end encrypted messaging and collaboration app built on the Matrix open standard. It suits organizations that need control over their communications infrastructure, from communities and smaller teams to enterprises and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Jami — where it wins

  • End-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy
  • Voice and video calls, group chats, conferencing, and screen sharing
  • Desktop and mobile apps, linked devices, and SIP client support

  Where it doesn't

  • No numeric group-call limit is stated
  • No numeric linked-device limit is stated
  • Support channels are email, community, and documentation

• Element — where it wins

  • Includes Element Call in the free, open-source Community plan
  • Supports self-hosted, private-cloud, managed, and air-gapped deployment
  • Offers broad integrations and clients for web, desktop, and mobile

  Where it doesn't

  • Calling is one part of a broader messaging and collaboration product
  • Enterprise and Sovereign plans are contact-sales offerings
  • Uses rooms and spaces rather than conventional channels

• Jami9.0/10 · Free plan

  Private messaging and calls with peer-to-peer architecture and SIP support.

  Visit JamiFull verdict →
• Element8.8/10 · Free plan

  A self-hostable communications app with encrypted messaging and calling through Element Call and integrations.

  Visit ElementFull verdict →