Linphone vs Element

Linphone8.9Visit Element8.8Visit

Higher score Linphone #5 in Encrypted Calling Apps 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Linphone

vs

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

• Linphone fits best

  SIP users needing encrypted calls and PBX support

• Element fits best

  Teams needing self-hosted, integrated communications

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Side by side

Feature	Linphone 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Element 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.8
Ranking	#5 in Encrypted Calling Apps	#6 in Encrypted Calling Apps
Best for	SIP users needing encrypted calls and PBX support	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	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	13 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Linphone 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	Supports encrypted SIP audio and video calls, group calls and conferencing Connects with third-party SIP systems, IP-PBXs, proxies and SBCs Available on desktop and mobile, with LDAP and CardDAV sync	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	Calling regular phone numbers requires a third-party SIP trunking service Free SIP service is for individuals and has no guaranteed support No browser calling or SMS/MMS support	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	Linphone is an open-source softphone from Belledonne Communications for internet-based voice and video calls, messaging and conferences. Its SIP support makes it a fit for individuals and organizations working with third-party SIP accounts… 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

• Linphone — where it wins

  • Supports encrypted SIP audio and video calls, group calls and conferencing
  • Connects with third-party SIP systems, IP-PBXs, proxies and SBCs
  • Available on desktop and mobile, with LDAP and CardDAV sync

  Where it doesn't

  • Calling regular phone numbers requires a third-party SIP trunking service
  • Free SIP service is for individuals and has no guaranteed support
  • No browser calling or SMS/MMS support

• 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

• Linphone8.9/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source SIP client for encrypted calls and PBX-connected telephony.

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

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

  Visit ElementFull verdict →