Microsoft Teams vs Element

Microsoft Teams9.4Visit Element9.1Visit

Higher score Microsoft Teams #1 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Try Microsoft Teams

vs

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

• Microsoft Teams fits best

  Organizations standardizing on Microsoft 365

• Element fits best

  Security-focused teams needing deployment control

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Side by side

Feature	Microsoft Teams 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Element 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.1
Ranking	#1 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software	#3 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software
Best for	Organizations standardizing on Microsoft 365	Security-focused teams needing deployment control
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Phone, Docs, Community	Email, Community, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, 2FA	ISO 27001
Integrations	250+ integrations	13 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft Teams 1/4 · Element 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	Unlimited
Group size limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines chat, channels, meetings, calling, and file collaboration Guest access and access controls support work with external collaborators Integrates with Microsoft 365 apps and runs across desktop, mobile, and web	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
Cons	Teams Free is primarily positioned for personal use Business capabilities are spread across multiple Microsoft licenses The range of calling and room plans can make license selection more involved	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
Our verdict	Microsoft Teams brings private and group chat, organized channels, audio and video meetings, calling, file sharing, and collaborative apps into one service. It is aimed at businesses, schools, and individuals, with the strongest fit for… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Microsoft Teams — where it wins

  • Combines chat, channels, meetings, calling, and file collaboration
  • Guest access and access controls support work with external collaborators
  • Integrates with Microsoft 365 apps and runs across desktop, mobile, and web

  Where it doesn't

  • Teams Free is primarily positioned for personal use
  • Business capabilities are spread across multiple Microsoft licenses
  • The range of calling and room plans can make license selection more involved

• 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

• Microsoft Teams9.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad collaboration suite suited to organizations already standardizing on Microsoft.

  Try Microsoft TeamsFull verdict →
• Element9.1/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit ElementFull verdict →