Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software

Slack vs Element

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Slack #2 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Slack
Element #3 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Element

Slack leads on 0 checks, Element on 0, and 2 are 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 scoreSlack · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth

Slack scores higher on our rubric for business instant messaging - enterprise software: 9.3 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

On message history, Element gives you Unlimited where Slack offers Limited.

Slack is the better fit for teams coordinating work across channels and apps. Element is the better fit for security-focused teams needing deployment control.

  • Slack fits best

    Teams coordinating work across channels and apps

  • Element fits best

    Security-focused teams needing deployment control

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Slack 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Element 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.1
Ranking #2 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software #3 in Business Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software
Best for Teams coordinating work across channels and apps Security-focused teams needing deployment control
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $7.25/user/mo —
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 Docs · 24/7 Email, Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, SSO/SAML, 2FA ISO 27001
Integrations 2,600+ integrations 13 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Slack 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 Limited Unlimited
Group size limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Public and private channels keep conversations organized by topic.
  • More than 2,600 integrations connect Slack with workplace tools.
  • Huddles, Workflow Builder, and AI search extend beyond messaging.
  • 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
  • Free includes only 90 days of message history.
  • Free supports up to 10 app integrations.
  • Free limits meetings and external messages to one-to-one.
  • 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

Slack brings workplace conversations into public and private channels, direct messages, and audio and video huddles with screen sharing. Teams can also share files, collaborate with outside organizations through Slack Connect, and automate…

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 →
  1. SlackBusiness Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 9.3Free plan
  2. ElementBusiness Instant Messaging - Enterprise Software 9.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Slack — where it wins

    • Public and private channels keep conversations organized by topic.
    • More than 2,600 integrations connect Slack with workplace tools.
    • Huddles, Workflow Builder, and AI search extend beyond messaging.

    Where it doesn't

    • Free includes only 90 days of message history.
    • Free supports up to 10 app integrations.
    • Free limits meetings and external messages to one-to-one.

  • 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

More comparisons

All business instant messaging - enterprise software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update