Element review
A privacy-focused, open-source chat platform for teams needing control and federation.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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, Spaces, file sharing, voice and video calls, search, threads, reactions and message editing. Support for web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android makes it suitable for distributed teams, while federation connects separate Matrix networks and organisations.
The pricing structure separates free community use from professional deployment. Community includes self-hosted open-source software under AGPL, a free frontend and backend, and Element Call; it is intended for non-professional deployments and evaluations. Enterprise adds Element Server Suite Pro, Synapse Pro, enhanced security and support, corporate oversight and control, and dynamic scaling, with pricing set per seat/month. Sovereign adds air-gapped deployment, a dedicated mobile push gateway and operation without internet connectivity. Teams should choose Community for evaluation or non-professional use, and consider the paid tiers when governance, support or isolated operation matters.
Element’s main distinction is the combination of privacy controls and deployment choice. Device verification, secure backup and default end-to-end encryption support security-conscious teams, while self-hosting and federation provide control over infrastructure and organisational boundaries. Integrations include Etherpad, Grafana, Google Calendar, Jitsi, GitHub, GitLab, JIRA, Webhooks and other widgets or bots. That breadth suits organisations seeking an open Matrix-based workspace rather than a narrowly focused chat tool. Teams wanting a simpler managed experience, less administrative responsibility or a conventional hosted-only model may prefer an alternative.
Element pros and cons
- Where it wins
- End-to-end encryption is enabled by default
- Self-hosted and air-gapped deployment options
- Rooms, calls, search, federation and integrations included
- Where it doesn't
- Enterprise budgeting depends on per-seat/month pricing
- Community is intended for non-professional use and evaluations
- Its broad deployment model may require more administration
Element fact sheet, pricing and score →
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