Element review 2026: Matrix protocol messaging, end-to-end encryption, self-hosting with Synapse, pricing tiers, and how it compares to Slack and Signal.
Category
Team Chat
Pricing
Open Source / Freemium (free self-hosted Community edition plus paid Enterprise and Sovereign tiers), from Free (self-hosted Community edition); Enterprise and Sovereign pricing available on request
Element is an open-source messaging and collaboration client built on the Matrix protocol, a decentralized, federated standard for real-time, end-to-end encrypted communication. Users can self-host their own Matrix homeserver or rely on public and private servers that interoperate with one another.
Originally launched as Vector in 2016 and renamed Riot later that year, the app and its parent company were rebranded to Element in 2019. The company, New Vector Limited, spun out of Amdocs subsidiary Vector Creations Limited in 2017 and is now headquartered in Chiswick, London.
Key Features
Element supports one-to-one and group messaging, voice and video calls via Element Call, file sharing, threads, and end-to-end encryption by default using the Olm and Megolm cryptographic ratchets derived from the Double Ratchet Algorithm.
Clients are available for web, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), and mobile (iOS, Android), all built on the open Matrix Client-Server API, and the platform can be self-hosted using the Synapse or Dendrite homeserver implementations.
Pricing
Element's Community tier is free and fully open source under the AGPL, supporting self-hosted deployments of up to about 100 users with no artificial feature limits.
Paid Enterprise and Sovereign tiers, priced per seat per month on request, add managed hosting or on-premise deployment at scale, enhanced security, SSO and directory integration, SLAs, and, for Sovereign, fully air-gapped operation for government and defense use cases.
Key Features
End-to-End Encryption — Olm and Megolm cryptographic ratchets, derived from the Double Ratchet Algorithm, secure one-to-one and group conversations by default in private rooms.
Federated, Decentralized Architecture — Built on the open Matrix protocol, allowing organizations to self-host or connect across independently operated servers rather than depending on one central provider.
Self-Hosting via Synapse or Dendrite — Organizations can run their own homeserver using the reference Synapse implementation or the lighter-weight Dendrite server for full control over data residency.
Cross-Platform Clients — Native apps for web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, all built against the shared open Matrix Client-Server API.
Element Call — Integrated WebRTC-based voice and video conferencing built directly into the messaging client.
Enterprise Identity and Compliance — LDAP/Active Directory and SSO authentication, data retention and export policies, and audit tooling available on Enterprise and Sovereign tiers.
Air-Gapped Sovereign Deployment — A dedicated Sovereign tier supports fully isolated, internet-free deployments for government and defense environments.
Bridging to Other Platforms — Optional bridges connect Matrix rooms to other messaging networks such as Slack, Discord, and IRC, extending interoperability beyond the Matrix ecosystem.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Fully open source under the AGPL with no artificial caps on users, messages, or core features, even on the free self-hosted tier.
Decentralized, federated architecture gives organizations full control over data residency, unlike single-vendor centralized platforms.
End-to-end encryption is enabled by default in private rooms, backed by a well-regarded cryptographic protocol design.
Strong track record with government and defense customers, including deployments in France and Germany, validating its security posture.
Cons
Self-hosting a Synapse homeserver requires meaningful technical expertise and ongoing infrastructure maintenance.
Enterprise and Sovereign tier pricing is not published and requires contacting sales, complicating budget comparisons against competitors.
The federated architecture and richer feature set can feel more complex than simpler, purely consumer-focused apps like Signal.
Some advanced enterprise features, such as SLAs and directory integration, are reserved for paid tiers rather than the free Community edition.
Pricing
Community Free n/a
Enterprise Custom (per seat/month) monthly
Sovereign Custom (per deployment) custom
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Element free to use?
Yes, Element's Community edition is free and open source under the AGPL, supporting self-hosted deployments of up to about 100 users with the full feature set and no artificial limits.
What is the Matrix protocol and how does it relate to Element?
Matrix is an open standard for decentralized, end-to-end encrypted real-time communication; Element is the flagship client and primary commercial sponsor built on top of it, though anyone can build alternative Matrix clients or homeservers.
Can I self-host Element?
Yes, organizations can self-host their own Matrix homeserver using Synapse, the reference implementation maintained by Element, or Dendrite, a lighter-weight alternative, giving full control over data storage and retention.
Was Element previously called Riot or Vector?
Yes, the app launched as Vector in 2016, was renamed Riot later that year, and was rebranded to Element in 2019 along with the parent company.
Does Element support end-to-end encryption?
Yes, Element enables end-to-end encryption by default in private rooms using the Olm and Megolm cryptographic ratchets, based on the Double Ratchet Algorithm also used by Signal.
How much does Element Enterprise cost?
Element's Enterprise and Sovereign tiers are priced per seat per month on a custom basis available on request; the company has previously published reference pricing around $3 to $4 per monthly active user for its Element Matrix Services hosting product.