Element
Business instant messaging software
Internal communications software
Frontline worker communication platforms software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$15 per month
Free TrialFree version
Small
Medium
Large
- Energy and utilities
- Public sector and nonprofit organizations
- Banking and insurance
What is Element
Element is a business messaging client built on the Matrix open standard for real-time chat and collaboration. It supports 1:1 and group messaging, voice/video calling, and file sharing for organizations that want control over data residency and deployment options. Element can run as a hosted service or be self-hosted, and it can federate with other Matrix servers for cross-organization communication. Typical users include IT-led teams, regulated industries, and distributed workforces that need secure internal communications.
Open standard and federation
Element uses the Matrix protocol, which supports federation across independently operated servers. This can reduce vendor lock-in compared with closed messaging networks and enables cross-organization communication without forcing all parties onto one tenant. It also allows organizations to integrate with other Matrix-compatible clients and services. This is useful when internal communications must span multiple business units or partners.
Flexible deployment and control
Element offers both cloud-hosted and self-hosted deployment models, which helps organizations align with internal security and compliance requirements. Self-hosting can support specific data residency, retention, and network isolation needs that are harder to satisfy with purely SaaS-only tools. Admins can manage server configuration and policies at the infrastructure level when using a self-managed Matrix homeserver. This flexibility is often relevant for regulated or security-sensitive environments.
Security-focused architecture
Element supports end-to-end encryption for messaging, which can help protect message content in transit and at rest on servers when configured appropriately. It also provides administrative features for managing users, rooms, and access policies in organizational deployments. For teams that need auditable controls, Element’s separation between client and server components can support tailored security postures. This can be a differentiator versus tools optimized primarily for general workplace collaboration.
Administration can be complex
Self-hosting typically requires operating and maintaining a Matrix homeserver, which adds infrastructure and security responsibilities. Organizations may need specialized expertise for scaling, backups, upgrades, and incident response. Compared with fully managed internal communications suites, the operational overhead can be higher. This can be a barrier for smaller teams without dedicated IT resources.
User experience varies by setup
Features and reliability can depend on server configuration, federation choices, and encryption settings. In federated environments, cross-server room performance and moderation workflows can be less predictable than in single-vendor, single-tenant systems. Some organizations may need to standardize client versions and policies to ensure consistent behavior. This can increase rollout and change-management effort.
Not frontline-first by default
Element is primarily a secure messaging platform rather than a purpose-built frontline worker suite. It does not natively focus on scheduling, task checklists, time tracking, or shift-based workflows that are common in frontline communication platforms. Organizations targeting frontline use cases may need additional tools or custom integrations. This can limit Element’s out-of-the-box fit for retail, hospitality, or field-service operations.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Community (Element Server Suite Community) | Free | Open-source under AGPL; official FOSS distribution; frontend and backend free; includes Element Call; self-hosted. |
| Element Cloud / Element On-premise (Baseline) | $3 per monthly active user (MAU) | Baseline paid plan (replaces older Nickel/Silver). Includes Element Matrix Services admin interface and support within one business day. Element Cloud: available from 5 seats (minimum). Element On-premise: available from 250 seats. |
| Element Enterprise (Cloud / On-premise) | $4 per monthly active user (MAU) | Enterprise-tier features include data retention policies, managed deployment protocol, mobile security pack, 99.9% uptime SLA. Single-tenant for customers >500 users; optional add-ons (SSO, antivirus scanning, audit bots). |
| Sovereign / Air-gapped (Element Server Suite Pro for air-gapped deployments) | Priced per deployment / Contact sales | Air-gapped installation with dedicated mobile push gateway; sold per-deployment; contact Element sales for quote. |
Seller details
New Vector Ltd
London, United Kingdom
2019
Private
https://element.io/
https://x.com/element_hq
https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-vector-ltd
