Element
Encrypted Matrix rooms with real apps and a free public homeserver; running your own server is optional suffering.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-10
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+
- Hosting Model
- Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud)
- Platforms
- desktopmobilewebself-hostedthey host it
- Installation
- Use a free Matrix account in Element Web/mobile/desktop, or deploy Element Server Suite on your own infrastructure
- Operational Setup
- The clean hosted path is easy, but self-hosting the current Element Server Suite means operating a Matrix homeserver and its Kubernetes/Helm-based stack.
- Where Your Data Lives
- Rooms, event history, account data, and media live on the selected Matrix homeserver; encrypted-room keys remain on clients and can be backed up through Matrix's key-backup system.
- The Catch / Trade-off
- Element offers encrypted rooms and proper clients, but it lacks Discord's public friend graph, enormous bot/community ecosystem, and familiar gaming-centric social layer.
Replaces 6 paid apps
up to $50.73/mo ($609/yr) in subscriptions
Element FAQ
Common questions
Is Element free and open source?+
Element is an open-source tool licensed under AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+ that runs on local or hosted. Encrypted Matrix rooms with real apps and a free public homeserver; running your own server is optional suffering.
What paid software does Element replace?+
Element serves as a free replacement for 6 paid SaaS applications: Discord Nitro, Geneva, Mattermost Professional, Microsoft Teams, Pumble, Slack Pro, saving up to $50.73/month ($609/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up Element?+
Installation: Use a free Matrix account in Element Web/mobile/desktop, or deploy Element Server Suite on your own infrastructure. Setup notes: The clean hosted path is easy, but self-hosting the current Element Server Suite means operating a Matrix homeserver and its Kubernetes/Helm-based stack.
What is the catch or trade-off with Element?+
Element offers encrypted rooms and proper clients, but it lacks Discord's public friend graph, enormous bot/community ecosystem, and familiar gaming-centric social layer.