Self-Hosted Element Alternatives

There are many alternatives to Element as a self-hosted solution if you are looking for a replacement. The best Self-Hosted alternative is Matrix, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Element and loads of them are available as a self-hosted solution so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Self-Hosted alternatives to Element are Jitsi Meet, Wire, Mumble and SimpleX Chat.

filter to find the best alternatives

Element alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps, but if you're looking for Video Calling Apps or Instant Messengers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Self-Hosted. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Element.
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Alternatives list

  1. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     392 likes

    Open standard protocol enabling decentralized, encrypted instant messaging, VoIP signaling, IoT device connectivity, and persistent data management across federated servers without central control or single points of failure, bridging communication platforms.

    172 Matrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • WebRTC
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    • Java
    • Perl
    Main Page
     
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    2
    Matrix vs Element Comments
    Ema_Nymton
    Positive
    12

    Element wouldn't exist without Matrix, so it's a great alternative in the way that I am a great alternative to my father.

    Alperen Isa Nalbant
    6

    The matrix is the protocol itself. It is a client for Element Matrix.

    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceElement is Free Personal and Open Source
    • Matrix is Security-focusedElement is not according to our users
  2. Jitsi Meet icon

    Jitsi Meet

     289 likes

    Go ahead, video chat with the whole team. In fact, invite everyone you know. Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can use all day, every day, for free.

    153 Jitsi Meet alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Jitsi Meet vs Element Comments
    davaga6837
    Negative
    1

    It only supports video calling.

    • Jitsi Meet is Free and Open SourceElement is Free Personal and Open Source
    • Jitsi Meet is Security-focusedElement is not according to our users
  4. Wire icon

    Wire

     319 likes

    Wire is the most secure collaboration platform featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration –all protected by the most secure end-to-end-encryption.

    284 Wire alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Wire screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Wire vs Element Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Appears to have a fairly complete feature set for this type of application.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Wire is Free Personal and Open SourceElement is also Free Personal and Open Source
    • Wire is Security-focusedElement is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Virola Messenger icon
    Virola Messenger

    Secure self-hosted platform unites private and group messaging, voice and video meetings, meeting recording, file transfer, issue tracking, screen sharing, remote control, and flexible permissions for on-premises collaboration in...

    https://virola.io
    Learn More
  6. Mumble icon

    Mumble

     485 likes

    Free, open source voice chat featuring low-latency, high quality audio, secure encrypted communication, self-hosting options, in-game overlays, positional audio, scripting support, low resource usage, and robust user permission controls for gaming and collaboration.

    58 Mumble alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    Client (Mumble 1.3.0)
     
  7. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     94 likes

    Open-source messaging platform enabling private, identifier-free chats, encrypted group discussions, file and media sharing, plus audio and video calls. Employs double-ratchet protocol, stores user data on-device, protects metadata, and lets users self-host relay servers.

    70 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
     
  8. Mattermost icon

    Mattermost

     254 likes

    Self-hosted collaboration platform featuring chat, workflow automation, voice and video calling, screen sharing, AI capabilities, broad third-party integration support, cross-platform apps, compatibility with Slack imports, and flexible deployment options for secure team communication.

    137 Mattermost alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • JavaScript
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Go (Programming Language)
    • Cloudron
    Mattermost screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Mattermost vs Element Comments
    davaga6837
    Positive
    0

    Mattermost is FOSS, self-hosted, fast, featured and has pretty good ease of use. A top replacement for Element. It supports matrixbridges to connect to different protocols.

    Paul
    Positive
    0

    One of the best alternatives to Slack (with Riot and Zulip). It's open source and you can self-host it, which means more control over the app and the privacy of the users.

    • Mattermost is Paid and ProprietaryElement is Free Personal and Open Source
  10. Zulip icon

    Zulip

     268 likes

    Threaded group conversations combine live and asynchronous messaging, separating topics for organized collaboration, supporting open-source, cloud, and self-hosted deployments, secure communication with encryption, and multi-platform access for diverse teams.

    229 Zulip alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Zulip vs Element Comments
    Paul
    Positive
    0

    Open-source and privacy focused, like Riot. It's one of the best alternatives to Slack.

    • Zulip is Free Personal and Open SourceElement is also Free Personal and Open Source
  11. Rocket.Chat icon

    Rocket.Chat

     160 likes

    Open-source chat server supporting real-time group, direct, and private messaging, video calls, file sharing, helpdesk chat, API integrations, desktop notifications, emojis, LDAP authentication, cross-platform apps, and customizable extensions for teams.

    145 Rocket.Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    Rocket.Chat screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Rocket.Chat vs Element Comments
    davaga6837
    Positive
    0

    Self-hostable and FOSS like Element and Mattermost. Team chat app. Also supports bridges.

    • Rocket.Chat is Freemium and Open SourceElement is Free Personal and Open Source
  12. Fluxer icon

    Fluxer

     16 likes

    Free and open-source instant messaging and VoIP platform with private DMs, group chats, markdown, file sharing, video calls, screen sharing, moderation tools, quick search, custom emojis, CSS themes, AGPLv3 self-hosting, and multi-device access.

    9 Fluxer alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Fluxer screenshot 1
     
  13. Mirotalk icon

    Mirotalk

     18 likes

    Powered by WebRTC, Real-time video call, chat room and screen sharing entirely browser based.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker Hub
    • YunoHost
    • Cloudron
    Chat window
     
  14. Briefing icon

    Briefing

     29 likes

    The preservation of privacy is the main driver for this project. Secure technologies, such as WebRTC, are used to establish a direct connection between the participants. The website that provides the web application and mediates the communication stores as little data as...

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • npm
    Briefing screenshot 1
     
12 of 50 Element alternatives