Element AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Group Chat Apps

The best Group Chat alternative to Element is Signal, 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 Group Chat Apps so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Group Chat App alternatives to Element are Telegram, Matrix, Discord and Pidgin.

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Element alternatives are mainly Group Chat Apps, but if you're looking for Instant Messengers or Video Calling Apps 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. Signal icon

    Signal

     1377 likes

    An open-source messaging app emphasizing privacy with encrypted communication. Share texts, calls, photos, and videos without ads or trackers, available across major platforms. Developed by Signal Technology Foundation and praised globally for security measures.

    220 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
     
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    4
    Signal vs Element Comments
    Ruvenss G Wilches
    Negative
    9

    not a self-hosted solution or an enterprise system

    alternativepun3n
    Negative
    1

    Signal is a centralized System, while with Element you can interact with everyone in the federated Matrix-Network.

    davaga6837
    Positive
    2

    Signal is a simple centralized messaging app. However, if your target is achieving maximum security and having a simple and easy to use interface instead of self-hostability go for Signal. Use Element/Mattermost/Rocket Chat for self-hosted channel-wise team chat.

    3 of 4 comments
    • Signal is Free and Open SourceElement is Free Personal and Open Source
    • Signal is Security-focusedElement is not according to our users
  2. Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2084 likes

    Maximize your messaging experience with efficient communication, speedy delivery, and optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats. Engage in unlimited channels and groups up to 200,000 members. Enhance chat management and media sharing with Telegram Premium and its exclusive benefits. All core features remain free.

    291 Telegram alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Apple Car Play
    Telegram Desktop
     
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    5
    Telegram vs Element Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Kimmy Garcia
    -3

    I love the GUI, it's intuitive and user-friendly. Its simplicity is simply the best and the fact that it features a dark theme!

    Top Negative Comment
    Ruvenss G Wilches
    14

    Telegram is not a self-hosted solution. Neither an enterprise product is a peer to peer public product

    Centaro
    Negative
    11

    Telegram has proprietary up-stream code.

    3 of 5 comments
    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryElement is Free Personal and Open Source
  4. 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
  5. Ad
  6. Discord icon

    Discord

     1114 likes

    An integrated platform for text and voice communications. Offers tailored channels for different topics, customizable moderation tools, low latency for fluency, and managed user roles for optimal community facilitation.

    188 Discord alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Epic Games Store
    • Flathub
    • Electron
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
    Desktop UI
     
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    7
    Discord vs Element Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Paul
    11

    I think Discord can be an alternative to Riot since it allows making calls and collaborate, but for me, Riot is more a privacy-focused alternative to Slack and Discord is more aimed at gaming communities.

    Top Negative Comment
    EpicLPer
    7

    Discord is not self-hosted and their support tends to be really on the thin side, not listening to users reasons.

    Guest
    Negative
    3

    Proprietary, not end to end encrypted, not at all privacy focused

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 7 comments
    • Discord is Freemium and ProprietaryElement is Free Personal and Open Source
  7. Pidgin icon

    Pidgin

     1530 likes

    Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log into accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on XMPP and sitting in an IRC channel at the same time.

    120 Pidgin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Pidgin screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Pidgin vs Element Comments
    Ituaf
    2

    By default, Pidgin doesn't support the Matrix protocol, but there are plugins for it. However, it certainly isn't the best alternative to Element, as it lacks many of the features of Element due to it not being designed with Matrix in mind.

    davaga6837
    Positive
    0

    OTR messaging is an old concept with very few user and developer resources behind it. Do not use Pidgin if you want a secure messaging app.

    Guest
    Negative
    2

    Pidgin is a multi protocol client, element is a client only for Matrix. It one day Pidgin supports Matrix, one could compare both just for Matrix.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Pidgin is Free and Open SourceElement is Free Personal and Open Source
  8. Tox icon

    Tox

     560 likes

    With the rise of widespread government monitoring programs, Tox is an easy to use application that allows you to connect with friends and loved ones without anyone else listening in.

    216 Tox alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • F-Droid
    The Universal Tox Client. A Tox client that runs on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, FreeBSD & the web. Written in JS using React & React Native / electron.
     
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    3
    Tox vs Element Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Tox is not a Matrix client.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    4

    Remotely similar, but not nearly enough. Too many features missing from Tox to make it a good alternative to Riot.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    1

    it hasn't a working team audiochat and is very unstable and inactive

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Tox is Free and Open SourceElement is Free Personal and Open Source
    • Tox is Security-focusedElement is not according to our users
  10. 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
  11. Slack icon

    Slack

     862 likes

    Offers unified communication for teams with advanced real-time messaging, contextual features, versatile chat tools, and organized conversations in dedicated channels with integrated file sharing on Mac, Windows, Linux, and mobile platforms for enhanced productivity.

    232 Slack alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Electron
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Slack screenshot 1
     
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    4
    Slack vs Element Comments
    davaga6837
    Positive
    1

    Not open source, chat used to develop generative AI, privacy invasive. Easier and faster than element.

    LinuxDoge
    Negative
    1

    Not open source, not secure, not decentralized. Not an alternative.

    Paul
    Positive
    -1

    Good app to collaborate on projects. Basically, Riot is a privacy-focused alternative to Slack.

    3 of 4 comments
    • Slack is Freemium and ProprietaryElement is Free Personal and Open Source
  12. Stoat Chat icon

    Stoat Chat

     122 likes

    Instant messaging platform supporting text and voice channels, live video calls, secure screen sharing, private group chats, customizable permissions, moderation tools, bot integration, privacy-focused design, open-source development, and cross-platform use.

    57 Stoat Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Stoat Chat screenshot 1
     
  13. 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.

    286 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
  14. Mumble icon

    Mumble

     484 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.

    57 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)
     
  15. SimpleX Chat icon

    SimpleX Chat

     94 likes

    SimpleX - the most private and secure chat and applications platform - now with double ratchet E2E encryption! Built on Haskell with Love and Coffee.

    70 SimpleX Chat alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    SimpleX Chat screenshot 1
     
12 of 149 Element alternatives