Element
Element is a secure collaboration and messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It’s decentralised to deliver digital sovereignty, and based on an open standard for easy connections and interoperability. It is end-to-end encrypted by default.
What is Element?
Element is a Matrix-based end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) secure collaboration and messaging app.
It provides instant messaging, voice and video calls, screen sharing and file sharing; for 1:1s to huge chat rooms. It’s available to use across Web, Android, iOS, macOS, Windows & Linux.
Its decentralised design delivers digital sovereignty, enabling deployment on-premise or through any cloud provider.
Element Matrix Services (EMS) is the most popular SaaS for corporate use of Element. EMS provides fast performance and enterprise-grade add-ons.
Being Matrix-based, Element provides interoperability between traditional siloed apps. It can bridge into proprietary ‘walled garden’ systems such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and Discord to enable easy connections between different organisations.
End-to-end encryption is provided by default to keep users’ conversations and files safe. Cross-signed device verification uses QR codes or emoji comparisons to guard against imposters and eavesdropping.
Element is built on the
Matrix.org open standard which provides bridges to other systems such as Slack, IRC and a lot more soon.
It provides instant messaging, voice and video calls, screen sharing and file sharing; for 1:1s to huge chat rooms. It’s available to use across Web, Android, iOS, macOS, Windows & Linux.
Its decentralised design delivers digital sovereignty, enabling deployment on-premise or through any cloud provider.
Element Matrix Services (EMS) is the most popular SaaS for corporate use of Element. EMS provides fast performance and enterprise-grade add-ons.
Being Matrix-based, Element provides interoperability between traditional siloed apps. It can bridge into proprietary ‘walled garden’ systems such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and Discord to enable easy connections between different organisations.
End-to-end encryption is provided by default to keep users’ conversations and files safe. Cross-signed device verification uses QR codes or emoji comparisons to guard against imposters and eavesdropping.
Element is built on the
Matrix.org open standard which provides bridges to other systems such as Slack, IRC and a lot more soon.
Recent user activities on Element
- justarandom added Element as alternative(s) to Molly (Signal fork)
- DeGoogle liked Element
- generalSeven Downvoted a comment on ElementIt's fairly good, but not gonna beat WhatsApp anytime soon. it's not the most user-friendly, more for technical types. But if you don't mind that. a great choice.
This excellent project is in beta but it has already the following features:
It's exciting to see what this will be in a year from now.
There are still a few niggles to sort out:
*Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't have to be like that. Turtl and other show text in encrypted clients can be searchable. Have an index file, decrypt it locally and search it locally. Don't understand why it's not done more often.
Also, I'm quietly hoping that ghastly green colour won't be the default and put people off. (Don't worry - you can pick different colours for different rooms.)
Does it have Team Viewer-like remote control, Teams-like file history and ability to lock contact lists, i.e. contacts controlled by admin only? Looking for something for a little business.
Reply written about 4 years ago
#coth
-no, it has no remote control (yet), but Wire has (or only viewer, i am not sure) try it
Reply written almost 3 years ago
Riot recently came out of beta: https://medium.com/@RiotChat/the-big-1-0-68fa7c6050be alt. http://archive.fo/iuZfj Now that we're at a full-fledged release, I can say that New Vector's done a wonderful job. The interface was admittedly quite messy during the beta. The settings were extensive, but were a pain to navigate through and understand. After the update, however, the interface is much more focused and cleaner. Also, it loads a little faster.
As usual, Riot keeps all its previous features, like end to end encryption and voice and video chatting (although I must admit that I haven't used them, because no friends...this is really a recurring theme in my reviews, geez).
As of this writing, I have yet to find the Linux 1.0 version, but I did find it currently on Windows. EDIT: It just entered the software repository for Ubuntu, about an hour after this review. Other distros will probably get it soon.
Anyways, if you're looking for an open source alternative to things like Discord or Slack, give Riot a shot!
[Edited by TerrifiedTyphlosion, February 17]
Actually i think it is very complicated for skype-like users.
I hope they change something on it to be more efficient.
Are you ignoring the null key of RC4 cipher used by Skype for years?
Microsoft monitoring doesn't bother you?
Reply written over 2 years ago
I don' use Skype or M$.
I was talking about their users.
Reply written over 1 year ago
Since (15.07.2020) Riot updated to Element, verification participant and UI are much better now. Its worth a second look!
Reply written over 1 year ago
@relaud
Yeah i've seen that, nicely done. I hope they do something about the database 'cleanup' too.
Reply written over 1 year ago
Great decentralized chat app, many fetures and encryption by default
Pending approval
It finally has spaaaaaaaaaaaaces :)
oss + e2e + video calls + multi-device. What more would I want in a messaging application
It's fairly good, but not gonna beat WhatsApp anytime soon. it's not the most user-friendly, more for technical types. But if you don't mind that. a great choice.