Element AlternativesTop Instant Messengers & Group Chat Apps like Element

Element is described as 'A secure collaboration app with end-to-end encryption and interoperability across web, desktop, and mobile. Includes chat, voice, and video calls' and is a leading instant messenger in the social & communications category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Element for a variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, Windows, Web-based and Mac apps. The best Element alternative is Signal, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Element are Telegram, Matrix, Discord and Pidgin.

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Element alternatives are mainly Instant Messengers, but if you're looking for Group Chat Apps 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

     1354 likes
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    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.

    215 Signal alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
     
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    45
    Comments about Signal as an Alternative to Element
    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.

    LinuxDoge
    Negative
    2

    Just not an alternative. Phone numbers, Google reCaptcha, centralized, slow development. Better than most tracking messengers though.

    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Element Icon
    Signal icon

    • Most users think Signal is a great Element alternative.

    • Signal is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Element.

    • Signal is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Element.

    • 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

     2075 likes
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    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.

    284 Telegram alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • 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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    33
    Comments about Telegram as an Alternative to Element
    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.

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    3 of 5 comments
    Element Icon
    Telegram icon

    • Most users think Telegram is a great Element alternative.

    • Telegram is the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to Element.

    • Telegram is Freemium and ProprietaryElement is Free Personal and Open Source
    • Telegram is Security-focusedElement is not according to our users
  4. Matrix icon

    Matrix

     380 likes
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    Matrix defines a set of open APIs for decentralised communication, suitable for securely publishing, persisting and subscribing to data over a global open federation of servers with no single point of control.

    165 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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    16
    Comments about Matrix as an Alternative to Element
    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.

    Element Icon
    Matrix icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Matrix is a great Element alternative.

    • Matrix is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Element.

    • Matrix is Free and Open SourceElement is Free Personal and Open Source
    • Matrix is Security-focusedElement is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Google Meet icon
    Google Meet

    HD video and audio meetings for up to 250 participants with real-time captions, international dial-in, screen and presentation sharing, secure browser-based access, calendar scheduling, chat messaging, file sharing, and adaptive ...

    https://meet.google.com
    Learn More
  6. Discord icon

    Discord

     1105 likes
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    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.

    191 Discord alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • 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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    22
    Comments about Discord as an Alternative to Element
    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.
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    3 of 7 comments
    Element Icon
    Discord icon

    • Some users think Discord is a great Element alternative, some don't.

    • Discord is Freemium and ProprietaryElement is Free Personal and Open Source
  7. Pidgin icon

    Pidgin

     1529 likes
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    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.

    118 Pidgin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Pidgin screenshot 1
     
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    9
    Comments about Pidgin as an Alternative to Element
    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.

    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.
    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.

    Element Icon
    Pidgin icon

    • Most users think Pidgin is a great Element alternative.

    • Pidgin is Free and Open SourceElement is Free Personal and Open Source
  8. Tox icon

    Tox

     558 likes
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    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.

    212 Tox alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    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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    11
    Comments about Tox as an Alternative to Element
    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.
    Element Icon
    Tox icon

    • Some users think Tox is a great Element alternative, some don't.

    • 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

     283 likes
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    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.

    148 Jitsi Meet alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Jitsi Meet as an Alternative to Element
    davaga6837
    Negative
    1

    It only supports video calling.

    Element Icon
    Jitsi Meet icon

    • Most users think Jitsi Meet is a great Element alternative.

    • 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

     858 likes
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    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.

    224 Slack alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • 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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    17
    Comments about Slack as an Alternative to Element
    LinuxDoge
    Negative
    1

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

    davaga6837
    Positive
    1

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

    Paul
    Positive
    -1

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

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    3 of 4 comments
    Element Icon
    Slack icon

    • Most users think Slack is a great Element alternative.

    • Slack is the most popular SaaS alternative to Element.

    • Slack is Freemium and ProprietaryElement is Free Personal and Open Source
  12. Mumble icon

    Mumble

     480 likes
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    Mumble was the first and is the most successful and wide spread free and open source software for VoIP. It was the first VoIP software to provide low-latency audio suitable for gaming, and at the same time was a pioneer in high audio quality.

    50 Mumble alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    Mumble 1.2.3 Release Candidate – some users in different channels
     
  13. Jami icon

    Jami

     237 likes
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    Jami (formerly GNU Ring, SFLphone) positions itself as a potential free Skype replacement

    160 Jami alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Jami video conference OS X
     
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  14. WhatsApp icon

    WhatsApp

     849 likes
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    Exchange messages without SMS fees using this app for iPhone, Android and desktop, featuring group chats, multimedia sharing, and video calls. The app requires an internet connection and the latest version for optimal functionality.

    249 WhatsApp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Android Wear
    • Apple Car Play
    WhatsApp screenshot 1
     
12 of 301 Element alternatives