Alternatives to Element
The reference Matrix client: end-to-end encrypted chat on a network you can host yourself. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Element
The reference Matrix client: end-to-end encrypted chat on a network you can host yourself.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Element.
FluffyChat
An open-source Matrix chat client with end-to-end encryption, spaces and optional UnifiedPush notifications.
FluffyChat is a simpler Matrix client with UnifiedPush notifications, but lacks Windows and macOS builds and has experimental calls.
Nheko
Use Matrix messaging in a native desktop interface.
Nheko is a native Matrix desktop client that should feel lighter than Electron, though its encryption implementation has not been audited.
Cinny
Chat on Matrix through a focused desktop client.
Cinny is a focused Matrix desktop client packaged with Tauri, without Element's mobile and web apps.
Signal
An end-to-end encrypted messenger for calls and chats on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, run by a nonprofit.
Signal gives end-to-end encryption without choosing a homeserver, but is centralised, cannot be self-hosted and requires a phone number.
Wire
End-to-end encrypted messaging, calls and file sharing for organisations.
Wire provides encrypted messaging and calls with a self-hostable server, but is not federated with Matrix and focuses on paid business plans.
SimpleX Chat
A messenger with no user identifiers at all, not even a random one, so there is no account to correlate.
SimpleX Chat uses self-hostable relay servers with no user identifiers, but has no bridges to other networks and needs link or QR code exchange.
SchildiChat
A family of Matrix messaging apps based on Element, with a more traditional messenger layout.
SchildiChat is built on Element with a more traditional messenger layout, depends on upstream Element for features, and is not open source per its listing.
Fractal
A Matrix chat client for the GNOME desktop on Linux, written in Rust with GTK.
Fractal is a native GTK Matrix client written in Rust for the GNOME desktop, available only on Linux.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Element as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Discord
A voice, video and text chat app for communities and friends, organised into servers and channels.
Element is an open-source Matrix client with end-to-end encryption, self-hostable federation and bridges to Discord, but it can be slow with many large rooms.
Ement.el
A Matrix chat client that runs inside GNU Emacs.
Element is the reference Matrix client with desktop, web, Android and iOS apps and cross-signed device verification, but it is a standalone app that is heavy on memory.
gomuks
A Matrix chat client written in Go, with a web frontend and an optional server backend.
Element is the reference Matrix client with desktop, web and mobile apps and bridges, but it is heavier on memory than gomuks.
iamb
A terminal Matrix client with Vim keybindings, windows and tabs.
Element is the reference graphical Matrix client for desktop, web and mobile, with bridges, but uses much more memory than a terminal client.
Keybase
An end-to-end encrypted messaging and file-sharing app for individuals, teams, families and groups.
Element provides open-source encrypted group chat on the federated Matrix network, letting you run your own server, though key management can confuse new users.
Mattermost
A self-hosted team chat platform with a desktop client, aimed at organisations that want Slack without the cloud.
Element provides federated Matrix team chat you can self-host with end-to-end encryption and bridges, but adds homeserver choice and key management.
NeoChat
A KDE chat client for the Matrix network, available for Linux and Windows.
Element is the reference Matrix client with full cross-signed encryption and clients on every major platform, but it uses more memory and is not KDE-native.
Nextcloud Talk
Chat, video calls and webinars that run on your own Nextcloud server.
Element provides encrypted chat on a self-hostable federated Matrix network with bridges to other services, but without Nextcloud file integration.
Pidgin
A chat client that signs in to several networks at once, supporting XMPP, IRC, Matrix and more through plugins.
Element is a Matrix client that reaches IRC, Slack and Discord through bridges, with end-to-end encryption and apps for desktop, web and mobile.
Rocket.Chat Desktop
Connect to Rocket.Chat workspaces from a desktop client.
Element uses the federated Matrix network with end-to-end encryption and bridges to Slack and IRC, and runs on desktop, web and mobile.
Slack
A team chat platform organized into channels, with huddles, file sharing, app integrations and AI features.
Element moves team chat to the federated Matrix network with end-to-end encryption and optional self-hosting, though it uses a lot of memory with many large rooms.
Stoat
An open-source group chat app with servers, channels, voice chat and role-based moderation for communities.
Element offers federated Matrix rooms and spaces with end-to-end encryption and self-hosting, plus bridges to Discord and IRC, though it uses more memory.
Telegram Desktop
The official Telegram client for the desktop, with open source code and chats that are not end-to-end encrypted.
Element brings end-to-end encryption and self-hosting on federated Matrix with bridges to other networks, though it is heavier and requires choosing a homeserver.
Threema
Swiss encrypted messenger that works without a phone number or email.
Element is free and federated on Matrix with self-hosting and bridges, but asks you to choose a homeserver and manage encryption keys.
Zulip
Team chat organised by topic inside each channel, so conversations stay readable when you come back hours later.
Element brings end-to-end encrypted, federated Matrix rooms with bridges to Slack and IRC, and mobile and web clients, but uses more memory.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Session
An encrypted messenger with no phone number and no account, routed through an onion network.
Delta Chat
A messenger that sends over email, so anyone with an address can be reached without installing it.
Matrix Hookshot
A self-hosted Matrix bot that bridges GitHub, GitLab, Jira, feeds and generic webhooks into rooms.
