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Element vs Synology Chat: catalog facts
Element	Synology Chat
Freemium The client is free and open source under the AGPL 3.0. Element Matrix Services sells…	Free License-free, but it requires a Synology NAS to host the server.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web, Self-hosted	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web, Self-hosted
End-to-end encryption with cross-signed device verification Federated, so you can run your own server and still reach everyone	Messages stay on your own NAS Optional end-to-end encryption for conversations or channels
Encryption key management confuses people the first time they log in on a new device Heavy on memory for a chat app, and slow with many large rooms	Only runs on Synology NAS hardware Closed source
Downloadable app	Downloadable app, Web application, Self-hosted
Open source	Closed source
License: AGPL-3.0	License not stated
Account needed	Account needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.