Element is a free, open-source chat app built on Matrix, an open, decentralised messaging protocol. Unlike Discord, Telegram or Signal, Element does not depend on one company's servers — anyone can run a Matrix server, and Element users on different servers can still message each other, similar to how email works across providers.
Element vs Discord and Signal
Signal offers strong end-to-end encryption but is a closed, centralised service controlled by one non-profit. Discord is centralised and not end-to-end encrypted by default. Element's advantage is decentralisation: messages are end-to-end encrypted by default in private rooms, and because Matrix is an open protocol, you are never locked into one provider — you can self-host your own server for full control, or use the free matrix.org homeserver, and still talk to people on entirely different Matrix servers.
This makes Element popular with organisations, open-source communities and privacy-focused users who want Discord-style servers and channels without a single company owning all the data. The trade-off is a steeper setup if you choose to self-host, versus Discord's zero-setup convenience.
Element Features
- End-to-end encryption by default in private rooms and direct messages
- Decentralised — built on the open Matrix protocol, not tied to one company's servers
- Self-hosting option — run your own Matrix server for full data control
- Voice and video calls, including group calls
- Rooms and Spaces for organising communities, similar in concept to Discord servers and channels
- Bridges to other platforms (via Matrix bridges) for connecting Slack, Telegram, IRC and more
- Cross-platform and open source — desktop, mobile and web clients, all free
How to Install Element
- Open the official download page. The button on this page opens element.io directly.
- Download the desktop app for your OS, or install the mobile app from your device's app store.
- Create an account on the free matrix.org homeserver, or point Element at a different Matrix server (including a self-hosted one) during sign-up.
- Verify your session using another signed-in device or a recovery key, to enable full end-to-end encryption.
- Join or create a room — search public rooms, accept an invite, or start a new encrypted conversation.
Is Element really free?
Open Source. Element is released under the AGPL/Apache licences depending on component, and the app itself is free to use. Element also offers paid hosting plans for organisations that want a managed server, but running Element on matrix.org or your own server costs nothing.
How to download Element safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for element.io — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering Element. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to Element
Other free communication software worth comparing before you decide:
Signal
Private, end-to-end encrypted messaging.
Discord
Voice, video and text chat for communities.
Telegram Desktop
Fast cloud-synced messaging with large file transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Element completely free?
The Element app and the underlying Matrix protocol are free and open source. Optional paid tiers exist only for managed enterprise hosting through Element's company — individuals using matrix.org or self-hosting pay nothing.
What is the difference between Element and Matrix?
Matrix is the open messaging protocol/standard, similar to how email has SMTP. Element is one chat app built on top of Matrix — there are other Matrix clients too, and they can all talk to each other.
Can I talk to Discord or WhatsApp users from Element?
Not directly — Matrix bridges exist for some platforms (like Slack, Telegram and IRC) that relay messages between Matrix and that platform, but this requires a bridge to be set up and is not automatic for every service.
Do I need to run my own server to use Element?
No. You can create a free account on the public matrix.org homeserver and start chatting immediately, exactly like signing up for any other chat app. Self-hosting is entirely optional, for those who want full control.
Is Element end-to-end encrypted by default?
Private rooms and direct messages are end-to-end encrypted by default in current Element versions. Public rooms intended for open discovery are typically left unencrypted, since encryption and searchable public discovery work against each other.
Tell us what went wrong — a person reads every message and replies. Corrections to this page are treated as priority fixes.
People also search for
The terms visitors use to find this page. Each one lands here because it describes the same program.
Searches from India
Element is identical worldwide — these are search phrasings, not different downloads. Every one of them gets the same official build from element.io.
