Encrypted Matrix messaging & calls
Element (New Vector Ltd) · Communication
Rating
—
No public ratings yet
Trust
8/9
of nine checks verified · Jul 19, 2026
Platforms
3
Windows, macOS, Linux +3
Licence
AGPL-3.0-or-later
Communication
Independently checked by Altapp where possible; developer-reported data is labeled as such. Last full review: Jul 19, 2026.
Element's clients are open source and its encryption library has been independently audited.
End-to-end encryption is on by default and you can choose where your data lives.
A few caveats to weigh before relying on it.
Verification reflects the version listed above. Practices may change between releases. How we verify ›
Our verdict: a mature, independently audited client for the open Matrix network — encrypted by default and self-hostable, a solid default for teams that want to keep control of their data.
Element is a messaging, voice and video app built on the open, federated Matrix network, with end-to-end encryption on by default. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and the web, and is developed by the UK company Element (New Vector Ltd).
Because Matrix is decentralised, you can pick a public homeserver or self-host your own, so message data can stay on your own infrastructure; identities are Matrix IDs rather than phone numbers. The Rust crypto library (vodozemac) and the matrix-rust-sdk crypto layer have had independent security audits by Least Authority, though metadata visibility still depends on the homeserver you use.
Speak freely, message privately
Choose Signal if
you want the simplest phone-based encrypted messenger, run by a nonprofit.
Fast cloud-based messaging at scale
Choose Telegram if
you want a very large network with cloud chats, channels and bots.
Swiss messenger without phone numbers
Choose Threema if
you want a Swiss, no-phone-number messenger you pay for once.
Self-hosted team chat (Slack alt)
Choose Mattermost if
you want a Slack-style single-org workspace with deep integrations.
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Yes — the pricing listed at our last review is “Free · open source”.
Altapp's independent Trust Report (last full review Jul 19, 2026) records 8/9 of nine checks verified, covering source verification, data & permissions, and known risks. Altapp publishes no score or grade of its own — the count is a tally of what could be independently confirmed, and verification reflects the version listed on this page.
Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS · Android · web.
Signal, Telegram, Threema, Mattermost — each with its own verified Trust Report on Altapp. See the full list ›