Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Element.io VS Hashnode

Compare Element.io VS Hashnode and see what are their differences

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Element.io logo Element.io

Secure messaging app with strong end-to-end encryption, advanced group chat privacy settings, secure video calls for teams, encrypted communication using Matrix open network. Riot.im is now Element.

Hashnode logo Hashnode

A friendly and inclusive Q&A network for coders
  • Element.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20
  • Hashnode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-08-24

Element.io features and specs

  • Open Source
    Element.io is open-source, meaning the code is freely accessible and can be modified by anyone. This allows for transparency, security audits, and customization.
  • Privacy and Security
    Element.io offers end-to-end encryption for secure communication, ensuring that only the intended recipients can read the messages.
  • Interoperability
    It supports the Matrix protocol, which allows for communication across different platforms and services, facilitating greater connectivity.
  • Rich Feature Set
    Element.io provides features such as voice and video calls, file sharing, and integrations with other services, making it suitable for both personal and team use.
  • Cross-Platform
    Available on various platforms including web, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), and mobile (iOS, Android), ensuring accessibility from any device.
  • Customizability
    Users can personalize their experience through various settings and even set up their own server for full control over their data.

Possible disadvantages of Element.io

  • Complexity
    The extensive feature set and customization options can be overwhelming for new users, leading to a steeper learning curve.
  • Performance Issues
    Users have reported occasional performance issues such as slow response times and lag, particularly in larger rooms or with heavy media use.
  • User Interface
    While functional, the user interface may not be as polished or intuitive as other more mainstream messaging apps, which could impact usability.
  • Server Setup
    Setting up your own server for complete data control requires technical expertise and can be time-consuming, posing a barrier for non-technical users.
  • Limited Network Effect
    Despite its capabilities, Element.io has a smaller user base compared to giants like WhatsApp or Slack, which may limit its usefulness for some users.
  • Resource Intensive
    The application can be resource-intensive, particularly on older hardware, which may result in slower performance or increased battery consumption on mobile devices.

Hashnode features and specs

  • Developer-Focused Community
    Hashnode is tailored specifically for developers, fostering a specialized community where you can share technical content and engage with like-minded individuals.
  • Free Custom Domain
    Hashnode allows you to link a custom domain to your blog for free, enabling you to build a personal brand without additional costs.
  • SEO Optimization
    The platform is designed to be SEO-friendly, which helps your posts rank better on search engines, increasing visibility and reach.
  • Markdown Support
    Hashnode supports Markdown, making it easy for developers to write and format their content efficiently.
  • Analytics
    The platform provides built-in analytics, allowing you to track the performance of your posts and understand your audience better.
  • Community Engagement
    Hashnode has features like comments and reactions to facilitate interaction with readers and other community members.

Possible disadvantages of Hashnode

  • Limited Customization
    While you can link a custom domain, the customization options for the blog's appearance and functionality are limited compared to self-hosted solutions.
  • Developer Niche
    The focus on a developer community can be a double-edged sword if your content appeals to a broader audience, as the reach might be limited.
  • Dependency on Platform
    Relying on a third-party platform means you are subject to their policies, rules, and potential changes in service.
  • Content Export
    If you decide to move your blog to another platform, exporting your content can be less straightforward compared to self-hosted solutions.
  • Feature Limitations
    While Hashnode offers various features, it may not provide the extensive range of functionalities available with other blogging platforms or custom-built websites.

Analysis of Element.io

Overall verdict

  • Element.io is a good choice for those looking for a secure and privacy-focused communication platform with rich features and high customizability. Its open-source nature and ability to integrate with other services enhance its appeal to a wide range of users.

Why this product is good

  • Element.io, previously known as Riot.im, is considered a good platform due to its focus on security and privacy, offering end-to-end encryption for conversations. It is built on the Matrix protocol, which supports decentralized communication, making it a versatile and open-source choice for both individual and group communication. It is designed for interoperability and can integrate with other messaging and collaboration platforms. Additionally, it offers extensive customization options and support for both text and voice/video communications.

Recommended for

    Element.io is highly recommended for privacy-conscious users, open-source enthusiasts, tech-savvy individuals, organizations seeking secure internal communication channels, and communities needing decentralized and customizable messaging solutions.

Analysis of Hashnode

Overall verdict

  • Hashnode is generally considered a good option for developers who want to share their knowledge and experiences through blogging. Its focus on the tech community and tools tailored for developers make it a valuable platform.

Why this product is good

  • Hashnode is a platform specifically designed for developers and tech enthusiasts to publish blogs and articles. It offers features like SEO optimization, the ability to map custom domains, and integration with GitHub, making it easy for users to write and share technical content. The community is active and supportive, providing a rich environment for feedback and engagement.

Recommended for

  • Developers looking to build an audience through technical blogging.
  • Tech enthusiasts who want to share and discuss innovative ideas.
  • Individuals seeking a community of like-minded tech professionals.
  • Anyone interested in reading up-to-date content on software development and technology.

Element.io videos

RIOT : Riot.im : A New World Of Open Communication!

Hashnode videos

Take Your Online Presence to the Next Level with Hashnode

More videos:

  • Review - Hashnode: giving voice to people with a blogging platform for Developers - with Sandeep Panda
  • Tutorial - How To Use Custom CSS To Make Your Hashnode Blog Awesome

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Element.io and Hashnode)
Communication
100 100%
0% 0
CMS
0 0%
100% 100
Group Chat & Notifications
Web App
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Element.io and Hashnode

Element.io Reviews

7 best Mattermost alternatives for secure business messaging
Element is a secure messaging and communication software that operates based on the Matrix protocol. It has advanced features that promote internal collaboration and boost team productivity. It offers end-to-end encryption and supports communication through messages, voice, and video calls.
Source: www.rocket.chat
10 Best Secure Messaging Apps to Keep Your Conversation Private
Element.io, which was earlier known as Riot, is a secure chat app that is built around protecting user privacy. It offers end-to-end encryption out of the box, which means that your conversations are fully encrypted and only the sender and receiver can read the messages. After the transition from Rio to Element, the secure messaging app has become more enterprise-friendly.
Source: beebom.com
18 Best Discord Alternatives 2020 | Expert Reviews
Element, formerly known as Riot, is a great alternative to Discord with many of the same features and functions. What sets Element apart is that it was created using open-source software, which allows for customization and flexibility. Element is based on a reaction-based software called Matrix, which allows you to bring other communication channels into the app as well as...
5 best secure private messengers
Neither Riot nor Matrix have been fully audited, although Olm and Megolm have been. Riot.im has been criticized the past for its rather basic user interface, but this no longer true. It still lags behind the futuristic flashiness of Wire, but Riot is now a highly capable messenger with functionality often compared to the corporate messaging workhorse, Slack.
Source: proprivacy.com
11 Alternatives to Whatsapp that Actually Respect Your Privacy
Formerly Riot.im, Element uses Matrix as a back end, and is an excellent chat app for those who like open source from end to end. Everything from the chat client, the chat protocol, and the video conferencing software are all open source, which is an important part of why Element is so respectful of your privacy. In the open source community, people are generally very...

Hashnode Reviews

Best Forums for Developers to Join in 2025
Hashnode is the best place to go for free knowledge sharing. Because we want to foster a good relationship between you and your readers, they don't show any ads or pop-ups on the articles developers share.
Source: www.notchup.com
Top 10 Developer Communities You Should Explore
Hashnode is an online developer community and blogging platform that allows developers to share their experiences, insights, and tutorials. It provides a supportive space for developers to build their personal brand, connect with others, and engage in discussions about software development.
Source: www.qodo.ai
25+ Medium Alternative Platforms for Publishing Articles
Hashnode is a one-stop platform to start blogging as a developer. If you are a developer or tech person, you can start writing with hashnode.
Source: forgefusion.io

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Hashnode seems to be a lot more popular than Element.io. While we know about 133 links to Hashnode, we've tracked only 1 mention of Element.io. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Element.io mentions (1)

Hashnode mentions (133)

  • How we built our docs site
    We looked into a few different providers including GitBook, Docusaurus, Hashnode, Fern and Mintlify. There were various factors in the decision but the TLDR is that while we manage our SDKs with Fern, we chose Mintlify for docs as it had the best writing experience, supported custom React components, and was more affordable for hosting on a custom domain. Both Fern and Mintlify pull from the same single source of... - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Are you Junior… or Jedi Master? Why your first dev job feels like chasing a myth
    Hashnode write dev blogs and build a reputation. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • A Guide to Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) in Strapi
    In a real-life example of a blogging platform like Hashnode or Dev.to, for example, they have very robust RBAC systems. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Updating my website's tech stack in 2025
    The other page was a list of my blog posts that were posted in Hashnode, fetched using Graph QL using Hashnode's API. The posts would then be shown when the user navigated to /post/ , after triggering another request to Hashnode's API. I also built my own solution for i18n and theming and relied on styled-components to do most of the CSS heavy lifting and customization. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Learning in public
    The other big option is to post blogs or notes. It's pretty simple to start a blog right here on Dev.to, or on Hashnode, two blogging platforms specifically for coding. There's also a great community platform on Codedex.io where you can write blog posts, although you do need to complete a few lessons to "unlock" the community features. In these cases, there's already an audience and community on the site, so it's... - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Element.io and Hashnode, you can also consider the following products

Matrix.org - Matrix is an open standard for decentralized persistent communication over IP.

DEV.to - Where software engineers connect, build their resumes, and grow.

Telegram - Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple and free.

Medium - Welcome to Medium, a place to read, write, and interact with the stories that matter most to you.

Signal - Fast, simple & secure messaging. Privacy that fits in your pocket.

GitHub - Originally founded as a project to simplify sharing code, GitHub has grown into an application used by over a million people to store over two million code repositories, making GitHub the largest code host in the world.