Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Element.io VS Matrix.org

Compare Element.io VS Matrix.org and see what are their differences

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.

Matrix.org logo Matrix.org

Matrix is an open standard for decentralized persistent communication over IP.
  • Element.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20
  • Matrix.org Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-21

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.

Matrix.org features and specs

  • Decentralization
    Matrix.org is built on a decentralized architecture, meaning no single entity controls the entire network. This ensures greater resilience, scalability, and prevents single points of failure.
  • Interoperability
    The platform is designed to bridge communications with other networks, such as Slack, IRC, and others, facilitating seamless interaction across different services.
  • End-to-End Encryption
    Matrix.org supports end-to-end encryption, ensuring that conversations are secure and private, and only accessible to the intended recipients.
  • Open-Source
    Matrix.org is an open-source project, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and contribute to the code base, which promotes transparency and continuous improvement.
  • Rich Communication
    The platform supports a variety of communication forms, including text, voice, video, and file sharing, making it versatile for different use cases.

Possible disadvantages of Matrix.org

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up a Matrix server can be complex and resource-intensive, requiring technical expertise which may not be accessible to all users.
  • Latency
    Due to its decentralized nature, users might experience higher latency compared to centralized messaging platforms, particularly in global communications.
  • Limited Network
    While Matrix is growing, its network is still smaller compared to mainstream alternatives, which might affect user adoption and community size.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running a Matrix server can be resource-intensive in terms of memory and CPU usage, which might demand higher infrastructure costs.
  • Learning Curve
    Users and administrators might face a steep learning curve due to the complexity of Matrix's features and configurations.

Element.io videos

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

Matrix.org videos

No Matrix.org videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Element.io and Matrix.org)
Communication
54 54%
46% 46
Group Chat & Notifications
Messaging
60 60%
40% 40
Chat
100 100%
0% 0

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 Matrix.org

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...

Matrix.org Reviews

Top 10 Team Chat Software for a Self-Hosted environment specifically designed for Large Enterprises
Matrix.org never charges. It's completely free. Its free servers are open to all for public registrations.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Matrix.org seems to be a lot more popular than Element.io. While we know about 592 links to Matrix.org, 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)

Matrix.org mentions (592)

  • Top 10 European Open-Source Projects to Watch in 2025
    End-to-end encryption guarantees respect for privacy rules. Discover further: MATrix Official Site. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Ask HN: Open-source forum platform (HN style)
    NATHAN SCHNEIDER - GOVERNABLE SPACES DEMOCRATIC DESIGN FOR ONLINE LIFE Available as PDF in https://www.ucpress.edu/books/governable-spaces/paper Really full of great advice "Side" projects * https://www.loomio.com * https://matrix.org * https://opencollective.com. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Ergo Chat – A modern IRC server written in Go
    And if it's not, or you need something more secure, there's always Matrix. https://matrix.org. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • US Senators implore Department of Defense to expand the use of Matrix
    No, they're talking about this Matrix: https://matrix.org/ Relevant blog post: https://matrix.org/blog/2024/12/unrelated-cybercriminal-network-taken-down/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Show HN: Open-source private home security camera system (end-to-end encryption)
    Sure, just wanted to tell you about it, as this seems to be defacto standard for foss android apps, for example most if not all https://matrix.org clients use it for push notifications (when you use their de googled build, or don't have play services) available. I also use a Signal fork with UnifiedPush and have some server alert scripts which post to my self-hosted ntfy instance, and the ntfy app itself will... - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

Tox - Send messages, files, create groups and make Tox to Tox audio and video calls. Securely.

Slack - A messaging app for teams who see through the Earth!

Mattermost - Mattermost is an open source alternative to Slack.

Discord - Step up your game with a modern voice & text chat app. Crystal clear voice, multiple server and channel support, mobile apps, and more.