Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Element.io VS SimpleX chat

Compare Element.io VS SimpleX chat 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.

SimpleX chat logo SimpleX chat

🚀 SimpleX - the most private and secure chat - now with double ratchet E2E encryption!
  • Element.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20
  • SimpleX chat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-30

SimpleX is a new platform for distributed Internet applications where the privacy of the messages and the network matters most. The current version is stable, robust and can be used from the terminal (command line) on all major desktop platforms (Linux/Mac/Win) and on Android phones in Termux!

There is currently no messaging application that respects user privacy and guarantees metadata privacy — in other words, messages could be private, but a third party can always see who is communicating with whom by examining a central service and the connection graph. SimpleX, at its core, is designed to be truly distributed with no central server. This allows for enormous scalability at low cost, and also makes it virtually impossible to snoop on the network graph.

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.

SimpleX chat features and specs

  • End-to-End Encryption
    SimpleX Chat offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages are only readable by the sender and the recipient, providing a high level of privacy and security.
  • Decentralized Messaging
    The platform operates on a decentralized network, meaning there is no central server that could potentially be a single point of failure or monitoring.
  • Open Source
    SimpleX Chat is open-source, allowing users to inspect the code for any vulnerabilities or privacy issues and enabling community-driven improvements.
  • No User Metadata
    The service does not collect or store user metadata, enhancing user privacy and preventing tracking of communication patterns.

Possible disadvantages of SimpleX chat

  • Limited User Base
    As a newer and less mainstream messaging app, SimpleX Chat may have a smaller user base, which could limit its adoption among friends and contacts.
  • Potential Usability Issues
    As with many privacy-focused platforms, users may encounter a more complex setup or interface compared to mainstream messaging apps.
  • Feature Limitations
    It might lack some advanced features offered by larger, established messaging platforms, such as extensive media sharing options or integrations with other services.
  • Network Reliability
    Being decentralized, the performance and reliability of message delivery might vary depending on the network conditions and the number of participating nodes.

Element.io videos

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

SimpleX chat videos

No SimpleX chat 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 SimpleX chat)
Communication
92 92%
8% 8
Group Chat & Notifications
Chat
70 70%
30% 30
Messaging
96 96%
4% 4

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 SimpleX chat

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...

SimpleX chat Reviews

10 Best Secure Messaging Apps to Keep Your Conversation Private
One of the recent secure messaging apps that has entered the scene is SimpleX Chat. It claims to be the first messaging app that has no user IDs. This private messaging app uses its proprietary platform called SimpleX. It consists of different components including SimpleX Messaging Protocol, TLS protocol, and more. Leaving the technical jargon behind, SimpleX Chat offers...
Source: beebom.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SimpleX chat seems to be a lot more popular than Element.io. While we know about 67 links to SimpleX chat, 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)

SimpleX chat mentions (67)

  • Multiple Russia-Aligned Threat Actors Actively Targeting Signal Messenger
    I found SimpleX recently (https://simplex.chat/), which got my attention because it uses a unique account schema that doesn't have any individual account identifiers. It's got some interesting features. Not sure about user-friendliness since I don't use other messaging apps to know what to expect. It's mostly just interesting to me that they did away with the username entirely and they instead have users connect... - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Haskell: A Great Procedural Language
    Https://simplex.chat/ Private messenger for desktop and mobile platforms. It's mostly written in Haskell except for UI. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Show HN: Simplex: Automate browser workflows using code and natural language
    I for one did not make that connection. Only thing I thought of was https://simplex.chat/ (which is fortunately not marketed as a dating app). - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • SimpleX: Messaging and Application Platform
    Thread link is to a whitepaper. https://simplex.chat/ is the main site. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Telegram will now hand over phone number and IP for criminal suspects
    No IDs, only connect to the users you choose to connect with SimpleX comes to mind https://simplex.chat/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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

Briar - Secure messaging, anywhere

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!