Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups
Register | Login

Zulip VS Element.io

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

VoIPstudio
VoIPstudio is an award-winning VoIP system that offers businesses of all sizes a scalable communication solution. It’s inexpensive, easy-to-use, offers a full suite of PBX features, and is fully integrated for CRM. featured
Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Zulip logo Zulip

Chat for distributed teams. Zulip combines the immediacy of real-time chat with an email threading model. With Zulip, you can catch up on important conversations while ignoring irrelevant ones.

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.
  • Zulip Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • Element.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20

Zulip features and specs

  • Threaded Conversations
    Zulip's unique approach to messaging allows users to conduct separate threaded conversations within the same channel, making it easier to follow and manage multiple discussions simultaneously.
  • Open Source
    Zulip is open-source software, meaning you can modify and self-host it, providing greater flexibility and control over your communication environment.
  • Powerful Search
    Zulip offers a robust search functionality that allows users to quickly find messages, files, and details across channels and threads, improving efficiency.
  • Integrations
    Zulip supports a wide variety of integrations with other tools and services, enhancing productivity and ensuring seamless workflows.
  • Cross-Platform
    Zulip is available on multiple platforms, including web, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), and mobile (iOS, Android), ensuring accessibility and convenience.
  • Granular Notification Settings
    Users have comprehensive control over notification settings, allowing them to manage their time and focus better by receiving only the alerts they need.
  • Scalability
    Zulip is designed to handle a large number of users and messages, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes.
  • Security
    Zulip offers robust security features, including end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and compliance with various industry standards.

Possible disadvantages of Zulip

  • Steeper Learning Curve
    New users may find the interface and the concept of threaded conversations initially challenging to grasp compared to more traditional chat apps.
  • Limited Market Adoption
    Zulip is not as widely adopted as other chat platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, which might limit its support ecosystem and community resources.
  • Less Familiar UX
    Users accustomed to mainstream chat applications may find Zulip's user experience less intuitive, requiring time to adapt.
  • Integration Complexity
    While integrations are a strong point, implementing and managing these integrations can sometimes be complex and require additional technical expertise.
  • Mobile App Experience
    Some users report that the mobile app experience is less polished compared to the desktop or web versions, which can be frustrating for heavily mobile-dependent users.
  • Feature Volume
    The abundance of features can sometimes be overwhelming for users who only need basic chat functionality, potentially leading to a cluttered interface.

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.

Analysis of Zulip

Overall verdict

  • Zulip is a solid option for teams looking for a more structured and organized communication platform, especially if threading and open-source flexibility are priorities.

Why this product is good

  • Zulip is considered a good choice for team communication due to its unique threading model, which allows for more organized discussions. It helps prevent conversations from getting jumbled together, as often happens in other chat platforms. Additionally, Zulip is open-source, providing more control and customization options for users, and it integrates with numerous tools to enhance productivity. Its user-friendly interface and robust search capabilities also contribute to a positive user experience.

Recommended for

    Zulip is recommended for organizations and teams that value open-source software, require structured threading for discussions, and want to maintain organized communication channels. It's also ideal for remote teams or any group that engages in complex, multi-topic dialogues.

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.

Zulip videos

+ Add

Zulip - a Free, Open Source, Self Hosted Alternative to Slack and Microsoft Teams Chat.

More videos:

Element.io videos

+ Add

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Zulip and Element.io)

Zulip

Element.io

Communication
22 22%
Communication
78% 78
Group Chat & Notifications
21 21%
Group Chat & Notifications
79% 79
Messaging
22 22%
Messaging
78% 78
Instant Messaging
100 100%
Instant Messaging
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Zulip and Element.io. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

Zulip Reviews

7 best Mattermost alternatives for secure business messaging
Zulip is a team chat and communication tool that allows business teams to collaborate efficiently. It is an open-source tool and offers a unique thread-based model that allows topic-based discussions internally. So, it is easy to coordinate multiple projects and hold virtual discussions with cross-functional teams.
Source: www.rocket.chat
12 Best Self-hosted Chat Platforms For Team Communication
Zulip’s team chat platform acts like a moderator in sending in only relevant messages and ignoring the spamming ones. It follows a threading model and hence topic-based chats are seamlessly possible.
Source: www.mirrorfly.com
Zulip 5.0: Threaded open-source team chat
Zulip for Education. We have seen more and more educators using Zulip as the communication hub for their classes. Zulip’s threading model makes it a great fit for posting lecture notes and announcements, answering students’ questions, and coordinating with teaching staff all in one place. In response to interest from educators, we have launched a dedicated Zulip for...
Source: blog.zulip.com
Top 10 Team Chat Software for a Self-Hosted environment specifically designed for Large Enterprises
Catch upon only important conversations and ignore irrelevant ones, is what Zulip says. Open-Source software that was built by hundreds of developers across the globe. The self-hosted delivery model specifically designed for Large Entities provides an excellent production installation guide that lets users deploy it on their networks. Besides its 90 native integrations,...
Source: www.troopmessenger.com
Zulip Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions Do you have special plans for open source projects, non-profits, groups of friends, and other non-commercial entities? Does Zulip scale to a large number of users? Can I pay by credit card and/or invoice? Can I start on Zulip Cloud and later move to On-Premise? How are guest users billed? Who can I contact if I have further questions?
Source: zulipchat.com

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...
Source: solutionsuggest.com
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...
Source: www.maketecheasier.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Zulip seems to be a lot more popular than Element.io. While we know about 60 links to Zulip, 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.

Zulip mentions (60)

  • Did you read the quarter-million-line license for your Slack app?
    Https://zulip.com/ is a pretty excellent chat program that can be self-hosted. - Source: Hacker News / 14 days ago
  • 10 (or so) Things You’ll Love about RestlessIDE
    RestlessIDE allows for a quick install of Zulip team chat on your Host. Zulip is an open-source application that contains all of the features you know and love from Slack or Teams (or maybe not Teams?) but in a self-hosted environment. You can access it remotely using their mobile apps while keeping your data on your Host. It even has video meetings with Zoom integration if you are a customer. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Discord co-founder and CEO Jason Citron is stepping down
    Https://zulip.com/ is good but videoconferencing has to be a 3d party. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Ask HN: User communities that aren't Discord?
    Zulip is a pretty nice option https://zulip.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Slack updates retention policy for free workspaces
    Https://zulip.com is one of the better alternatives with an option for self-hosting. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

Element.io mentions (1)

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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

Mattermost - Mattermost is an open source alternative to Slack.

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

WhatsApp - WhatsApp Messenger: More than 1 billion people in over 180 countries use WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends and family, anytime and anywhere.

Loading...