Element
Team Chat
Secure messaging on the open Matrix protocol.
Element is an end-to-end encrypted, decentralized chat app built on Matrix.
Visit Element Compare head to headWhy teams switch
The pain
Slack: Message history paywalls, noisy channels, and pricey per-user plans.
The upgrade
- End-to-end encryption
- Matrix federation
- Self-hostable
- Bridges to other apps
- Can run on your own servers
Trade-offs
- Self-hosting means you handle updates, backups and uptime.
- Smaller ecosystem of integrations and add-ons than Slack.
- Fewer enterprise compliance certifications and admin controls in most cases.
Savings calculator
Team size: 25 seats
Estimated yearly savings
$2,625
$2,625 on Slack vs $0 on Element — 100% less. Prices are editable estimates.
How to migrate
From Slack to Element
- Export. As a workspace owner, export message history from Settings → Import/Export data (JSON).
- Set up Element. Create your workspace and invite one or two people to pilot it first.
- Import. Bring your data in using Element's import tools, starting with what your team uses daily.
- Switch over. Recreate your main channels, then reconnect bots and integrations one by one. Then invite the rest of the team and cancel Slack at the end of your billing period.
How it compares
| Tool | Pricing | Self-host | Best for | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discord | Freemium | Communities and small teams | Voice channels · Screen sharing · Bots | |
| Element | Open source | Security-first organizations | End-to-end encryption · Matrix federation · Self-hostable | |
| Mattermost | Open source | Regulated industries | Self-hosted · Channels & threads · Playbooks | |
| Rocket.Chat | Open source | Organizations needing full control | Self-hosted · Omnichannel inbox · Federation | |
| Zulip | Open source | Async and distributed teams | Topic threading · Self-hostable · Free for open source |