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Element is a Matrix communications option with a free plan, and the published profile rates it 6.5. Its strengths include self-hosting, cross-organization federation and air-gapped deployments. The open questions are paid costs and support details. We’ve picked alternatives for teams weighing those needs against hosted chat, async conversations, security or lower starting prices. The Reddit threads we read is about Elementor, not Element, so it does not establish why Element users are leaving.
01Why people leave Element
Paid costs need clarity
The published profile flags paid costs as needing answers. Compare listed starting prices, but check each vendor’s plan details before budgeting.
Support details are unresolved
The profile says Element’s support details need answers before switching. Ask what support is included and what it costs.
You may not need its deployment strengths
Element is listed for self-hosting, federation and air-gapped deployments. If those are not requirements, compare hosted options too.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Async and self-hosted
ZulipZulipZulip is the closest fit here if you value Element’s self-hosting option but want conversations organized around async topics. Its listed best-for use cases include open-source and software communities, and organizations wanting self-hosting. The published starting price is $3.50, with a free plan; compare its topic-based approach against how your team works before moving.
Trade-off: Topics may take getting used to; check whether its conversation structure suits your team.
7.8/10from
$3.50/mofree plan - Deployment control
MattermostMattermostMattermost is worth comparing if deployment control and strict data controls matter more than a low, clearly published paid price. Its listed use cases include self-hosted collaboration and incident playbooks, making it a fit for operations teams too. A free plan is listed, but paid pricing is not published on the vendor's site.
Trade-off: Paid pricing is opaque, and users have been frustrated by free-tier changes.
6.0/10from
Freefree plan - Secure collaboration
WireWireWire suits teams prioritizing encrypted chat or needing SSO, SCIM or on-premises deployment. Those needs overlap with Element’s appeal to organizations that control their deployment, though the published profile does not list federation for Wire. The starting price is $7.45, with a free plan; check the unpublished pricing for larger deployments and support.
Trade-off: Larger deployments and support have unpublished pricing.
7.5/10from
€7.45/mofree plan - External collaboration
SlackSlackSlack is a practical comparison if your main need is channels, integrations or collaboration with external partners rather than Element’s listed deployment strengths. Its published starting price is $7.25, with a free plan. The profile also lists AI tools, but says advanced AI costs more, so price the features your team actually needs.
Trade-off: The free plan is limited; advanced AI costs more.
6.8/10from
$7.25/mofree plan - All-in-one workspace
LarkLarkLark is a fit if you want chat bundled with docs, meetings and workflows, rather than choosing a communications tool primarily for self-hosting or air-gapped deployment. The published starting price is $6, and a free plan is listed. It may suit small teams consolidating collaboration, but check plan limits and add-on costs first.
Trade-off: Plan limits and add-ons can change the attractive starting price.
7.3/10from
$6/mofree plan - Budget-friendly chat
PumblePumblePumble is a lower-cost option for small teams focused on core chat, message history and meetings. Its published starting price is $2.49, with a free plan. That makes it worth comparing if Element’s deployment options are not essential, but the profile advises checking storage, integration and meeting limits before switching.
Trade-off: Check storage, integration and meeting limits.
7.1/10from
$2.49/mofree plan - Notes and to-dos
FlockFlockFlock is worth a look if your team wants chat with shared notes and to-dos, and can work within a Starter plan’s caps. Its published starting price is $4.50, with a free plan. It is less clearly suited to teams choosing Element for self-hosting or air-gapped requirements, so confirm that hosted collaboration is enough.
Trade-off: Starter caps must fit, and PRO billing is annual.
7.1/10from
$4.50/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Element Element (current) | 6.5 | Free | Yes | Organizations that need self-hosting |
| Zulip Zulip | 7.8 | $3.50/mo | Yes | Teams that prefer async conversations |
| Mattermost Mattermost | 6.0 | Free | Yes | Teams needing self-hosted collaboration |
| Wire Wire | 7.5 | €7.45/mo | Yes | Small teams prioritizing encrypted chat |
| Slack Slack | 6.8 | $7.25/mo | Yes | Teams that rely on channels and integrations |
| Lark Lark | 7.3 | $6/mo | Yes | Teams consolidating chat and collaboration |
| Pumble Pumble | 7.1 | $2.49/mo | Yes | Small teams wanting free chat |
| Flock Flock | 7.1 | $4.50/mo | Yes | Small teams wanting free team chat |
Questions people ask
What are some good alternatives to Element?
For self-hosting, compare Zulip and Mattermost; Wire is listed for on-premises deployment. Slack, Lark, Pumble and Flock are other options for teams comparing collaboration features and starting prices. The right fit depends on whether Element’s listed deployment strengths matter to your organization.
Is Element better than Signal?
The published information describes Element as a Matrix communications option but does not provide details about Signal. That is not enough to make a supported feature or price comparison. Compare the two services’ current plan details and requirements before deciding.
What is the Element app?
In the published profile, Element is a communications option based on Matrix. It is listed as a fit for organizations needing self-hosting, cross-organization federation or air-gapped deployments. The profile gives its starting price as not published and notes that paid costs and support details need answers.