--- title: Element canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/element/ category: Secure Messaging Apps points: 69 rank: 4 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Element Open-source Matrix messenger with apps on every major system and sign-up without a phone number. 69 points out of 100. #4 of 12 secure messaging apps. Vendor: Element. Website: https://element.io/ - The app is free, and the Community server edition is free for non-professional use [1]. - Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, plus a web app [2]. - Sign-up with a phone number is no longer offered, and email is optional [3]. - Element says end-to-end encryption is the default across nearly all communications, including group messaging and calls [4][5]. - App source code is AGPL-3.0 on GitHub [7]. Verdict: Element suits people who want open-source apps on every system and an account with no phone number [2][3][7]. Element describes encryption as default [4][5], and chat keys can be backed up under a recovery key [3]. The catch: Element runs no bug bounty and links only a 2016 outside audit, and its pages state no group-size limit, no disappearing-message timer and no transparency report [3][4][8]. Best for: People who want open-source apps on every platform and no phone number. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Encryption | End-to-end encrypted by default | Yes | 12/12 | Features page: default end-to-end encryption [4]. Blog: default across nearly all communications, including group messaging and calls [5]. The help centre ties encryption to room settings [3]. | | Encryption | Post-quantum key exchange | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's features page or its blog posts on encryption [4][5]. | | Encryption | Encrypted backups | Yes | 4/4 | Key storage backs up message keys encrypted before they leave the device; a 48-character recovery key restores them; not even the account provider can use them [3]. | | Source and audits | Open-source apps | Yes | 8/8 | Element Web and Element X for iOS and Android are AGPL-3.0 on GitHub [7]. | | Source and audits | Independent audit since 2022 | No | 0/10 | The only audit its encryption page links is NCC Group's review of Olm, dated November 2016 in the file name [9]. | | Source and audits | Public bug bounty | No | 0/4 | The disclosure policy says Element has no bug bounty programme at the moment [6]. | | Source and audits | Transparency report | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's privacy policy [8]; no transparency report is linked. | | Sign-up and identity | No phone number needed | Yes | 12/12 | Help centre: registering with a phone number is no longer offered; email is optional [3]. | | Sign-up and identity | Contacts by username | Yes | 4/4 | Your username creates a Matrix ID that tells you apart from others; the help centre says this keeps your email confidential [3]. | | Chats and calls | Disappearing messages | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's help centre or features page [3][4]. | | Chats and calls | Largest group chat | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's help centre or features page [3][4]. | | Chats and calls | Encrypted voice and video calls | Yes | 5/5 | Element's encryption blog says end-to-end encryption is the default across nearly all communications, including group messaging and calls [5]. | | Systems | Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web | 12/12 | Download page lists desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux, mobile apps, and the web app; none is labelled beta [2]. | | Systems | Windows works without the phone | Yes | 4/4 | Accounts use a Matrix ID with no phone link, so the desktop and web apps work on their own [2][3]. | | Price | Cost for one person | $0 | 8/8 | Pricing page links a free app download; the Community edition is free of charge [1]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Element app | Free [1][2] | $0 | | Community | Free [1] | $0 | Enterprise and Sovereign plans are for organisations and show no public prices [1]. ## Strengths - Apps for all six platforms in the category, including a web app [2]. - Account creation needs no phone number; email is optional [3]. - Chat key backup is encrypted, and no one but you, not even your account provider, can use the keys [3]. - App source code is public under AGPL-3.0 [7]. ## Limits - Element says it has no bug bounty programme at the moment [6]. - The help centre says messages are encrypted only in rooms with encryption enabled [3]. - The only audit its encryption page links is NCC Group's 2016 review of Olm, before the 2022 cut-off [9]. - No government-request transparency report is linked from its privacy policy [8]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - Element says its end-to-end encryption is the highest grade, and that Matrix encryption was audited by NCC Group [9]. ## Sources 1. [Element pricing](https://element.io/pricing), Element, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Download Element](https://element.io/download), Element, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Element help](https://element.io/help), Element, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Element features](https://element.io/features), Element, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [End-to-end encryption](https://element.io/blog/end-to-end-encryption/), Element, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Security disclosure policy](https://element.io/security/security-disclosure-policy), Element, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [element-hq on GitHub](https://github.com/element-hq), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Element privacy policy](https://element.io/legal/privacy), Element, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [End-to-end encryption feature page](https://element.io/features/end-to-end-encryption), Element, accessed 2026-10-08