saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

secure messaging app · Element

Element

Open-source Matrix messenger with apps on every major system and sign-up without a phone number.

69/100

#4 of 12 secure messaging apps
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Element suits people who want open-source apps on every system and an account with no phone number2,3,7. Element describes encryption as default4,5, and chat keys can be backed up under a recovery key3. 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 report3,4,8.

Best for: People who want open-source apps on every platform and no phone number.

Where the points come from

Encryption16 of 20
Source and audits8 of 26
Sign-up and identity16 of 16
Chats and calls5 of 14
Systems16 of 16
Price8 of 8

Encryption 16 of 20 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
End-to-end encrypted by defaultYesFeatures page: default end-to-end encryption4. Blog: default across nearly all communications, including group messaging and calls5. The help centre ties encryption to room settings3.12 / 12
Post-quantum key exchangeNot publishedNot published on the vendor's features page or its blog posts on encryption4,5.0 / 4
Encrypted backupsYesKey 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 them3.4 / 4

Source and audits 8 of 26 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Open-source appsYesElement Web and Element X for iOS and Android are AGPL-3.0 on GitHub7.8 / 8
Independent audit since 2022NoThe only audit its encryption page links is NCC Group's review of Olm, dated November 2016 in the file name9.0 / 10
Public bug bountyNoThe disclosure policy says Element has no bug bounty programme at the moment6.0 / 4
Transparency reportNot publishedNot published on the vendor's privacy policy8; no transparency report is linked.0 / 4

Sign-up and identity 16 of 16 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
No phone number neededYesHelp centre: registering with a phone number is no longer offered; email is optional3.12 / 12
Contacts by usernameYesYour username creates a Matrix ID that tells you apart from others; the help centre says this keeps your email confidential3.4 / 4

Chats and calls 5 of 14 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Disappearing messagesNot publishedNot published on the vendor's help centre or features page3,4.0 / 5
Largest group chatNot publishedNot published on the vendor's help centre or features page3,4.0 / 4
Encrypted voice and video callsYesElement's encryption blog says end-to-end encryption is the default across nearly all communications, including group messaging and calls5.5 / 5

Systems 16 of 16 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
AppsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, WebDownload page lists desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux, mobile apps, and the web app; none is labelled beta2.12 / 12
Windows works without the phoneYesAccounts use a Matrix ID with no phone link, so the desktop and web apps work on their own2,3.4 / 4

Price 8 of 8 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Cost for one person$0Pricing page links a free app download; the Community edition is free of charge1.8 / 8

The rule behind each line: how we score secure messaging apps.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Element app1 personFree1,2$0Pricing page links a free app download; apps for desktop, mobile and web [1][2]
CommunitySelf-hosted, non-professional useFree1$0Free open-source server and client; you run the server

Enterprise and Sovereign plans are for organisations and show no public prices1.

Strengths

  • Apps for all six platforms in the category, including a web app2.
  • Account creation needs no phone number; email is optional3.
  • Chat key backup is encrypted, and no one but you, not even your account provider, can use the keys3.
  • App source code is public under AGPL-3.07.

Limits

  • Element says it has no bug bounty programme at the moment6.
  • The help centre says messages are encrypted only in rooms with encryption enabled3.
  • The only audit its encryption page links is NCC Group's 2016 review of Olm, before the 2022 cut-off9.
  • No government-request transparency report is linked from its privacy policy8.

What Element says

Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.

  • Element says its end-to-end encryption is the highest grade, and that Matrix encryption was audited by NCC Group9.

Other secure messaging apps

  1. 1
    SimpleX ChatPeople who want a messenger that holds no account identifier or phone number
    86/100
    $0cost for one person
  2. 2
    ThreemaPeople who want a messenger with no phone number and no subscription
    79/100
    $6/yrcost for one person
  3. 3
    WirePeople who want default encryption and open-source apps without handing over a phone number
    78/100
    $0cost for one person
  4. 5
    SignalPeople who want private chats by default and open-source apps, and accept sharing a phone number
    67/100
    $0cost for one person

All 12 secure messaging apps

Sources

  1. Element pricing, Element. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Download Element, Element. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Element help, Element. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Element features, Element. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. End-to-end encryption, Element. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. Security disclosure policy, Element. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. element-hq on GitHub, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Element privacy policy, Element. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. End-to-end encryption feature page, Element. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: element.io · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Element.