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Element vs Slack
How the two compare on license, platforms and what the community thinks.
Key differences
- Element is open source; Slack is freemium.
- Only Element is available on Self-hosted.
| Feature | Element | Slack |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Secure messaging on the Matrix network | Where work happens |
| License | Open source | Freemium |
| Web | ||
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Self-hosted | ||
| Rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Alternatives listed | 0 | 7 |
| Page views | 413 | 454 |
About Element
Element is a secure messenger built on the open Matrix protocol. Conversations are end-to-end encrypted and decentralized: host your own server or use any Matrix provider, and still talk to everyone on the network.
About Slack
Slack is the channel-based messaging platform that organizes team communication by topic. It integrates with thousands of tools, supports huddles and clips, and replaces long email threads with searchable conversations. Free tier limits message history; paid plans unlock archives and workflow automation.