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Element vs WhatsApp
How the two compare on license, platforms and what the community thinks.
Key differences
- Element is open source; WhatsApp is free.
- Only Element is available on Linux, Self-hosted.
| Feature | Element | WhatsApp |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Secure messaging on the Matrix network | Simple, reliable, private messaging |
| License | Open source | Free |
| Web | ||
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Self-hosted | ||
| Rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Alternatives listed | 0 | 3 |
| Page views | 413 | 1.1K |
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 WhatsApp
WhatsApp is the world's most popular messenger, with end-to-end encrypted chats and calls by Signal's own protocol. It's owned by Meta, which is exactly why privacy-focused users consider Signal or Telegram.