Quick answer
Element - Element wins for most builders because it is the more complete free communications stack, with self-hosting, unlimited history, and calls, while Gitter is better only if you specifically want developer-community chat on an always-free hosted service.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve different problems even though both sit in realtime messaging. Element’s free offer is a self-hosted Matrix homeserver distribution, so the shape of the product is infrastructure first: you run the stack, keep unlimited history, and get core messaging plus voice and video calls through Element Call. That makes it better for teams that need control, federation, or a path toward enterprise deployment. Gitter is simpler: it is a hosted developer chat service with public and private conversations that stay free, and it emphasizes community chat over admin control or deployment flexibility. The tradeoff is not quota size, since both are uncapped free offerings, but ownership and scope. Element is broader and more operationally demanding. Gitter is lighter, narrower, and more opinionated around developer rooms.
Element vs Gitter free tier, side by side
| ElementFTV 100 | GitterFTV 90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free accessBoth products are always free, but Element is a self-hosted distribution while Gitter is a hosted chat service. | Free of charge frontend and backend | Entirely free access for all public conversations; entirely free access for all private conversations |
| Message historyElement explicitly says unlimited history in the free tier. | Unlimited data history | Not specified |
| Voice and video callsElement’s free tier includes calls; Gitter’s provided free-tier details do not mention calls. | Included with Element Call for 1:1 and group chat | Not specified |
| Credit card requiredElement explicitly says no credit card required; Gitter’s field says a card is required, based on the provided data. | No | False |
| Deployment modelElement is the more infrastructure-heavy option. | Self-hosted | Hosted on the gitter.im homeserver |
After you outgrow the free tier
Element has a flat free community edition and then moves into paid Pro offerings that are priced either per seat/month or per deployment, so costs rise with team size or deployment needs. Gitter has no paid plans listed here, so there is no documented upgrade path to compare beyond the free service. For small teams, Element can stay free if the community edition is enough, but once you need Pro features or a separate deployment, pricing becomes custom or seat-based. For Gitter, the main cost is not dollars but the limitation that no paid plan data is provided.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Element | Gitter |
|---|---|---|
| 50 users, self-hosted community setupElement community edition is listed for 1-100 users. | Free | Free |
| 120 users, wanting Pro support and controlElement Pro starts from 100 users and is priced per seat/month, but no dollar amount is provided. | Paid, price not listed | Free |
| Air-gapped deploymentElement Pro has a per-deployment option for air-gapped installation and complete sovereignty; Gitter has no comparable paid deployment plan listed. | Contact sales / varies by deployment | Free |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Element when…
- You want a self-hosted messaging stack you can run yourself.
- You need unlimited message history and built-in voice/video calls in the free tier.
- You are planning for federation, air-gapped use, or later enterprise control.
- You want one product that can grow from community edition into a managed deployment path.
Pick Gitter when…
- You want a hosted chat room for a developer community with no paid upgrade needed.
- You mainly need public and private conversations, not a self-hosted stack.
- You want Matrix access but do not want to manage your own homeserver.
- You care more about a simple always-free community chat than admin controls or deployment options.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, Element is the better pick because it gives you a free, self-hosted communications base with unlimited history and calls, plus a clear upgrade path if you outgrow the community edition. Gitter is the better choice only when you want a no-cost hosted chat space for developer communities and do not need to operate the stack yourself. If you expect admin control, federation, or a future enterprise rollout, Element is the safer starting point.
Read the full listings: Element and Gitter. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.