Yes, Element is free to use with no time limit and no usage cap that forces a paid upgrade. The free plan includes Voice and video calls with Element Call for 1:1 and group chat. No credit card is required to sign up.
About
Element is a secure communications platform built on the Matrix open standard. It provides self-hosted and air-gapped messaging, voice and video calls, federation between separate organisations, and administrative controls for enterprise and public-sector deployments.
The free offering is the Element Server Suite Community edition, which is an open-source AGPL self-hosted homeserver distribution. The pricing page describes it as free of charge for both frontend and backend, includes Element Call, and positions it for non-professional deployments and evaluations.
- Open-source AGPL community edition
- Free frontend and backend
- Self-hosted homeserver deployment
- Includes Element Call
- Matrix federation support
- End-to-end encrypted messaging
- Windows, Mac, Linux, browser clients
Free Tier Value
This free tier is perpetual and self-hosted, with no usage cap shown on the page, so it behaves like an uncapped open-source offering rather than a metered plan. Because the community edition is already free of charge and includes the core app/backend plus Element Call, there isn’t a defensible monthly dollar equivalent to anchor against a paid tier.
What's included in the free tier
Verified
- Access to the Element app for free.
- Unlimited data history.
- End-to-end encryption by default.
- Cross-signed device verification.
- Private invite-only rooms.
- Messaging features including threads, read receipts, attachments, voice messages, polls, emojis, and reactions.
- Collaboration features including embedded links, share-to capabilities, file sharing, polls, reactions, and integrations.
- Voice and video calls with Element Call for 1:1 and group chat.
- Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, browser, App Store, Google Play, and F-Droid.
See Element pricing for current limits.
Paid plans
Element Server Suite Community
- users
- 1-100
- Open source under AGPL
- Official FOSS distribution from Element
- Includes Element Call
- Self-hosted
Element Server Suite Pro
- users
- From 100
- Includes Synapse Pro
- Enhanced security and support
- Corporate oversight and control
- Dynamic scaling and cost savings
- Professional use
- Self-hosted
Element Server Suite Pro
- deployment
- Per deployment
- Includes Synapse Pro
- Operate without internet connectivity
- Dedicated mobile push gateway
- Air-gapped installation
- Complete sovereignty
Pricing extracted from Element's pricing page. Always verify current pricing before committing.
Common questions
Is Element free forever?
Yes. Element is free forever, with no time limit and no usage threshold that forces a paid plan.
Does Element require a credit card?
No. You can start on Element's free tier without entering card details.
What is Element's free tier worth?
Element's free tier has no dollar cap - it's unlimited, with no usage threshold that forces a paid plan. That maps to an FTV score of 100/100. The FTV score is explained at freetier.co/ftv.
