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
- 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.
