Element vs Jami: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Element and Jami side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Element
Secure communications platform
Best for you if:
- • You want open source
Jami
Share freely and privately with end-to-end encrypted communication software.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Element requires payment)
| At a Glance | Element | Jami |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $5/user/mo, billed monthly Pro plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Communication Team Chat | Communication Security |
Rating | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 43 reviews | 5.0/5 1 review |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Element or Jami?
Choose Element if
- You want open source
- You want end-to-end encryption
Choose Jami if
- You want a fully free tool (Element requires payment)
- You want completely free and open-source (GNU GPLv3 or later)
- You want end-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy
In-Depth Analysis
Element
Secure communications platform
Element's pricing is very fair and generous, especially with a robust free tier offering unlimited messages and E2EE.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: End-to-end encryption
- Pro: Self-hostable
Weaknesses
- Con: Less polished UX
- Con: Smaller community
Key features
Jami
Share freely and privately with end-to-end encrypted communication software.
Jami's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a fully-featured, end-to-end encrypted communication platform completely free of charge.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free and open-source (GNU GPLv3 or later)
- Pro: End-to-end encryption with perfect forward secrecy
- Pro: Distributed peer-to-peer architecture (no central servers)
- Pro: No personal information required for account creation
- Pro: Unlimited usage (no restrictions on file size, speed, bandwidth, etc.)
Weaknesses
- Con: Relies on donations for continued development
- Con: May require technical understanding for advanced features or troubleshooting
Key features
Plans and prices: Element vs Jami
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Element |
| element.io/pricing read Oct 5, 2026 |
| Jami |
| jami.net read Sep 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Element pricing and Jami pricing.
Key Takeaways
Element
- Choose if you want secure communications platform
Jami
- Choose if you want share freely and privately with end-to-end encrypted communication software
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.2/5 from 43 reviews for Element, 5.0/5 from 1 reviews for Jami; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Element starts at $5/user/mo, billed monthly; Jami has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
What Users Say
Jami Reviews
It was simple and sleek.
E2E encryption is a must now-a-days...PERIOD.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Element and Jami compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.2/5 from 43 reviews for Element, 5.0/5 from 1 reviews for Jami; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Element starts at $5/user/mo, billed monthly; Jami has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Element and Jami used for?
Element: Secure communications platform. Jami: Share freely and privately with end-to-end encrypted communication software.
What does Element cost vs Jami?
Element's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $5/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Jami is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 5, 2026.
What's the main difference between Element and Jami?
Element's main strength: open source. Jami's main strength: completely free and open-source (GNU GPLv3 or later).