Element vs Rocket.Chat: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Element and Rocket.Chat comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Rocket.Chat wins this matchup. Our overall Team Chat pick is Microsoft Teams. Our free Team Chat pick is Zoho Cliq 7.0. Pick Element if you need communication.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Element
Secure communications platform
Best for you if:
- • You want open source
- • You want end-to-end encryption
Rocket.Chat
Open-source team communication platform
Best for you if:
- • You want open source team chat
- • You want self-hostable
| At a Glance | Element | Rocket.Chat |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Communication | Team Chat |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.2/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Element or Rocket.Chat?
Choose Element if
Secure communications platform
- You want open source
- You want end-to-end encryption
- Your work is communication-shaped, not team chat-shaped
Choose Rocket.Chat if
Open-source team communication platform
- You want open source team chat
- You want self-hostable
- Your work is team chat-shaped, not communication-shaped
| Feature | Element | Rocket.Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 43 reviews | ★4.2/5 530 reviews |
| Categories | CommunicationSecurity | Team ChatCommunication |
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
- +Open source
- +End-to-end encryption
- +Self-hostable
Weaknesses
- -Less polished UX
- -Smaller community
Key features
Rocket.Chat
Open-source team communication platform
Rocket.Chat's pricing is quite fair, especially for its open-source nature.
Watch out
Support limited to 50 users on Starter
Strengths
- +Open source team chat
- +Self-hostable
- +Customizable
- +Federation support
- +Free for self-hosted
Weaknesses
- -Less polished
- -Setup complex
- -Smaller community
- -Limited integrations
- -Performance varies
Key features
Pricing: Element vs Rocket.Chat
| Plan | Element | Rocket.Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $0 Starter |
| Tier 2 | $5 /user/month Pro | $8/user/month Pro |
| Tier 3 | custom Enterprise | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Element pricing and Rocket.Chat pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Element
Want the highest-rated option?
Element: 4.2/5 (43 reviews). Rocket.Chat: 4.2/5 (530 reviews).
Go with: Element
Value user reviews?
Element: 43 reviews (4.2/5). Rocket.Chat: 530 reviews (4.2/5).
Go with: Rocket.Chat
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Element is a communication tool. Rocket.Chat is in team chat. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
Rocket.Chat
- Larger review base (530 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Element
- Better fit for communication
The Bottom Line
Rocket.Chat wins this matchup. Our overall Team Chat pick is Microsoft Teams. Our free Team Chat pick is Zoho Cliq 7.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Element or Rocket.Chat better?
Rocket.Chat is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Element and Rocket.Chat used for?
Element: Secure communications platform. Rocket.Chat: Open-source team communication platform.
What does Element cost vs Rocket.Chat?
Element is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Rocket.Chat is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.