Element Pricing 2026

Plans, hidden costs, and cheaper alternatives compared

Is Element worth the price?

90/10

Element's pricing is very fair and generous, especially with a robust free tier offering unlimited messages and E2EE.

The Pro tier at $5 per user/month is competitively priced for teams needing administrative features. This structure is best for individuals and small to medium-sized teams prioritizing security and open-source principles.

Pricing Plans

Free Trial

Free

Personal use

Unlimited messages
1:1 video calls
End-to-end encryption
matrix.org hosting

Pro

$5/per user/month

Teams

Admin controls
Guest access
Compliance tools
Priority support

Enterprise

Organizations

Self-hosting option
SSO/SAML
Audit logs
Dedicated support

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Enterprise pricing is custom, potentially high.

Self-hosting requires internal IT resources.

Guest access might incur additional user fees.

Compliance tools may have usage limitations.

Which Plan Do You Need?

Individuals needing secure, free communication

Teams prioritizing privacy and control

Organizations requiring self-hosting and SSO

How Element Compares to Competitors

Compared to Slack, which starts at $7.25 per user/month for basic features, Element's Pro tier at $5 per user/month offers strong value with enhanced security. While Microsoft Teams is often bundled, Element provides a dedicated secure communication solution at a more transparent and often lower per-user cost for its core features.

Element Pricing FAQ

How much does Element cost?

Element starts at $5/user/month on the Pro plan. A free plan is also available with limited features.

Does Element have a free plan?

Yes. Element offers a free plan called "Free". It includes: Unlimited messages, 1:1 video calls, End-to-end encryption.

Does Element offer a free trial?

Yes, Element offers a free trial. No credit card is typically required to start the trial, though this may vary.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Element?

Yes. Popular alternatives to Element include Microsoft Teams, Discord, Nextcloud, Mattermost. Free alternatives include Microsoft Teams, Discord, Nextcloud. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.