Element review
Updated September 28, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Element pairs a free plan with the free app and community server limits (Free app and community server), which makes it an easy first stop for teams testing secure messaging before they pay. It suits people who want a chat and video tool without a subscription, though enterprise buyers (enterprise) get the fuller picture.
Key facts
- Best for
- A free start with chat and video, no subscription needed.
- Free plan
- Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Usage limits
- Free app and community server (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Tool type
- Chatbot, Video (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2017 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Audience
- Enterprise
- Pricing model
- Free plan
- Official website
- element.io
Apps and profiles
- Get the app
- App StoreGoogle Play
- Elsewhere
- Wikidata
Pros and cons
Pros
- A free plan is included, covering the free app and community server (Free app and community server).
- Chat and video sit in one product (chatbot and video).
- Support runs through email, help centre and community, so help is easy to reach.
- Built for enterprise teams (enterprise) rather than casual use.
Cons
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no phone or live chat listed.
- The free plan is tied to the free app and community server (Free app and community server), so the server side sits with you.
- Shafrik and Infloww have no free plan, so Element is the only one of the three you can try at no cost.
Who it suits
- Enterprise teams (enterprise) who want messaging and video in one place (chatbot and video).
- Anyone who starts on a free plan (free plan) before committing to a paid tier.
- Small businesses that would rather ask questions by email, help centre and community.
Who should look elsewhere
- Qwen, if image and video generation also matter, since its free chat, image and video generation is limited Free chat, image and video gen limited.
- Shafrik and Infloww, if a free plan is not the deciding factor, since both have none.
How Element compares
- 9.3 vs 9.3
- 9.3 vs 9.1
9.3 vs 8.7- 9.3 vs 9.2
- 9.3 vs 9.3
9.3 vs 9.4
9.3 vs 8.5- 9.3 vs 9.2
- 9.3 vs 8.7
- 9.3 vs 8.0
- 9.3 vs 9.5
9.3 vs 9.4
9.3 vs 9.4- 9.3 vs 9.3
9.3 vs 9.1
9.3 vs 9.1
9.3 vs 9.1- 9.3 vs 9.0
9.3 vs 9.0- 9.3 vs 8.9
9.3 vs 8.9
9.3 vs 8.8- 9.3 vs 8.7
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.0
9.3 vs 8.0
9.3 vs 8.0
Frequently asked questions
Does Element have a free plan?+
Yes, a free plan is included, and its terms are simple: the free app and community server (Free app and community server). You can start messaging and video calls at no cost and see whether the tool fits before you look at paid tiers. Free plan is one of Element's pricing models (free plan).
What is Element built for?+
Element is built for enterprise teams (enterprise) and covers two tool types, chat and video (chatbot and video). In practice that means messaging, calls and rooms in one workspace, aimed at organisations rather than casual personal chat. The company is based in the UK (GB) and was founded in 2017.
How do I get help from Element?+
Support runs on email, help centre and community. That gives you email, a help centre and a community, so you can send a message, read the guides or ask other users. Phone and live chat are not among the listed channels, which suits teams happy to work asynchronously.
What does the free plan cover in terms of usage?+
The free plan covers the free app and community server (Free app and community server). In other words, the free tier is tied to Element's own app and its community server, so the hosting and server upkeep are yours rather than part of a hosted vendor plan.
How does Element's pricing compare with other tools in the category?+
The median starting price across the category is €17.54, with most plans sitting between €14.07 and €30.26. Element stands apart on the free plan, since Shafrik and Infloww have none and Qwen's free access is limited Free chat, image and video gen limited.
Can I use Element for video as well as messaging?+
Yes. Element's tool types cover both chat and video (chatbot and video), so calls sit alongside text messaging inside the same product. Its audience is enterprise teams (enterprise), which suits organisations rolling out secure messaging to staff rather than individuals messaging friends.
What do the free plans of the other options look like?+
Shafrik has no free plan, and Infloww has no free plan either. Qwen offers free access, but with limits on chat, image and video generation Free chat, image and video gen limited. Element's free plan covers the free app and a community server Free app and community server, so it is the roomiest no-cost starting point of the four.
Sources
- element.io checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Audience, Pricing model, Tool type
“Trusted by secure organisations”
- element.io/help checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Support channels
“please email support@element.io”
- element.io/pricing checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Free plan, Usage limits
“Free of charge frontend and backend”
- eu-startups.com/2020/05/london-based-new-vector-nabs-e4-1... checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded, Headquarters
“New Vector, founded in 2017, is on a mission”
Compiled from 4 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Price from.