Element

Name: Element
Brand: Element

Secure, fast, decentralized: Element brings sovereign real-time communication to your team – encrypted on every device.

Element is a technology company founded in 2017 and headquartered in London, specializing in secure, sovereign, and interoperable real-time communication solutions.

BenchTrust Score:90/100

Independent B2B performance index (0–100 points). It is calculated mathematically and without subjective influence from four verified pillars: company stability, aggregated feedback from publicly available online sources, documented compliance certifications, and operational transparency. Comparable with other software providers.

BenchTrust Index weighting: Company stability 25 points · Customer reviews 30 points · Compliance & security 25 points · Transparency 20 points. Without reviews a neutral average is used; a few reviews move it only slightly

Review data basis: G2 (46), Capterra (46), Trustpilot (83)

BenchTrust takes the average rating and review count from the review platforms listed. BenchTrust does not itself verify whether individual reviews come from actual customers; according to the platforms, they apply their own verification procedures.

Overview

Element is a technology company founded in 2017 and headquartered in London, specializing in secure, sovereign, and interoperable real-time communication solutions. With around 110 employees, the company develops products based on the decentralized, open-source Matrix protocol. The platform serves as a highly secure alternative to traditional tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and WhatsApp. Element offers end-to-end encrypted messaging services, VoIP telephony, and video conferencing for businesses, government agencies, healthcare, and the defense sector. Core products include the Element App (web, desktop, and the mobile app Element X) as well as flexible hosting options such as the Element Server Suite for on-premise installations and the Element Enterprise Cloud. A key advantage is interoperability: through bridges, Element can be seamlessly connected to other platforms like Teams, Signal, or WhatsApp. The company places the highest value on digital sovereignty and compliance. Its solutions meet strict security standards and comply with GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA. The company is led by CEO Matthew Hodgson.

Core features

End-to-end encrypted real-time communication (messaging, VoIP, and video)Core

Decentralized architecture based on the open Matrix standard

Element X: Fast and secure mobile app for iOS and Android

Flexible hosting options (on-premise via Element Server Suite or Element Cloud)

Interoperability and bridges to third-party platforms (Teams, Slack, WhatsApp, Signal)

Federation and guest access across different Matrix homeservers

Comprehensive administration and moderation tools for rooms and users

Compliance & security

ISO 27001

Information security

SOC 2

Security and availability

DSGVO/GDPR

GDPR compliant

HIPAA

Protection of health information

Contact the provider

element.io

Supported languages

AI assistant for Element

Ask about features, integrations, data protection or onboarding – answers in seconds.

Answers are based on the website and documents of Element.

💬 Customer feedback summary

75% mention this

Security & encryption

65% mention this

Decentralization & data sovereignty

60% mention this

Usability & interface

70% mention this

Range of functions (group chats, audio/video, bridges to other messengers)

Summary of customer feedback

Customers rate Element predominantly positively, highlighting in particular security, encryption, decentralization, and the extensive range of functions. The main strengths are considered to be data protection, digital sovereignty, and flexible collaboration features (group chats, audio/video calls, bridges to other systems), while criticisms tend to focus on performance, occasional UI inconsistencies, and the sometimes complex setup of a custom Matrix homeserver. Element is particularly suitable for security- and privacy-conscious companies, public institutions, and tech-savvy teams that prioritize open standards (Matrix) and control over their communication infrastructure.

AI-generated summary

📰 News & community feedback

🚀 Product updates & press releases

Element is further driving its positioning in the field of sovereign and secure communication through targeted product updates and strategic partnerships in the public sector. The introduction of the Element Server Suite (ESS) enables companies and public authorities to simplify the management of their decentralized communication infrastructure while maintaining maximum compliance. By integrating tap-proof video conferencing via Element Call and adapting to national security standards, the company is strengthening its market presence in Europe, particularly in the German B2G sector.

•Product Update: Introduction of the Element Server Suite (ESS) for centralized management and scaling of secure, Matrix-based communication networks.
•Security Feature: Integration of Element Call for fully end-to-end encrypted VoIP and video conferencing directly in the client.
•Partnerships & B2G: Deepening cooperation with authorities and public administration to establish sovereign communication channels (such as the TI-Messenger).
•Compliance & Interoperability: Consistent alignment with open standards and legal requirements for digital sovereignty in the European region.

Source: Publicly available product updates or press releases from Element.

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