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Element alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Element: more complex than mainstream messengers, and key backup and device verification confuse newcomers. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Element, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. FluffyChat currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Signal logoSignalFreeYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 562.6
2Wire logoWireFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +35 of 557.2
3Delta Chat logoDelta ChatOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 455.3
4SimpleX Chat logoSimpleX ChatOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 453.6
  1. Signal logo

    1. SignalTop pick

    Best for: Anyone who wants the strongest mainstream privacy without giving up a familiar chat app

    FreeOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Element

    Simpler to set up, with encryption for everything, if federation and self-hosting don't matter.

    Pros

    • Everything end-to-end encrypted by default, including groups
    • Collects almost no metadata
    • No ads, tracking or paid tier; open source

    Cons

    • Needs a phone number to register
    • Desktop app only works linked to a phone
    • Smaller network than WhatsApp in most countries
    Visit Signal Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Signal a good Element alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Organisation
    Independent nonprofit
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Ads and tracking
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Always on
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app
    Requires Signal on your phone
    Checked Oct 25, 2026signal.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Wire logo

    2. Wire

    Best for: Small teams and organisations that want an encrypted European messenger they can audit or self-host

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Element

    Another encrypted, open-source option with self-hosting, aimed more at businesses.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption with the MLS standard
    • Sign up with email, no phone number required
    • Open source, with on-premises deployment

    Cons

    • Few personal contacts use it
    • Product direction centres on businesses
    • Free plan limited to small teams
    Visit Wire Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Wire a good Element alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Free for teams up to 5 people
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wire.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    €7.45 per person/month (annual)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wire.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Devices
    Up to 8
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wire.com(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPL-3.0 (web app)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    MLS, end-to-end by default
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wire.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Delta Chat logo

    3. Delta Chat

    Best for: People who want decentralised, encrypted chat with sign-up as easy as a mainstream app

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Element

    Decentralised via email-style relays, with simpler onboarding than running a Matrix server.

    Pros

    • Instant sign-up without a phone number
    • Decentralised relays based on open email standards
    • In-chat web apps for games and collaboration

    Cons

    • Less polished than mainstream messengers
    • Small user base
    • Calling is newer and more limited
    Visit Delta Chat Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Delta Chat a good Element alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0 (Android app)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    Audited end-to-end encryption
    Checked Oct 25, 2026delta.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Accounts
    Chatmail relays
    Checked Oct 25, 2026delta.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    In-chat apps
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026delta.chat(opens source in a new tab)
  4. SimpleX Chat logo

    4. SimpleX Chat

    Best for: Privacy-focused users and groups who want to minimise metadata as far as possible

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Element

    Self-hostable relays with no user identifiers at all.

    Pros

    • No phone numbers, usernames or account IDs
    • Self-hostable relay servers
    • Open source and independently audited

    Cons

    • No contact discovery; you must share links
    • Multi-device use and phone migration are awkward
    • Large groups can be slow
    Visit SimpleX Chat Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SimpleX Chat a good Element alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    User identifiers
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplex.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly users
    600K
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplex.chat(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplex.chat(opens source in a new tab)

The best Element alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

FluffyChat logo

Best Element alternative for most people

FluffyChat

A friendlier Matrix app on the same network, easier for less technical friends.

Signal logo

Best Element alternative for a free option

Signal

Simpler to set up, with encryption for everything, if federation and self-hosting don't matter.

Wire logo

Best Element alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Wire

Another encrypted, open-source option with self-hosting, aimed more at businesses.

Delta Chat logo

Best Element alternative for open source

Delta Chat

Decentralised via email-style relays, with simpler onboarding than running a Matrix server.

SimpleX Chat logo

Best Element alternative for self-hosting

SimpleX Chat

Self-hostable relays with no user identifiers at all.

Discord logo

Best Element alternative for Mac

Discord

More polished community features and voice channels, at the cost of openness and privacy.

FluffyChat logo

Best Element alternative for Windows

FluffyChat

A friendlier Matrix app on the same network, easier for less technical friends.

FluffyChat logo

Best Element alternative for Linux

FluffyChat

A friendlier Matrix app on the same network, easier for less technical friends.

FluffyChat logo

Best Element alternative for iPhone and Android

FluffyChat

A friendlier Matrix app on the same network, easier for less technical friends.

FluffyChat logo

Best Element alternative for working in the browser

FluffyChat

A friendlier Matrix app on the same network, easier for less technical friends.

Element alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Element?

FluffyChat ranks first right now. A friendlier Matrix app on the same network, easier for less technical friends. Signal and Wire follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Element?

Yes. FluffyChat (open source), Signal (free), Wire (free plan + paid) and Delta Chat (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Element?

Yes: FluffyChat, Signal, Wire and Delta Chat, plus 1 more in the list above. Wire, Delta Chat and SimpleX Chat can also be self-hosted.

Which Element alternatives work on Linux?

FluffyChat, Signal, Wire, Delta Chat and SimpleX Chat run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Element?

The complaints we hear most: more complex than mainstream messengers; key backup and device verification confuse newcomers; self-hosting a homeserver takes real admin work.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Element, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.