Element
Secure decentralized communication
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask elementQuick Take: Element
In August 2026 Element is still the main Matrix client for Mac teams that need encryption, federation, or self-hosting. The element-desktop archive was a merge into element-web, not a shutdown, but having Desktop, Element X, and Pro side by side can confuse newcomers. Pick the build that matches how you deploy. For everyday private chat Signal is simpler. For sovereign collaboration, Element is the practical choice.
Best For
- •Teams requiring self-hosted or federated messaging
- •Security-conscious organizations leaving closed SaaS chat
- •Communities already on Matrix
What is Element?
Element is a messenger and collaboration client built on the Matrix open standard. It handles end-to-end encrypted chat, voice and video, spaces and rooms for teams, and you can run it against a self-hosted homeserver or a hosted one. Teams that need federation or data residency often pick it over Slack, Teams, or WhatsApp because the protocol is open and the server can be theirs.
On macOS in August 2026 Element is still available as a desktop client. One thing to note: the standalone element-desktop GitHub repository was archived on 25 March 2026 after the Electron wrapper was merged back into element-web under apps/desktop. That was a repo reorganization, not a shutdown. Official download pages still list Mac builds, including nightly DMGs, and Matrix ecosystem pages still describe Element Web/Desktop as stable. Element X, the rewritten mobile client, is also listed for Apple Silicon Macs through the App Store and notes requirements around macOS 15.5+ and Apple M1 or later. Element Pro is the workplace packaging for organizations. Personal messaging stays free, while Server Suite and Pro deployments are commercial.
If you compare it to other tools, Signal is simpler for everyday encrypted chat, Slack and Teams dominate corporate work, Discord leans community, and Cinny or Fractal are other Matrix clients you can try. Element's edge is Matrix interop, self-hosting, and the sovereignty story that regulated teams care about, not having the slickest consumer UI.
App names, OS requirements, and store prices change quickly. Before you decide, check the vendor pages linked in the citations and confirm the Homebrew cask if you install that way.
Element on Mac after the desktop repo merge
Element makes more sense when you see it as a viewer for a decentralized conversation store rather than just another chat app. When a flagship repo gets archived, a lot of SEO pages jump to discontinued. In this case the archive message from March 2026 is clear: desktop now lives inside element-web. What matters is that downloads keep shipping, nightlies still publish, and Matrix ecosystem pages still mark Element Web/Desktop as stable. For Mac users the choice is between classic Desktop as an Electron wrapper around Element Web, Element X where it is available on Apple Silicon, and Element Pro if your employer has standardized on it. Federation and encryption are the durable product, packaging is a detail.
History & Background
The project started as Vector in 2016 from the team that defined Matrix, then became Riot.im to avoid a naming conflict, and later unified as Element in July 2020 when the company, product, and hosting service were all brought under one name.
How It Works
Element uses the matrix-js-sdk and React, wrapped in Electron for desktop. It talks to a homeserver, often Synapse or Dendrite, over REST. Room state replicates across participating servers, which gives an eventual consistency model, if one server is down the room still lives on the others. Encryption is handled by libolm with the Double Ratchet.
Ecosystem & Integrations
Around Element you find forks like SchildiChat with different UI choices, a wide bot ecosystem including Maubot for automation, and bridges that let Matrix rooms mirror traffic to other networks through Application Services.
Future Development
Matrix 2.0 work focuses on faster sync through Sliding Sync and native OIDC authentication. Element X, built in Rust on the Matrix Rust SDK, is now in public release for mobile and is influencing desktop performance, startup time, and battery use. Desktop builds, now at v1.12.17, continue to get updates to the Electron and protocol layers.
Key Features
Matrix protocol foundation
Element speaks Matrix, so rooms can federate across homeservers. You are not stuck on one vendor's closed network if you run your own server or pick a host you trust.
End-to-end encryption
Direct messages and rooms can use end-to-end encryption with cross-signing and secure backup. This is the core of Element's pitch to teams that cannot afford cleartext history.
Voice and video calling
Calls are built in and the Element Call and MatrixRTC work continues to evolve. You do not need a separate Zoom link for every quick check-in, though call polish still differs between client generations.
Spaces and room organization
Spaces group rooms for teams, projects, or communities. Think Slack workspaces, but built on Matrix rooms rather than a single tenant.
Self-hosting and Element Server Suite
Host your own Matrix stack where data residency matters, or buy Element's commercial server offerings with support SLAs when you need someone to call.
Element Pro for workplace
Packaging and admin flows aimed at organizations that want to replace a closed suite with collaboration they control, on desktop and mobile.
Element X on Apple platforms
The next-generation client focuses on speed and feel. On Mac it is listed for Apple Silicon with recent macOS versions, useful when the classic Electron build feels heavy.
Open-source clients
Core clients are open source, with commercial licensing for some enterprise distributions. Audits are possible in a way closed SaaS cannot match.
Who Should Use Element?
1The Privacy Advocate
A privacy-conscious user, perhaps a journalist or activist, uses Element to communicate securely with sources. They set up a private, encrypted room and verify the safety of the connection by comparing security keys (SAS verification) with their contact. They configure messages to self-destruct after a set period using the 'Message Retention' settings. Because Element is open source, they trust that there are no backdoors. They use the Tor network to connect to their home-server. Even their metadata and IP address are obfuscated from prying eyes.
2The Open Source Maintainer
A developer maintaining a popular open-source project uses Element to host the community. They create a public Space for the project, with subspaces for 'General Chat,' 'Support,' and 'Development.' They use the GitHub bridge to pipe issue updates and pull request notifications directly into the 'Development' room. Since the community is global, the federated nature of Matrix allows contributors to join from their own personal servers without creating new accounts specifically for this project, lowering the barrier to entry for new contributors.
3The Distributed Organization
A fully remote company uses Element as their virtual office. They host their own Synapse server (the reference Matrix homeserver implementation) on-premise to ensure full data sovereignty and compliance with GDPR. Employees use the Mac desktop client for their daily work. They use 'Spaces' to separate different departments. During daily stand-ups, they launch a video call within their team room. Sensitive documents are shared via encrypted file transfer, knowing that the files are encrypted before they even leave their Mac.
4The Tech-Savvy Power User
A power user who is tired of checking five different messaging apps installs Element on their Mac. They set up a personal homeserver on a Raspberry Pi or VPS. They configure 'bridges' for WhatsApp, Signal, and Discord. Now, they use Element as a unified inbox. On their Mac, they have a single application open. When a friend messages them on WhatsApp, it appears in Element. They reply from Element, and it is delivered back to the friend's WhatsApp. They use global search in Element to find messages across all these diverse networks instantly.
How to Install Element on macOS
Installing Element on macOS is straightforward. You can choose between the official direct download for the latest stable release or use the Homebrew package manager if you prefer command-line tools.
Download the DMG
Navigate to the official Element website (element.io/get-started) and download the macOS desktop client. Ensure you select the correct version for your processor (Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3 or Intel), although the universal binary often handles this automatically.
Install via Drag-and-Drop
Locate the downloaded .dmg file in your Downloads folder and double-click to mount it. A Finder window will open showing the Element icon and the Applications folder alias. Drag the Element icon into the Applications folder.
Alternative: Install via Homebrew
If you have Homebrew installed, open your Terminal and run the command: brew install --cask element. This will automatically download and install the latest stable version (v1.12.17 in mid-2026) of Element to your Applications folder and can be easily updated later with brew upgrade --cask element.
Pro Tips
- • Enable 'Launch at Login' in preferences for always-on connectivity.
- • Grant Microphone and Camera permissions immediately for calls.
- • Check for updates within the app via 'Element' > 'Check for Updates'.
Configuration Tips
Set Up Secure Backup Immediately
Upon creating your account, Element will prompt you to set up Secure Backup (Key Backup). Do not skip this. This creates a secure copy of your encryption keys on the server, protected by a security phrase or recovery key. If you lose your device or log out without this, you will permanently lose access to your encrypted message history. Save your Recovery Key in a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden immediately.
Optimize Notifications for Spaces
Element's notification system is granular. To avoid burnout, right-click on high-traffic public rooms and select 'Notifications' > 'Mentions Only'. If you use Spaces, you can mute entire Spaces (e.g., a 'Community' space) while keeping your 'Work' space loud. Use 'Keywords' in Settings to get notified whenever specific terms (like your project name) are mentioned in any room.
Verify Your Sessions
For maximum security, ensure you verify your own sessions. When you log in on a new device (e.g., your iPhone), your Mac will prompt you to verify the new login. Follow the cross-signing process (scanning a QR code or comparing emojis). This establishes a chain of trust and ensures that no unauthorized devices have accessed your account.
Alternatives to Element
While Element is the premier Matrix client, the communication landscape is vast. Here is how it compares to other popular options available for macOS.
Signal
Simpler E2EE consumer messenger. Better for friends/family; weaker for federated team workspaces and self-hosted sovereignty.
Slack
Dominant corporate chat UX with unmatched app ecosystem, but closed SaaS, different security/compliance model, and no Matrix federation.
Microsoft Teams
Default in Microsoft 365 shops. Deep Office integration; less appealing when data residency and open protocols are non-negotiable.
Cinny / other Matrix clients
Alternative Matrix frontends for users who want Matrix without Element's branding or Electron shell.
Pricing
Element's consumer/apps messaging clients are free to download and use with public or self-hosted Matrix homeservers. matrix.org and many community servers offer free accounts with fair-use limits. Commercial value sits in Element Server Suite, Element Pro workplace offerings, hosting, and support contracts, priced for organizations rather than a simple consumer Freemium meter. Check element.io/pricing and sales for current enterprise quotes; there is no single global "Element Pro $X/month" consumer seat comparable to Slack's published tiers. Bridging, large deployments, and sovereign hosting drive cost.
Pros
- ✓True open standard (Matrix) with federation and self-hosting options.
- ✓Strong E2EE story suitable for security-sensitive and public-sector deployments.
- ✓Cross-platform clients including Mac desktop and Element X on Apple Silicon.
- ✓Avoids single-vendor lock-in common to Slack/Teams for digital sovereignty goals.
- ✓Active open-source development even after the desktop repo merge into element-web.
Cons
- ✗UX and onboarding remain harder than polished consumer apps like Signal or iMessage.
- ✗Feature parity differs across classic Desktop, Element X, and Pro packaging, confusing for newcomers.
- ✗Self-hosting Matrix well is an ops project, not a one-click preference toggle.
- ✗Electron-based desktop clients can feel heavier than native Mac messengers.
Community & Support
Support mostly happens inside Matrix itself. The Element Web/Desktop room (#element-web:matrix.org) is the main place to ask questions, report bugs, and talk to developers. Docs are at element.io/help. Since the code is open, technical users file issues on GitHub, contribute patches, and audit the implementation. There are rooms for many languages and regions, and the tone is generally helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions about Element
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Expert Tips for Element
Matrix and Element discussions in 2026 focus less on 'will Desktop die' after the repo merge and more on when Element X-class performance lands consistently on every platform.
Enterprise buyers evaluate Element as digital-sovereignty infrastructure (Server Suite + Pro apps), not as a free WhatsApp replacement, pricing conversations are sales-led.
Related Technologies & Concepts
Related Topics
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Aug 9, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- The element-desktop repository was archived on 25 March 2026 after being merged into element-web under apps/desktop.[cite-3]
- Element continues to offer Mac downloads via element.io/download, including nightly macOS builds.[cite-1]
- Element X is distributed on Apple platforms and lists Mac requirements including recent macOS and Apple Silicon.[cite-4]
- 1Element download page
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Desktop/mobile downloads including Mac options and nightly builds."
- 2
- 3element-desktop GitHub (archived)
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Archived Mar 25, 2026; merged into element-web apps/desktop."
- 4Element X on the App Store
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Element X listing; Mac Apple Silicon requirements noted."
- 5Matrix.org Element client page
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Element Web/Desktop described as stable Matrix client."
- 6
Research queries: Element Mac app 2026; Element features macOS