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Element
Secure decentralized communication
CommunicationFreeOpen SourceReplaces Slack (paid plans)
Quick Take: Element
4.6
Element is the gold standard for secure, decentralized communication. While it may lack the initial polish and 'fun' factor of Discord or the simplicity of WhatsApp, it offers something far more valuable: ownership. For Mac users who prioritize privacy, security, and the ability to unify their fragmented chat life into one application, Element is unrivaled. It is a professional-grade tool that respects the user's intelligence and right to privacy.
Best For
- •Privacy Advocates
- •Remote Development Teams
- •Open Source Communities
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask elementWhat is Element?
Element is a secure, open-source collaboration and messaging application that serves as the flagship client for the Matrix protocol. Originally launched as Vector in 2016 and later rebranded as Riot.im before becoming Element in July 2020, the application has evolved into a powerful tool for decentralized communication. Unlike traditional messaging platforms that store user data in centralized silos, Element operates on a federated network, allowing users to host their own servers while still communicating with users on other servers—much like email. For Mac users, Element provides a robust, Electron-based desktop application that seamlessly integrates with the macOS environment, offering native notifications, system tray support, and Apple Silicon (M-series) optimization. Its core purpose is to provide data sovereignty and end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default, ensuring that only the participants in a conversation can read messages. This makes it a critical tool for privacy-conscious individuals, developers, and organizations requiring strict data control. Element supports a vast ecosystem of bridges, allowing users to connect with networks like Slack, Discord, Telegram, and IRC directly from the Element interface, effectively functioning as a universal chat aggregator. With features like cross-signing for device verification and 'Spaces' for grouping rooms, Element represents the cutting edge of the decentralized web (Web3) communication stack.
Deep Dive: Element Architecture & Ecosystem
To truly appreciate Element, one must understand the technological philosophy that underpins it. It is not just an app; it is a viewer for a global, decentralized database of conversation history.
History & Background
The project began as 'Vector' in 2016, created by the team that defined the Matrix protocol standard. It was rebranded to 'Riot.im' shortly after to avoid trademark disputes, a name that stuck for several years. In July 2020, to unify the branding between the company (New Vector), the product (Riot), and the hosting service (Modular), everything was consolidated under the brand 'Element'. This evolution reflects its journey from a rough tech demo to a polished enterprise product.
How It Works
Element is a 'thick client' built on the `matrix-js-sdk` and React, wrapped in Electron for the desktop. It communicates with a 'Homeserver' (usually Synapse or Dendrite) via RESTful APIs. The state of a room is replicated across all participating servers in that room. This 'eventual consistency' model is complex but robust, ensuring that even if one server goes offline, the room survives on the others. Encryption is handled by the `libolm` library, implementing the Double Ratchet algorithm.
Ecosystem & Integrations
Element sits at the center of a rich ecosystem. Beyond the main app, there are 'forks' like SchildiChat that offer different UI tweaks. The bot ecosystem is vast, with bots like Maubot enabling complex automation. The bridge ecosystem is unique to Matrix, utilizing 'Application Services' to masquerade as users on other networks, allowing for true bi-directional mirroring of chat traffic.
Future Development
The future of Element is focused on 'Matrix 2.0', which promises instant sync speeds (via a feature called 'Sliding Sync') and native OIDC (OpenID Connect) authentication. Element X, the next-generation mobile app written in Rust, is paving the way for a faster, lighter future that will eventually influence the desktop architecture.
Key Features
End-to-End Encryption (E2EE)
Element employs the Olm and Megolm cryptographic ratchets to provide state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption. Unlike many competitors where encryption is optional or limited to 'secret chats,' Element enables E2EE by default for private conversations and private rooms. This ensures that no service provider, including the server admin, can access the content of your messages, files, or voice/video calls. The encryption keys are stored solely on the user's devices, and Element includes a robust key backup system (Secure Backup) to prevent data loss if a device is lost. This feature is fundamental for users who require absolute confidentiality in their communications.
Matrix Protocol Federation
At its heart, Element is built on Matrix, an open standard for real-time communication. This federation capability means that you are not locked into a single provider's walled garden. A user on a generic 'matrix.org' server can communicate seamlessly with a user on a private corporate server or a government-hosted instance. This decentralized architecture prevents a single point of failure and censorship, giving users the freedom to choose who hosts their data without losing the ability to talk to the rest of the network. It transforms communication from a service you rent to a utility you own.
Spaces and Room Hierarchy
To manage the complexity of hundreds of chat rooms, Element introduced 'Spaces.' This feature allows users to group related rooms and people into a hierarchical structure, similar to a Discord server or a Slack workspace, but with greater flexibility. Spaces can be nested, allowing for complex organizational structures (e.g., a 'Company' space containing 'Engineering' and 'Marketing' subspaces). This feature is essential for community management and large organizations, providing a way to curate the sidebar and filter notifications based on the context of work or community interaction.
Universal Bridging
One of Element's most powerful features is its ability to bridge to other networks. Through the Matrix protocol, Element can connect to proprietary services like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal. This allows a Mac user to stay within the Element interface while chatting with colleagues or friends who are scattered across different apps. While setup complexity varies (some require hosting your own bridges), this feature effectively turns Element into a 'grand central station' for all your digital communications, reducing app fatigue and context switching.
Cross-Signing Verification
Security in Element is reinforced through cross-signing, a mechanism that simplifies identity verification. Instead of verifying every new device of your contacts manually, you verify the user's master identity once. Any device that the user subsequently adds and verifies with their own master key is automatically trusted by you. This drastically improves the user experience for E2EE apps, which historically suffered from 'key management fatigue.' It provides a visual shield icon in chats—green for verified and trusted, red for untrusted—giving users immediate feedback on the security status of their conversation.
Voice and Video Conferencing
Element includes built-in voice and video calling capabilities. For one-on-one calls, it establishes a direct peer-to-peer connection encrypted via WebRTC. For larger group calls, Element integrates seamlessly with Jitsi (and increasingly its own native Matrix VoIP solution, Element Call), offering scalable video conferencing directly within the chat room context. This integration allows teams to jump from text chat to a video meeting instantly without needing to generate external links or open separate applications like Zoom, maintaining the privacy and security guarantees of the main chat.
Widgets and Integrations
Element rooms can host 'Widgets,' which are essentially embedded web applications. Users can embed tools like Etherpad for collaborative document editing, Google Calendars, YouTube videos, or custom dashboards directly into the chat room sidebar or top panel. This turns a chat room into a collaborative workspace. For developers, this is highly extensible, allowing for the creation of custom bots and interactive tools that live within the chat stream, facilitating DevOps workflows (e.g., GitHub/GitLab notifications) and automated alerts.
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, ensuring that 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 utilize '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.
1
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.
2
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.
3
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 version of Element to your Applications folder and can be easily updated later with `brew upgrade`.
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.
S
Slack
Slack is the industry standard for workplace chat. Unlike Element, it is centralized and proprietary. Slack offers a more polished initial UX but lacks E2EE for standard plans and does not offer self-hosting.
D
Discord
Popular for communities, Discord offers excellent voice/video quality. However, it is not private (data is mined), not E2EE, and centralized. Element Spaces allows for similar community structures but with privacy.
S
Signal Desktop
Signal focuses purely on privacy with a simpler feature set. It requires a phone number, whereas Element does not. Signal is great for personal secure chat but lacks the team collaboration features and federation of Element.
Pricing
Freemium / Open Source
Element the app is free and open-source. You can use it free of charge on the public 'matrix.org' server or by hosting your own server. For organizations that want the benefits of Element without the hassle of managing a server, Element Matrix Services (EMS) offers paid hosting plans. These plans (Business, Enterprise) provide managed homeservers, administrative control panels, and SLA support. There is essentially no 'paywall' for features in the app itself; the cost is purely for hosting and specialized enterprise bridges.
Pros
- ✓Full data sovereignty via self-hosting
- ✓End-to-end encryption by default
- ✓Decentralized network (no single point of failure)
- ✓Bridges to almost all other chat networks
- ✓Open source and audit-friendly code
- ✓Cross-platform synchronization
Cons
- ✗Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- ✗Encryption key management can be unforgiving
- ✗Notification management requires fine-tuning
- ✗Initial sync can be slow on large accounts
- ✗Video calls less polished than Zoom
Community & Support
Element boasts a vibrant, global open-source community. Support is primarily driven by the community itself within Matrix rooms. The 'Element Web/Desktop' room (#element-web:matrix.org) is the central hub for users to ask questions, report bugs, and chat with the developers. Formal documentation is available at element.io/help. Because the project is open source, technical users can contribute code, report detailed issues on GitHub (vector-im/element-desktop), or audit the security. There is a strong ethos of mutual assistance, with many rooms dedicated to specific languages and regions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Element
No. Matrix is the protocol (the network standard), like SMTP is for email. Element is the client application (the app you use), like Outlook or Apple Mail. There are many other Matrix clients, but Element is the most popular and feature-complete one maintained by the founders of Matrix.
Our Verdict
4.6/5
Element is the gold standard for secure, decentralized communication. While it may lack the initial polish and 'fun' factor of Discord or the simplicity of WhatsApp, it offers something far more valuable: ownership. For Mac users who prioritize privacy, security, and the ability to unify their fragmented chat life into one application, Element is unrivaled. It is a professional-grade tool that respects the user's intelligence and right to privacy.
Best for:Privacy AdvocatesRemote Development TeamsOpen Source Communities
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management
8+ years in operations management · PMP certified
Related Technologies & Concepts
Matrix ProtocolSynapseElectronVectorOlm/MegolmDecentralization
Matrix Protocol (The underlying communication standard Element uses.), Synapse (The reference homeserver implementation often used with Element.), Electron (The framework used to build the Element macOS desktop app.), Vector (The original name of the company and app behind Element.), Olm/Megolm (The cryptographic ratchets used for Element's encryption.), Decentralization (The core architectural philosophy of the application.)
Related Topics
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Feb 15, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- Element was formerly known as Riot.im and Vector.[cite-1]
- Element uses the Matrix protocol for federated communication.[cite-2]
- End-to-end encryption is enabled by default for private conversations.[cite-3]
- 1Welcome to Element!
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 2Matrix.org FAQ
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 3Element Security
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 4Element GitHub Repository
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 5Element Help Center
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
Research queries: Element Mac app 2026; Element features macOS