Zulip
Open-source team chat where every conversation has a topic, so threads stay readable.
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.5Visit
Web App
Element
Open-source, Matrix-based messaging you can self-host for free.
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Element?
Element is a messaging and collaboration app built on Matrix, an open standard for decentralised communication, so it can talk to other Matrix-based systems. Its Community edition is free and open source under the AGPL for non-professional deployments and evaluations, and paid Enterprise and Sovereign editions add support and features for organisations. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and the web.
Pros
- Built on the open Matrix standard, not a closed platform
- Free, open-source Community edition you can host yourself
- Apps for every desktop and mobile platform
Cons
- Self-hosting needs technical setup
- Free Community edition is meant for non-professional use
Who should use Element
Privacy-minded teams and communities that want control over their chat.
Who may not need it
Teams that want a fully managed chat app with zero setup.
Element alternatives
Similar resources to Element, picked from the directory.
Mattermost
Self-hosted, open-source team chat with a free edition for small teams.
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.4Visit
Rocket.Chat
Open-source team chat you host yourself, free for up to 50 users.
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.2Visit
Discord
Free voice, video and text chat for communities, friends and small teams.
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.5Visit
Cap
The open-source alternative to Loom: record your screen and share a link.
Desktop AppFree planmacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
Pumble
Team chat with a free plan for unlimited users and unlimited message history.
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.4Visit
Free alternatives to Element
Free resources that cover similar ground.
Jitsi Meet
Free, open-source video meetings with no account needed.
Web AppFreeWeb, Android
4.3Visit
OpenWA
A free, open source, self-hosted WhatsApp API gateway.
Web AppFreeWeb, Linux
4.5Visit
Microsoft Teams (free)
Microsoft's free chat and video meetings for personal use.
Web AppFreeWeb, Windows
4.0Visit
listmonk
Free, open-source, self-hosted newsletter and mailing list manager in a single binary.
Web AppFreeCross-Platform, Linux
4.6Visit
DeskRPG
A self-hosted 3D virtual office where AI employees sit at desks and do the work.
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.4Visit
Nextcloud
Open-source, self-hosted file sync and sharing: your own Dropbox.
Web AppFreeWeb, Windows
4.4Visit
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