Choosing between Chanty and Element is a common decision for team communication buyers in 2026. Both Chanty and Element are established players, founded in 2017 and 2017 respectively. Chanty serves 50K+ users while Element has 1M+ users globally. Chanty differentiates with messaging and task management, while Element leads with end-to-end encryption and federation. In this head-to-head comparison, Chanty earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 86/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.
AI Verdict
After comparing Chanty and Element across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Chanty takes the lead with a score of 86/100 versus Element's 84/100. Chanty's key advantages include "very affordable pricing" and "simple and quick to adopt". That said, Element has its own strengths — particularly "decentralized and open-source" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.
Both Chanty and Element offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. Chanty's paid plans start at $3/user/mo while Element begins at $5/user/mo (cloud). Evaluate which paid features — Video calls, Voice messages (Chanty) vs Self-hosting, Bridges to other platforms (Element) — justify upgrading for your team.
Bottom line: Choose Chanty if you need small teams wanting affordable, simple team chat. Go with Element if your priority is privacy-focused organizations wanting decentralized, federated messaging. Both are strong team communication tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.
CHOOSE CHANTY IF:
Small teams wanting affordable, simple team chat.
CHOOSE ELEMENT IF:
Privacy-focused organizations wanting decentralized, federated messaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chanty better than Element in 2026?
Chanty scores 86/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Element's 84/100. Chanty stands out for "very affordable pricing" and is best for Small teams wanting affordable, simple team chat. Element is known for "decentralized and open-source" and suits Privacy-focused organizations wanting decentralized, federated messaging. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between Chanty and Element?
Both offer free plans. Chanty starts at $3/user/mo and Element at $5/user/mo (cloud). When comparing value, consider that Chanty (founded 2017, 50K+ users) includes features like Messaging, Task management, Video calls. Element (founded 2017, 1M+ users) offers End-to-end encryption, Federation, Self-hosting. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between Chanty and Element?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Chanty excels at Messaging, Task management, Video calls, while Element focuses on End-to-end encryption, Federation, Self-hosting. Chanty's main advantage is "very affordable pricing", though some users note "limited integrations". Element's strength is "decentralized and open-source", but "ux not as polished as slack" can be a drawback. Both serve the Team Communication market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from Chanty to Element?
Switching between Chanty and Element is possible since both operate in the Team Communication space. Before migrating, export your data from Chanty and check Element's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Messaging, Task management, Video calls (Chanty) vs End-to-end encryption, Federation, Self-hosting (Element). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: Chanty or Element?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. Chanty is ideal for Small teams wanting affordable, simple team chat, while Element fits Privacy-focused organizations wanting decentralized, federated messaging. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.