Choosing between Element and Mattermost is a common decision for team communication buyers in 2026. Both Element and Mattermost are established players, founded in 2017 and 2015 respectively. Element serves 1M+ users while Mattermost has 800K+ users globally. Element differentiates with end-to-end encryption and federation, while Mattermost leads with self-hosted deployment and channels. In this head-to-head comparison, Mattermost 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 Element and Mattermost across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Mattermost takes the lead with a score of 86/100 versus Element's 84/100. Mattermost's key advantages include "full data control" and "strong security features". That said, Element has its own strengths — particularly "decentralized and open-source" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.
Both Element and Mattermost offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. Element's paid plans start at $5/user/mo (cloud) while Mattermost begins at $10/user/mo (cloud). Evaluate which paid features — Self-hosting, Bridges to other platforms (Element) vs DevOps integrations, Compliance tools (Mattermost) — justify upgrading for your team.
Bottom line: Choose Element if you need privacy-focused organizations wanting decentralized, federated messaging. Go with Mattermost if your priority is enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Both are strong team communication tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.
CHOOSE ELEMENT IF:
Privacy-focused organizations wanting decentralized, federated messaging.
CHOOSE MATTERMOST IF:
Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Element better than Mattermost in 2026?
Mattermost scores 86/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Element's 84/100. Element stands out for "decentralized and open-source" and is best for Privacy-focused organizations wanting decentralized, federated messaging. Mattermost is known for "full data control" and suits Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between Element and Mattermost?
Both offer free plans. Element starts at $5/user/mo (cloud) and Mattermost at $10/user/mo (cloud). When comparing value, consider that Element (founded 2017, 1M+ users) includes features like End-to-end encryption, Federation, Self-hosting. Mattermost (founded 2015, 800K+ users) offers Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between Element and Mattermost?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Element excels at End-to-end encryption, Federation, Self-hosting, while Mattermost focuses on Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations. Element's main advantage is "decentralized and open-source", though some users note "ux not as polished as slack". Mattermost's strength is "full data control", but "requires it to self-host" can be a drawback. Both serve the Team Communication market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from Element to Mattermost?
Switching between Element and Mattermost is possible since both operate in the Team Communication space. Before migrating, export your data from Element and check Mattermost's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: End-to-end encryption, Federation, Self-hosting (Element) vs Self-hosted deployment, Channels, DevOps integrations (Mattermost). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: Element or Mattermost?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. Element is ideal for Privacy-focused organizations wanting decentralized, federated messaging, while Mattermost fits Enterprises needing data sovereignty and self-hosting. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.