Slack vs Element: Team Chat Comparison

Compare Slack and Element for team communication. Slack offers polished UX and integrations at $7.25/user/month, while Element provides open-source, self-hostable chat with end-to-end encryption for free.

Updated 2026-10 · 2026

Slack

Popular team chat with extensive integrations

7.25user/month

Strengths

+Massive app ecosystem with 2,600+ integrations
+Polished, intuitive interface with excellent mobile apps
+Powerful search across messages and files

Weaknesses

-Expensive at scale ($7.25-$12.50/user/month)
-Message history limited on free plan (90 days)
-No end-to-end encryption for messages

Best for

Teams that need extensive third-party integrations and prioritize ease of use over cost

Element

Open-source, secure chat built on Matrix protocol

0free (self-hosted)

Strengths

+Completely free and open-source
+End-to-end encryption by default
+Self-hostable with full data control

Weaknesses

-Steeper learning curve for setup and administration
-Fewer integrations compared to Slack
-Interface less polished than commercial alternatives

Best for

Privacy-conscious teams, open-source communities, and organizations wanting full data control

Feature Comparison

Feature	Slack	Element
Pricing	$7.25/user/month (Pro), $12.50/user/month (Business+)	Free (self-hosted), $5/user/month (Element One hosted)
Message History	90 days (free), unlimited (paid)	Unlimited on all plans
End-to-End Encryption	No (only encryption in transit)	Yes, enabled by default
Self-Hosting	Not available	Full self-hosting support
Integrations	2,600+ apps and bots	Limited, growing Matrix ecosystem
Video Calls	Huddles (audio/video), 1:1 or group	Jitsi integration, voice/video calls
File Sharing	Yes, with storage limits by plan	Yes, unlimited with self-hosting
Mobile Apps	Excellent iOS and Android apps	Good iOS and Android apps
Search	Powerful search with filters	Basic search functionality
Federation	Not supported	Native Matrix federation support
Open Source	No (proprietary)	Yes (Apache 2.0 license)
Compliance	SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA (Enterprise Grid)	Full data control with self-hosting

The Verdict

Slack wins for teams prioritizing ease of use, integrations, and polish, especially if budget allows. Element is the clear choice for privacy-focused teams, open-source communities, or organizations requiring self-hosted infrastructure with end-to-end encryption. For most small teams on a budget, Element's free tier offers more value than Slack's limited free plan.

How to switch from Slack to Element

Full Slack export guide →

1Export your Slack workspace data via Settings & Administration > Workspace Settings > Import/Export Data, which produces a ZIP file of JSON message logs (private channel/DM export requires admin approval on paid plans and a separate request).
2Set up a Matrix homeserver (Synapse or Dendrite) on your own infrastructure, or sign up for a hosted option like Element Server Suite if you don't want to manage servers yourself.
3Install the Element client on desktop and mobile for your team, and create rooms/spaces that mirror your existing Slack channel structure.
4Use a Matrix bridge or custom script to import historical Slack messages into Element rooms, since there's no native one-click Slack-to-Matrix importer.
5Recreate critical integrations one by one (GitHub, CI/CD alerts, webhooks) using available Matrix bridges or custom bot scripts, testing each before relying on it.
6Run Slack and Element in parallel for 1-2 weeks, announce a cutover date, archive the Slack workspace, and make Element rooms the default for all team communication.

Slack vs Element: common questions

How do I export my Slack data before switching to Element?+

Go to your Slack workspace settings and use the built-in export tool under Settings & Administration > Workspace Settings > Import/Export Data, which generates a ZIP file of JSON files containing public channel messages. On paid plans you can also export private channels and DMs, but this requires a Slack admin to approve the request. Files and attachments are not included in the standard export and must be downloaded separately via the Slack API.

What do I lose by moving from Slack to Element?+

You lose most of Slack's 2,600+ app integrations, since Matrix's integration ecosystem (bots, bridges) is much smaller and often requires manual setup. You also lose Slack's polished search, workflow builder, and Enterprise Grid compliance certifications unless you build equivalent tooling yourself on your self-hosted Matrix server.

Is Element's free tier enough for a small team?+

Yes, if you're comfortable self-hosting a Synapse or Dendrite homeserver, Element's free, open-source client gives you unlimited history, encryption, and no per-user fees. If you don't want to manage infrastructure, the hosted Element One/Element Server Suite option costs money, so weigh the setup time against the hosting fee before deciding.

Can I replace my Slack integrations and bots in Element?+

Many common integrations (GitHub, Jira, webhooks) have Matrix bridges or bots, but you'll likely need to configure them manually rather than install with one click like in Slack. For niche SaaS tools without a Matrix bridge, you may need to build a custom webhook integration or accept losing that automation.

How does the cost compare over time, Slack vs Element?+

Slack's Pro plan costs $7.25/user/month, which adds up to roughly $870/year for a 10-person team, and $12.50/user/month on Business+. Self-hosted Element is free aside from server hosting costs (often $5-20/month total for a small team), making it dramatically cheaper long-term if you can handle the admin overhead.