People searching to download Element messenger are usually looking for a chat app that isn't tied to a single company's servers, often after hearing about the open Matrix protocol it's built on. Element, maintained by New Vector Ltd, supports end-to-end encrypted messaging and works across desktop and mobile, with the option to connect to public Matrix servers or self-host your own. Because it's open source, technically inclined users and organizations that care about data control gravitate toward it. This page links to the official Element builds for every supported platform.
Matrix Accounts vs Self-Hosting Your Own Server
Element is a client for the Matrix protocol, so most new users simply create an account on the public matrix.org homeserver during first launch rather than running their own server.
Organizations wanting full data control can self-host a Matrix homeserver and point the Element app at it instead, which is common in privacy-focused or enterprise deployments.
Who ends up using Element
Element attracts privacy-conscious users and organizations who specifically want a messenger not tied to one company's servers.
- Privacy-focused users wanting end-to-end encrypted chat outside big tech platforms
- Open-source communities running their own self-hosted Matrix homeserver
- Organizations needing federated messaging across independently run servers
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about Element before you request the link: it covers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, so pick the right build for the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, Element is open source, so the installer is free with no trial timer, feature lock, or upsell screen to click past. It's developed and maintained by Element (New Vector Ltd).
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- macOSa recent macOS release — check the download page for the current minimum version, since Apple Silicon vs Intel builds sometimes differ
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
- Androida recent Android build installed from the Play Store or the developer's own APK
- iOSa recent iOS release installed from the App Store
It's a lightweight tool, so there's no serious CPU/RAM/storage requirement beyond what its OS already needs to run comfortably.
Quick steps
- Download the Element build for your OS from this page
- Create a Matrix account or sign in with an existing one
- Start a chat by searching a username or joining a room
Element: the honest trade-offs
- End-to-end encryption is built in rather than an optional add-on
- Works with public matrix.org accounts or a fully self-hosted server
- Interoperates with any other Matrix-compatible client through the open protocol
- Onboarding and encryption key verification confuse users new to Matrix
- Feels heavier and slower to sync than mainstream closed messaging apps
We link to Element's official distribution channels, so the app you install is the same unmodified build the project publishes.
Other Communication downloads people search for
Browse the full Communication category →
Keeping Element up to date
Since Element is open source, most Linux distributions keep it current through their own package manager. On Windows/macOS, re-running the installer from the official site (or an updater built into the app, if it has one) gets you the latest release. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main Element page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know what Matrix is to use Element?
No, Element handles the Matrix protocol behind the scenes; you just sign up and chat like with any other messaging app.
Can Element message people who use a different Matrix client?
Yes, since Matrix is an open protocol, Element interoperates with other Matrix-compatible clients and federated servers.
