title: Element
type: Recommendation
logo: /assets/img/messengers/element.svg
labels: 'color==info::icon==fas fa-fw fa-wifi::text==Federated::tooltip==Your communications pass through one of a network of hosts that intercommunicate. |
         color==info::icon==fas fa-fw fa-wifi::text==P2P::tooltip==One-on-one voice and video calls are peer-to-peer (option can be disabled). |
         color==info::icon==fas fa-fw fa-phone::text==VoIP::tooltip==Voice or video calls are supported.'
description: |
  <strong>Element</strong> is the reference client for the <a href="https://matrix.org/docs/guides/introduction">Matrix</a> protocol, an <a href="https://matrix.org/docs/spec">open standard</a> for secure decentralized real-time communication.

  Messages and files shared in private rooms (those which require an invite) are by default E2EE as are 1 to 1 voice and video calls.

  <h4>Notes</h4>
  Profile pictures, reactions, and nicknames not encrypted.

  Group voice and video calls are <a href="https://github.com/vector-im/element-web/issues/12878">not</a> E2EE, and use Jitsi, but this is expected to change with <a href="https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/pull/3401">Native Group VoIP Signalling</a>.

  When using <a href="https://github.com/vector-im/element-web">element-web</a>, you must trust the server hosting the Element client. If your <a href="/threat-modeling">threat model</a> requires stronger protection then use a desktop or mobile client instead.

  <h4>Technical information</h4>
  The protocol was independently <a href="https://matrix.org/blog/2016/11/21/matrixs-olm-end-to-end-encryption-security-assessment-released-and-implemented-cross-platform-on-riot-at-last">audited</a> in 2016. The specification for the Matrix protocol can be founded in their <a href="https://spec.matrix.org/latest/">documentation</a>. The <a href="https://matrix.org/docs/projects/other/olm">Olm</a> cryptographic ratchet used by Matrix is an implementation of Signal's <a href="https://signal.org/docs/specifications/doubleratchet/">Double Ratchet algorithm</a>.

website: 'https://element.io'
privacy_policy: 'https://element.io/privacy'
downloads:
  - icon: fab fa-windows
    url: 'https://element.io/get-started'
  - icon: fab fa-apple
    url: 'https://element.io/get-started'
  - icon: fab fa-linux
    url: 'https://element.io/get-started'
  - icon: fab fa-android
    url: 'https://f-droid.org/packages/im.vector.app/'
  - icon: fab fa-google-play
    url: 'https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=im.vector.app'
  - icon: fab fa-app-store-ios
    url: 'https://apps.apple.com/app/vector/id1083446067'
  - icon: fas fa-globe-americas
    url: 'https://app.element.io'
  - icon: fab fa-github
    url: 'https://github.com/vector-im/element-web'