Comparison

# XenRooms vs Element

Element is the best-known Matrix app, end-to-end encrypted by default; its pricing page lists self-hosted plans priced per seat or per deployment. XenRooms speaks Matrix too – your team can chat with people on Element – but works like Slack: no end-to-end encryption, so search, the AI summary and the administrator work, in our cloud in Germany or on your servers.

[Start for free](https://xenrooms.app/en/start/) [Book a demo](https://essotec.xenaxio.com/book/es/first-call)

|   | Element | XenRooms |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Open standard | Matrix | Matrix |
| Chat with each other | Yes | Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | yes, by default | no – search, AI and admin read the chat |
| Server-side search and AI summary | limited by encryption | Yes |
| On your own servers | Yes | with Xenaxio On-Premise |
| Managed cloud in Germany | not on the pricing page | Yes |
| Free plan | Community edition (AGPL), self-hosted | up to 10 people, 5 GB |
| Published prices | on request | Free 0 €; paid on request |
| Calls in the chat | Yes | channels and direct messages |

As of 31 October 2026, from the providers’ own websites. Features and plans change; please check the details there.

## XenRooms fits better if …

- You want a chat like Slack – search, AI summary, admin control
- You want it run for you in Germany, free for a small team
- Chat should sit next to email and calendar in Xenaxio

## Element fits better if …

- End-to-end encryption is a must
- You run a large Matrix deployment for the public sector

More comparisons: [XenRooms vs Slack](https://xenrooms.com/compare/slack/) · [XenRooms vs Microsoft Teams](https://xenrooms.com/compare/microsoft-teams/) · [XenRooms vs WhatsApp](https://xenrooms.com/compare/whatsapp/) · [XenRooms vs Mattermost](https://xenrooms.com/compare/mattermost/) · [Overview](https://xenrooms.com/alternatives/)

## Your team chat on a server of its own?

Free for up to 10 people, in a minute. For larger teams or your own servers we set up XenRooms for you.

[Start for free](https://xenrooms.app/en/start/) [Book a demo](https://essotec.xenaxio.com/book/es/first-call)

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Source: https://xenrooms.com/compare/element/ (English, updated 2026-10-31)
Other languages: Deutsch: https://xenrooms.com/de/vergleich/element/index.html.md