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Comparison

Element vs. Wire

Compare Element and Wire on what matters most: security, usability, and compliance. From default encryption to ease of use and enterprise readiness, find out which platform best fits your team’s secure communication needs.

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Wire vs. Element: Feature comparison

 
Feature Wire Element
Security & Privacy
Protocol Implementation MLS Double Ratchet (Olm/Megolm)
End-to-End Encryption by Default icon check green inverted Poor
Local Encryption Key Storage icon check green inverted Stored in server
Encryption-At-Rest icon check green inverted Poor
Post-Compromise Security icon check green inverted Weak
Perfect Forward Secrecy icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Visible Cross-Signed Device Verification icon check green inverted Poor
Fleet Device Verification icon check green inverted Poor
Full Zero Knowledge icon check green inverted Poor
Zero Trust Architecture icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Core Messaging
1:1 Messaging icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Private Groups icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
E2EE Public and Private Channels by Default icon check green inverted Poor
E2EE History Sharing Coming soon Limited
Screen Sharing icon check green inverted Poor functionality
E2EE File Sharing by Default icon check green inverted Poor
Text Formatting icon check green inverted Poor
Notification Settings icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Account Personalization icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Availability Status icon check green inverted Poor
Read Receipts icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
GIFs icon check green inverted Poor
Chat History Backup & Recovery icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Cross Platform Backups Coming soon icon check green inverted
Send Audio Messages icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Pin Conversations Poor Poor
Mark Message as New Poor Poor
Native Self-Deleting Messages icon check green inverted Limited
Conversation Reactions (Emojis) icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Conversation Search Available in groups Opt-in
Global User Search (Public Cloud) icon check green inverted Partial spam protection
Archive or Organizing Conversations icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Encrypted 1:1 Audio or Video Calling by Default icon check green inverted Poor
Encrypted Large Group Conference Calling by Default icon check green inverted Poor
WebRTC Simulcast icon check green inverted Poor
Guest Access without Sign-Up icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Guest Links with Passwords icon check green inverted Poor
Integration & Ecosystem
Public Cloud icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Private Cloud icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
On-Premises icon check green inverted Assistance required
Customizations, SLAs available icon check green inverted Assistance required
Deploy Third Party Integrated Apps (Bots) icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Federation Scale and Flexibility icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
Secure Federation icon check green inverted Poor
Management
User Roles & Permissions icon check green inverted Basic controls
Single Sign-On (SSO) icon check green inverted icon check green inverted
SSO Supports Complex IT Environments icon check green inverted Complicated
Automated User Management (SCIM) icon check green inverted Partial
Create Guest Rooms icon check green inverted Limited controls
App Lock icon check green inverted Poor
Add/Manage Your Devices icon check green inverted Limited controls
Restrict File Sharing icon check green inverted Limited controls
Restrict Guest Links icon check green inverted Via 3rd party
Additional Feature Configuration icon check green inverted Limited
Team and Workspace Management icon check green inverted Pooricon check green inverted

The competitive data presented on this page was collected as of June 2025, based on information available at matrix.org/docs and element.io. This information may change or be updated without prior notice. Wire does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information provided.

 

Summary

Wire vs. Element, Which One Is Better?

Element is built on the open Matrix protocol and offers flexibility and federation. However, its security depends heavily on how it’s deployed and configured. E2EE isn’t always on by default, and decentralized setups may require significant technical expertise to manage securely.

Wire, on the other hand, is built for teams that need security and simplicity without compromise:

  • End-to-end encryption by default, always on, with no admin override.
  • Various deployment options to fit your needs: public cloud, private cloud, or on-premises.
  • Built on a zero-trust and zero-knowledge framework.

If reliable privacy, strong encryption, and low operational overhead matter to your business, Wire offers protection and simplicity where Element requires trade-offs.

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Open Source. Auditable. Transparent.

Fully Open-Source Security for Verified Collaboration

Wire is one of the few secure collaboration platforms that is fully open source, from protocol to application. This means no black boxes, no hidden logic, no key escrow, and full auditability. With Wire, you get transparent, peer-reviewed cryptography plus the highest industry certifications:

  • ISO 27001
  • ISO 27701
  • FedRAMP
  • FIPS 140-2
  • NIST 800-17

Built to Meet Enterprise Demands.

MLS Protocol

Ensure secure, scalable communication for large teams with the latest IETF standard, perfect for regulated industries and high-trust environments.

E2EE by Default

Messages, files, and calls are fully E2EE by default, no setup required. Only you and your designated recipients can access the messages.

SSO & SCIM

Easily manage identities and access control at scale with seamless Single Sign-On and automated provisioning via SCIM for simplified log-in.

ID Shield

Protect your team with added layers of verification, ensuring only the right people gain access to sensitive environments.

Conferencing

Host secure voice and video calls with up to 200 participants. Every session is encrypted end-to-end and secured using MLS.

Guest Management

Invite external collaborators with custom permissions. Maintain full control while enabling secure, temporary participation in shared spaces.

Secure Federation

Collaborate across organizational boundaries with different security clearances without compromising on security and privacy.

Flexible Deployment

Deploy on your terms, whether in the private cloud, public cloud, or on-premises. Maintain compliance and retain full control over infrastructure.

Element alternative FAQ

Is Element secure and encrypted?

Element can be secure, but only if it’s configured correctly. While it supports E2EE, it’s not always enabled by default, and key management is left to the user or organization. In decentralized setups, security depends heavily on server configuration, which introduces risk if not managed properly. Without expert oversight, Element’s encryption may fall short of enterprise-grade protection.

Is Element HIPAA and GDPR compliant?

Element can support GDPR and HIPAA compliance, but this depends on how it is hosted and configured. Self-hosted servers require organizations to implement their own data protection policies, encryption key management, and compliance controls.

Is Element free to use?

Element is free and open-source. You can use the public Matrix server (matrix.org) or self-host your own. Paid enterprise offerings are also available through Element Enterprise for additional support, hosting, and compliance.

Is Element easy to use for non-technical teams?

Not really. Element offers advanced features through the Matrix protocol, but it often requires manual setup, including encryption configuration, server management, and user verification. This makes it better suited for organizations with dedicated IT resources.

In contrast, Wire is designed for ease of use from day one, with E2EE enabled by default, fully managed deployments, and a clean, intuitive interface. No technical expertise needed, making it ideal for teams that need secure collaboration without the operational burden.

What are the main differences between Element and Wire?

Element is decentralized, open-source, and flexible, but requires more technical management.

Wire is fully managed, offers default E2EE, zero-trust architecture, and compliance-focused deployment without the need for complex setup.

If your organization needs simplicity, guaranteed security, and turnkey compliance, Wire is the safer choice.

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Discover how Wire enables secure, compliant, and seamless collaboration for your team - without compromising usability or control.

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