AGPL-3.0-or-laterfreeRuns locallyWriting & Office

Element: Open-Source Matrix Client

Multi-licensed Matrix client (AGPL-3.0 or GPL-3.0 or Element commercial).

Official Element Open Graph artwork used to identify the Matrix client — Official project image. Source · License: Element product image.

License: AGPL-3.0-or-later
Stars: 13,611 (2026-10-25)
Platforms: Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
First seen: 2015-07-22

TL;DR. Element is Multi-licensed Matrix client (AGPL-3.0 or GPL-3.0 or Element commercial). License: AGPL-3.0-or-later (verified). Platforms: Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. Price: free. Runs locally: yes. It is an alternative to Discord.

Name	Element
Language	TypeScript
License	AGPL-3.0-or-later
Pricing	free
Platforms	Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Runs locally	Yes
Stats	13,611 stars · 2,802 forks (as of 2026-10-25)
First seen	2015-07-22
Repository	https://github.com/element-hq/element-web

Element is a Matrix web and desktop client (formerly Vector / Riot). Official hosts we opened on 2026-10-25: element-hq/element-web (13,611 stars, 2,802 forks, created 2015-07-22T05:32:15Z, last push 2026-10-23T20:27:24Z, default branch develop), LICENSE-AGPL-3.0, LICENSE-GPL-3.0, LICENSE-COMMERCIAL, release v1.12.32 (2026-10-16), and element.io. GitHub’s license field is AGPL-3.0.

It is listed on Discord alternatives as the Matrix-client row. That mapping is editorial. Discord is community / voice chat; Element is a Matrix client. We have no sourced quality comparison. Workplace Slack-class chat stays on Slack alternatives (Zulip, Mattermost).

The README (opened 2026-10-25) points hosted testers at app.element.io and develop at develop.element.io. Native mobile apps named: element-x-android and element-x-ios. Those labels are copied.

Key facts (2026-10-25)

Field	Value	Source
Stars / forks	13,611 / 2,802	GitHub API
Created	2015-07-22T05:32:15Z	same
Last push	2026-10-23T20:27:24Z	same
Latest release	v1.12.32, 2026-10-16T13:17:44Z	GitHub Releases
License files	AGPL-3.0 / GPL-3.0 / commercial	README + tree
GitHub license API	AGPL-3.0	GitHub API
Language	TypeScript	GitHub API
Job	Matrix web / desktop client	README

License (read the README)

Copied from the README “Copyright & License” section (2026-10-25): the software is multi-licensed by New Vector Ltd (Element). You may use it (1) under GNU AGPL v3 or later, or (2) under GNU GPL v3 or later, or (3) under a paid Element Commercial License. LICENSE-COMMERCIAL tells holders of a valid commercial license to follow a written agreement and names a sales contact on that file. Not legal advice.

Install (docs, not tested)

README: hosted copy at app.element.io; self-host notes in docs/install.md; desktop builds from element.io/get-started or the apps/desktop tree. forkalt has not deployed v1.12.32.

Discord alternatives
Rocket.Chat (MIT + EE self-host comms)
Slack alternatives — workplace chat, not Matrix
Writing & Office
Chat models (not a messenger): ChatGPT alternatives

FAQ

Is Element open source?

The web/desktop client is public (13,611 stars). README says you may use it under AGPL-3.0-or-later, GPL-3.0-or-later, or a paid Element commercial license. GitHub’s license field is AGPL-3.0. Not a single OSI-simple MIT row. Not legal advice.

What version did you check?

GitHub latest release v1.12.32 (published 2026-10-16T13:17:44Z). API 2026-10-25: 13,611 stars, 2,802 forks, created 2015-07-22, last push 2026-10-23T20:27:24Z, default branch develop. Homepage element.io.

Does it replace Discord?

README: a Matrix web and desktop client (formerly Vector / Riot). That is a federated protocol client, not a Discord clone. We have no sourced bake-off. See Discord alternatives. Workplace chat is on Slack alternatives.

Sources & verification

Last verified 2026-10-25 · Last updated 2026-10-25· Edited by forkalt editors · Editorial policy

License notes are not legal advice. Read the original LICENSE. Trademark & disclaimer.