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: |
  **Element** is the reference client for the [Matrix](https://matrix.org/docs/guides/introduction) protocol, an [open standard](https://matrix.org/docs/spec) 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.

  #### Notes
  Profile pictures, reactions, and nicknames are not encrypted.

  Group voice and video calls are [not](https://github.com/vector-im/element-web/issues/12878) E2EE, and use Jitsi, but this is expected to change with [Native Group VoIP Signalling](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/pull/3401). Group calls have [no authentication](https://github.com/vector-im/element-web/issues/13074) currently, meaning that non room participants can also join the calls. We recommend that you do not use this feature for private meetings.

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

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

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'