Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Mattermost Professional · 👥 community
Mattermost Professional vs Element
Matrix rooms, threads, files and search with free hosted accounts; less Slack clone, more protocol. Here is how Element ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Mattermost Professional ($10/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Element
$0.00/mo · AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+
Mattermost Professional vs Element Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Mattermost Professional (Paid) | Element (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $10 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $120 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $120) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $600 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $600) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,200 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,200) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+ |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | desktopmobilewebself-hostedthey host it |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 13k (active jul 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Mattermost Professional to Element
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Element covers rooms, threads, files, and search, but its Matrix-first model and smaller workplace-integration surface are less familiar and less Slack-like than Mattermost.
How to deploy Element
Use a free Matrix account in Element Web/mobile/desktop, or deploy Element Server Suite on your own infrastructure
What it takes to run
The clean hosted path is easy, but self-hosting the current Element Server Suite means operating a Matrix homeserver and its Kubernetes/Helm-based stack.
Where your data lives
Rooms, event history, account data, and media live on the selected Matrix homeserver; encrypted-room keys remain on clients and can be backed up through Matrix's key-backup system.
Why fork Element instead of vibe-coding a Mattermost Professional clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Mattermost Professional, self-host team chat with channels, threads, search, and integrations. The hard boundary is managed operations, mobile push, enterprise security, support, and governance, plus network, moderation, and communication infrastructure.
Mattermost Professional vs Element FAQ
Is Element a good free alternative to Mattermost Professional?+
Yes. Element is a verified open-source (AGPL-3.0-or later OR GPL-3.0+) replacement for Mattermost Professional. Matrix rooms, threads, files and search with free hosted accounts; less Slack clone, more protocol.
What is the catch when switching from Mattermost Professional to Element?+
Element covers rooms, threads, files, and search, but its Matrix-first model and smaller workplace-integration surface are less familiar and less Slack-like than Mattermost.
How much do you save switching from Mattermost Professional to Element?+
Mattermost Professional costs $10/mo ($120/yr) per seat, whereas Element is $0/mo. Switching saves $120/yr for a solo user, $600/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,200/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Element instead of Mattermost Professional?+
Install: Use a free Matrix account in Element Web/mobile/desktop, or deploy Element Server Suite on your own infrastructure. Setup: The clean hosted path is easy, but self-hosting the current Element Server Suite means operating a Matrix homeserver and its Kubernetes/Helm-based stack.
