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Team chat · 10 alternatives

Instead of Element, try one of these 10.

Every alternative is lined up against Element on what people actually switch for: price, open source, self-hosting, offline use and platforms. Element sits in the first row, so you can see what you give up.

Show onlySorted by likes · 10 of 10
Alternative
Price
Open source
Self-host
Offline
Platforms
ElementWhat you have now
Decentralised, encrypted chat built on the Matrix protocol.
PriceFree
hosting from $5
Open sourceYes
Self-hostYes
OfflinePartial
Platforms
Web · Win · Mac · Linux · iOS · Android
Carla#1
Modular audio plugin host with flexible routing
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux
Giada#2
Tiny loop and drum machine for live sets
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac · Linux
DDMF Metaplugin#3
Chains and wraps plugins into custom networks
PricePaid
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac
Reaktor#4
Modular synth and effects built from blocks
PriceFreemium
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac
Cantabile#5
Live keyboard rig with racks and setlists
PricePaid
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win
Plogue Bidule#6
Patches modular audio graphs standalone or in a DAW
PricePaid
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac
VSTHost#7
Quick Windows tool for testing VST plugins
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win
New Sonic Arts Freestyle#8
Splits, layers and chains plugins for the stage
PricePaid
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac
Pedalboard 2#9
Lightweight open-source host for live plugin setups
PriceFree
Open sourceYes
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win · Mac
Rack Performer#10
Modular live rig with scenes and tight timing
PricePaid
Open sourceNo
Self-hostNo
OfflineYes
Platforms
Win

How to read this. “Yes” means fully supported by the maker. “Partial” means it works with caveats. Likes reflect community popularity; vendors can’t pay for them or for placement. How we compare.

Element alternatives at a glance

Element is a free team chat app (hosting from $5). We compared 10 alternatives: 4 are open source, 4 are completely free, 0 can be self-hosted and 10 work fully offline. The most popular is Carla, with 42 likes.

Most liked overallCarla

Modular audio plugin host with flexible routing

Free · Open source · Works offline
Best free optionGiada

Tiny loop and drum machine for live sets

Free · Open source · Works offline
Best open-source optionVSTHost

Quick Windows tool for testing VST plugins

Free · Open source · Works offline
Best for offline useDDMF Metaplugin

Chains and wraps plugins into custom networks

Paid · Works offline

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