Element vs ONLYOFFICE
Both Element and ONLYOFFICE are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the team collaboration space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Element
EU- Headquarters
- London, GB
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
ONLYOFFICE
EU- Headquarters
- Riga, LV
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- Data residency differs: Element hosts data in GB, Germany, while ONLYOFFICE hosts in Latvia, EU. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- ONLYOFFICE was founded in 2009, giving it a 8-year head start over Element (founded 2017). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Element offers End-to-end encryption and Matrix protocol, while ONLYOFFICE provides Document editor and Spreadsheet editor. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Element | ONLYOFFICE |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Element | ONLYOFFICE |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | London, GB | Riga, LV |
| Data Centers | GB, DE | LV, EU |
| End-to-end encryption | ||
| Matrix protocol | ||
| Federation | ||
| Bridges to other platforms | ||
| Voice/video calls | ||
| Threads | ||
| Spaces | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| Widgets | ||
| Document editor | ||
| Spreadsheet editor | ||
| Presentation editor | ||
| Form creator | ||
| PDF editor | ||
| Real-time collaboration | ||
| Nextcloud integration | ||
| E2E encryption |
Pricing Comparison
Element
Freefreemium
ONLYOFFICE
Freefreemium
Compliance Comparison
Element
GDPRDPA
ONLYOFFICE
GDPRDPA
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Element vs ONLYOFFICE — FAQ
What is the main difference between Element and ONLYOFFICE?
Both Element and ONLYOFFICE are European team collaboration solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Element is headquartered in GB while ONLYOFFICE is based in Latvia. Element is headquartered in London, GB, while ONLYOFFICE is based in Riga, Latvia. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Element or ONLYOFFICE?
Both Element and ONLYOFFICE offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Both use freemium pricing, so compare the tiers that match your team size and feature needs.
Are both Element and ONLYOFFICE GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Element and ONLYOFFICE are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.