Wire vs Element
Both Wire and Element are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the messaging & chat 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
Wire
EU- Headquarters
- Zug, CH
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Element
EU- Headquarters
- London, GB
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- Data residency differs: Wire hosts data in Germany, EU, while Element hosts in GB, Germany. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Wire holds ISO 27001 certification, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. Element does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter if your organisation requires them for vendor approval.
- Wire was founded in 2014, giving it a 3-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: Wire offers End-to-end encrypted messaging and Encrypted voice and video calls, while Element provides End-to-end encryption and Matrix protocol. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wire | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Wire | Element |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Zug, CH | London, GB |
| Data Centers | DE, EU | GB, DE |
| End-to-end encrypted messaging | ||
| Encrypted voice and video calls | ||
| Group video conferencing | ||
| File and screen sharing | ||
| Ephemeral messages | ||
| Guest rooms for external users | ||
| Cross-platform apps | ||
| Federation support | ||
| Open source clients and server | ||
| End-to-end encryption | ||
| Matrix protocol | ||
| Federation | ||
| Bridges to other platforms | ||
| Voice/video calls | ||
| Threads | ||
| Spaces | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| Widgets |
Pricing Comparison
Wire
Freefreemium
Element
Freefreemium
Compliance Comparison
Wire
GDPRISO 27001DPA
Element
GDPRDPA
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How to Choose
Your procurement requires ISO 27001 certification
Choose Wire
Wire vs Element — FAQ
What is the main difference between Wire and Element?
Both Wire and Element are European messaging & chat solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Wire is headquartered in Switzerland while Element is based in GB. Wire is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, while Element is based in London, GB. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Wire or Element?
Both Wire and Element 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 Wire and Element GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Wire and Element 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. Additionally, Wire holds ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.