Choose Element if you need
- ISO 27001. We haven't found it on Zulip's website.
At a glance
- Both have a free plan.
- Zulip's lowest paid plan is Standard at $6.67 per user per month, billed annually, or $8 billed monthly, as of October 20, 2026.
- Both are available on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
- Only Zulip lists API.
- Both work with GitHub, GitLab and Jira.
- Both list SSO.
- Only Element lists ISO 27001.
- Only Zulip lists GDPR and HIPAA.
- Zulip has a public API. We haven't confirmed one for Element.
- Both can be self-hosted.
From each tool's own website, checked on the dates below, and from published reviews.
Which to choose
From the facts checked for both tools, not from opinion. A fact we haven't confirmed for one of them is never counted.
Choose Zulip if you need
- API. We haven't found it on Element's website.
- Integration with Zoom, Jitsi Meet or Sentry. We haven't found them on Element's website.
- GDPR or HIPAA. We haven't found them on Element's website.
Element
Nobody has reviewed Element yet. Its rating shows once it has 3 reviews.
Review Element
Zulip
Nobody has reviewed Zulip yet. Its rating shows once it has 3 reviews.
Review ZulipThe facts
- What it does
- ElementSecure communications built on the decentralised Matrix open standard
- ZulipOrganized chat for distributed teams
- Free plan
- ElementYes
- ZulipYes
- Pricing
- ElementPer seat, monthly
- ZulipPer user, monthly
- Paid plans from
- ElementNot confirmed
What they share
From the platforms and integrations each website lists.
Platforms
Both
- Web
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
Only ElementNothing else listed
Only Zulip
- API
Integrations
Both
- GitHub
- GitLab
People who switched
Reviewers who say they used one of these before the other.
No reviewer has said they moved between Element and Zulip yet.
Used either of them?
Your review makes this comparison better for the next person. Review Element or review Zulip.