# Element Classic vs IceWarp IceChat

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Element Classic at 578 against IceWarp IceChat's 3. Element Classic also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months) and rating (3.3 vs 3.0). IceWarp IceChat's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Element Classic holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Element Classic has 578 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of Element Classic's written reviews are positive against 50% of IceWarp IceChat's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Element Classic ships an update monthly, IceWarp IceChat every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Element Classic | IceWarp IceChat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.3 (578 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-classic/id1083446067/reviews)** | [3.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icewarp-icechat/id1104423422/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **578** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 43.7% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 172 MB | 59 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) | [IceWarp Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/918986262) |

## What reviewers say

### Element Classic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-classic/id1083446067)

This app is a legacy version of a communication platform, offering secure messaging and collaboration. It will receive security updates until the end of 2025 but no new features.

**Highlights:** Secure messaging, Collaboration, Legacy version, Security updates

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💡 Innovative features
- 🌐 Decentralized and open-source

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 📚 Steep learning curve
- 🤔 Confusing user experience
- 🚫 Lack of key features

**Reported bugs**

- Constant crashes and freezes
- Issues with message decryption and verification
- Unreliable notifications and sync issues
- Inability to leave or delete empty rooms
- Problems with image and video sharing

**Requested features**

- Ability to pause notifications
- Option to set messages to disappear after a certain time
- Improved search functionality
- Better integration with other apps and services
- Customizable font size and notification sounds


### IceWarp IceChat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icewarp-icechat/id1104423422)

A professional messenger for business collaboration, enabling colleagues to stay connected on the go. Features include real-time presence, private messaging, media and location sharing, and enhanced security with TouchID integration. Seamlessly syncs chat history with the web client for continuity across devices.

**Highlights:** Real-time colleague presence, Private messaging and group chats, Media and location sharing, TouchID security and chat locking, Split-screen multitasking view, Cross-device chat history sync, Giphy integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Element Classic free?

Element Classic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is IceWarp IceChat free?

IceWarp IceChat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Element Classic or IceWarp IceChat?

Element Classic is rated higher. Element Classic averages 3.3 out of 5 from 578 ratings, while IceWarp IceChat averages 3.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Element Classic or IceWarp IceChat have ads?

Neither Element Classic nor IceWarp IceChat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Element Classic or IceWarp IceChat?

Element Classic ships an update monthly, and IceWarp IceChat every 5 months. Most recently, Element Classic was updated on September 24, 2026 and IceWarp IceChat on September 11, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*