# Element Classic vs Microsoft Teams

The clearest difference is rating: Microsoft Teams at 4.8 against Element Classic's 3.3. Microsoft Teams also leads on ratings volume (3.4M vs 578) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). Element Classic's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (44% vs 24%). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Microsoft Teams sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Element Classic asks for nothing beyond the download.

Microsoft Teams holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Teams has 3.4M ratings behind it against 578, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of Element Classic's written reviews are positive against 24% of Microsoft Teams's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Element Classic ships an update monthly, Microsoft Teams weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Element Classic | Microsoft Teams |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (578 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-classic/id1083446067/reviews) | **[4.8 (3.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-teams/id1113153706/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 578 | **3.4M** |
| Positive reviews | **43.7% of reviews** | 24.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#1** |
| Size | 172 MB | 522 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) |

## 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


### Microsoft Teams

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-teams/id1113153706)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Business, #23 Top Free, #188 Top Grossing · Business (US App Store)

This app brings people together for community activities or work projects. It offers integrated chat, events, meetings, storage, and task management. Connect, collaborate, and get things done securely in one place.

**Highlights:** Community and team organization, 1-on-1 and group chat, Secure audio and video calls, Document collaboration, Cloud file storage, Task management, Calendar integration

**Features:** Siri integration

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft 365 Personal Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Family (Monthly) | $12.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Personal Monthly | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent for video calls and screen sharing
- 👍 Seamless integration with Office 365
- 🚀 Smooth switching between devices
- 👍 Helpful for remote work and collaboration
- 👍 Good file sharing and organization features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and glitchy at times
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly on mobile devices
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find features
- 👎 Lack of customization options
- 🔒 Concerns over privacy and data usage

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent call disconnections and audio issues
- Inconsistent notification behavior across devices
- Profile picture changes not syncing properly
- Crashes when trying to join meetings or access certain features
- Difficulty sharing screens and files during calls

**Requested features**

- Ability to delete chat messages
- More notification control options
- Improved multi-tasking and split-screen support on mobile
- Better integration with other communication apps
- Easier way to view and manage all assignments/tasks


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Element Classic free?

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

### Is Microsoft Teams free?

Microsoft Teams is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Element Classic or Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams is rated higher. Element Classic averages 3.3 out of 5 from 578 ratings, while Microsoft Teams averages 4.8 from 3.4M ratings.

### Do Element Classic or Microsoft Teams have ads?

Neither Element Classic nor Microsoft Teams shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Element Classic or Microsoft Teams?

Element Classic ships an update monthly, and Microsoft Teams weekly. Most recently, Element Classic was updated on September 24, 2026 and Microsoft Teams on September 24, 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.*