# Element Classic vs Bigant5

The clearest difference is update cadence: Element Classic at monthly against Bigant5's every 3 months. 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 ships an update monthly, Bigant5 every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Element Classic | Bigant5 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.3 (589 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-classic/id1083446067/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **589** | — |
| Positive reviews | 43.6% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 180 MB | 82 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) | [辉 欧阳](https://appshunter.io/developer/6790439684) |

## 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


### Bigant5

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bigant5/id1148556196)

A secure, on-premise instant messaging system designed for businesses. It ensures all communication is private and traceable, with contact lists exclusively for colleagues. This tool helps boost office productivity for companies of any size.

**Highlights:** On-premise server administration, Secure and traceable conversations, Colleague-only contact lists, LDAP/AD compatibility, Boosts office productivity

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Element Classic free?

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

### Is Bigant5 free?

Bigant5 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Element Classic or Bigant5 have ads?

Neither Element Classic nor Bigant5 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Element Classic or Bigant5?

Element Classic ships an update monthly, and Bigant5 every 3 months. Most recently, Element Classic was updated on October 17, 2026 and Bigant5 on October 4, 2026.

---

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