# Element Classic vs Rocket.Chat

The clearest difference is rating: Rocket.Chat at 4.4 against Element Classic's 3.3. Rocket.Chat also leads on review sentiment (62% vs 44%) and ratings volume (3.7K vs 578). On price, update cadence, 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.

Rocket.Chat holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rocket.Chat has 3.7K ratings behind it against 578, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Element Classic's written reviews are positive against 62% of Rocket.Chat's.

Element Classic ships an update monthly, Rocket.Chat every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Element Classic | Rocket.Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (578 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-classic/id1083446067/reviews) | **[4.4 (3.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocketchat/id1148741252/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 578 | **3.7K** |
| Positive reviews | 43.7% of reviews | **61.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 172 MB | 78 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) | [Rocket.Chat Technologies Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1148477217) |

## 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


### Rocket.Chat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rocketchat/id1148741252)

A secure communication platform that integrates messaging, voice, video, and AI for organizations requiring high security and compliance. It offers features like E2E encryption and two-factor authentication to protect sensitive communications.

**Highlights:** Unified messaging, voice, and video, End-to-end encryption, Two-factor authentication, Open source software, On-premises or cloud hosting, Guest access, File sharing

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Robust and reliable
- 🔒 Secure self-hosted chat
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🙌 Great for team communication
- 💻 Seamless desktop and mobile experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
- 🔍 Inconsistent search and navigation
- 📢 Unreliable notification system
- 🔒 Tricky privacy management
- 🔄 Frequent login issues

**Reported bugs**

- Messages not loading properly
- Inability to stay logged in
- Broken translation feature
- Compatibility issues with newer devices
- Admin panel not functioning on mobile

**Requested features**

- Improved notification settings
- Enhanced file sharing and management
- Customizable notification sounds
- Streamlined admin panel for mobile
- Integrated video/audio calling


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Element Classic free?

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

### Is Rocket.Chat free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Element Classic or Rocket.Chat?

Rocket.Chat is rated higher. Element Classic averages 3.3 out of 5 from 578 ratings, while Rocket.Chat averages 4.4 from 3.7K ratings.

### Do Element Classic or Rocket.Chat have ads?

Neither Element Classic nor Rocket.Chat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Element Classic or Rocket.Chat?

Element Classic ships an update monthly, and Rocket.Chat every 3 weeks. Most recently, Element Classic was updated on September 24, 2026 and Rocket.Chat on September 23, 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.*