Element Classic vs Mattermost
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Element Classic
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.
- Secure messaging
- Collaboration
- Legacy version
- Security updates
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Element Classic is the previous-generation of Element mobile app. Friends, family and communities should use the free and open source Element X app which is faster, easier to use, and more powerful. New users of public sector organisations, enterprises and professional teams users should use the Element Pro app that is built for work and organizations. Element Classic is available at least until the end of 2025 and will receive critical security updates but no further enhancements or new features.
Mattermost
This platform enables secure messaging, file sharing, and workflow automation for critical industries. It offers voice calls, project management, and enterprise mobility management for enhanced collaboration and data control.
- Secure messaging, file, and link sharing
- 1:1 and group voice calls
- Workflow automation with Playbook
- Enterprise Mobility Management support
- Private mobility with ID-only push notifications
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Requires Mattermost Server v11.7.0+. Older servers may not be able to connect or have unexpected behavior. ------- Mattermost is the leading collaborative workflow platform for defense, intelligence, security, and critical infrastructure. The platform runs on-premises and in private clouds, delivering secure messaging, file sharing, workflow automation, audio/screenshare, and project management—all with full data and operational control. - Securely share messages, files, and links across from your preferred mobile devices. - Start 1:1 and group voice calls with a single click without leaving Mattermost. - Keep critical workflows moving forward with Playbook. - Get the message out without having to manage every endpoint with Enterprise Mobility Management (AppConfig) support. - Private mobility with ID-only push notifications to keep sensitive data protected while keeping stakeholders informed. To use this app, you need a URL for a Mattermost server. ------- Deploy your own server: https://docs.mattermost.com/guides/deployment.html Terms of Service: https://mattermost.com/terms-of-service/ Contribute to the project: https://github.com/mattermost/mattermost-mobile
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Mattermost at 4.8 against Element Classic's 3.3. Mattermost also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly) and ratings volume (5.6K vs 578). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Mattermost holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mattermost has 5.6K 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 38% of Mattermost's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Element Classic ships an update monthly, Mattermost every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Element Classic | Mattermost |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (578 ratings) | 4.8 (5.6K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 43.7% of reviews — better | 37.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 578 | 5.6K — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 172 MB | 93 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vector Creations Limited | Mattermost, Inc. |
Customer experience
Element Classic
Mattermost
User reviews
Element Classic
From 578 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💡 Innovative features
- 🌐 Decentralized and open-source
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 📚 Steep learning curve
- 🤔 Confusing user experience
- 🚫 Lack of key features
Mattermost
From 5.6K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 🔒 Secure self-hosted solution
- 👍 Great Slack alternative
- 💡 Customizable and extensible
- 🧲 Integrates well with other tools
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🔑 Frustrating login/authentication issues
- 🔔 Inconsistent or missing notifications
- 🖼️ Trouble with image/file uploads
- 🕰️ Slow performance and lag
Bugs and requests
Element Classic
Reported bugs
5 issues- 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
5 requests- 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
Mattermost
Reported bugs
5 issues- Crashes on startup
- Unread message indicators not working
- Keyboard issues on iPad/desktop
- Compatibility problems with iOS 17+
- Randomly logs users out
Requested features
5 requests- Add voice messaging capability
- Improve multi-server support
- Integrate end-to-end encryption
- Introduce iPad-optimized layout
- Provide more customization options
In-app purchases
Element Classic
No in-app purchases
Mattermost
No in-app purchases
