# Element Classic vs Mattermost

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Element Classic | Mattermost |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (578 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-classic/id1083446067/reviews) | **[4.8 (5.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mattermost/id1257222717/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 578 | **5.6K** |
| Positive reviews | **43.7% of reviews** | 37.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 172 MB | 93 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) | [Mattermost, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/654282837) |

## 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


### Mattermost

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mattermost/id1257222717)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 🔒 Secure self-hosted solution
- 👍 Great Slack alternative
- 💡 Customizable and extensible
- 🧲 Integrates well with other tools

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🔑 Frustrating login/authentication issues
- 🔔 Inconsistent or missing notifications
- 🖼️ Trouble with image/file uploads
- 🕰️ Slow performance and lag

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on startup
- Unread message indicators not working
- Keyboard issues on iPad/desktop
- Compatibility problems with iOS 17+
- Randomly logs users out

**Requested features**

- Add voice messaging capability
- Improve multi-server support
- Integrate end-to-end encryption
- Introduce iPad-optimized layout
- Provide more customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Element Classic free?

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

### Is Mattermost free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Element Classic or Mattermost?

Mattermost is rated higher. Element Classic averages 3.3 out of 5 from 578 ratings, while Mattermost averages 4.8 from 5.6K ratings.

### Do Element Classic or Mattermost have ads?

Neither Element Classic nor Mattermost shows ads.

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

Element Classic ships an update monthly, and Mattermost every 8 days. Most recently, Element Classic was updated on September 24, 2026 and Mattermost on September 22, 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.*