# Element Classic vs ClickBale

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: ClickBale at 13.0 against Element Classic's 15.1. 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.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Element Classic | ClickBale |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.3 (578 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-classic/id1083446067/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **578** | — |
| Positive reviews | 43.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 172 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) | [cieTrade Systems, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/530137165) |

## 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


### ClickBale

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clickbale/id1445561281)

**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 ClickBale free?

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

### Do Element Classic or ClickBale have ads?

Neither Element Classic nor ClickBale shows ads.

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

Element Classic ships an update monthly, and ClickBale monthly. Most recently, Element Classic was updated on September 24, 2026 and ClickBale on September 15, 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.*