# Element Classic vs Trade Map

Element Classic and Trade Map are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Element Classic ships an update monthly, Trade Map every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Element Classic | Trade Map |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 180 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) | [Smart Business SAL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1603044176) |

## 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


### Trade Map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trade-map/id6742099431)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Element Classic free?

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

### Is Trade Map free?

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

### Do Element Classic or Trade Map have ads?

Neither Element Classic nor Trade Map shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Element Classic or Trade Map?

Element Classic ships an update monthly, and Trade Map every 5 weeks. Most recently, Element Classic was updated on October 17, 2026 and Trade Map on September 28, 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.*