Element X vs 2alo
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Element X
Communicate securely and privately with instant messaging and video calls. This app offers robust features for individuals and communities, allowing you to own your data and choose where it's hosted. Enjoy real-time communication with synchronized history across all your devices.
- Real-time messaging
- Video calls
- Public and private rooms
- Rich messaging features
- Cross-device synchronization
- Data ownership and server choice
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Freedom to communicate on your own terms For individuals and communities - private communication between family, friends, hobby groups, clubs, etc. Element X gives you fast, secure and private instant messaging and video calls built on Matrix, the open standard for real-time communication. This is a free and open-source app maintained at https://github.com/element-hq/element-x-ios Stay in touch with friends, family and communities with: • Real time messaging & video calls • Public rooms for open group communication • Private rooms for closed group communication • Rich messaging features: emoji reactions, replies, polls, pinned messages and more. • Video calling while browsing messages. • Interoperability with other Matrix-based apps such as FluffyChat, Cinny and many more. Privacy-first Unlike some other messengers from Big Tech companies, we don’t mine your data or monitor your communications. Own your conversations Choose where to host your data - from any public server (the largest free server is matrix.org, but there are plenty of others to choose from) to creating your own personal server and hosting it on your own domain. This ability to choose a server is a large part of what differentiates us from other real time communication apps. However you host, you have ownership; it’s your data. You’re not the product. You’re in control. Communicate in real time, all the time Use Element everywhere. Stay in touch wherever you are with fully synchronised message history across all your devices, including on the web at https://app.element.io Element X is our next-generation app If you’re using the previous-generation Element Classic app, it’s time to try Element X! It’s faster, easier to use, and more powerful than the classic app. It’s better in every way and we’re adding new features all the time.
2alo
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2alo is designed and operated using End-to-End Encryption (E2EE), with the primary goal of protecting user privacy and ensuring maximum data confidentiality. 1. Core Privacy Principles We cannot access the content of your messages, calls, shared files, or communications. All communications between users are protected using end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and intended recipient can decrypt the content. 2alo servers do not store encryption keys and have no technical ability to decrypt user content (zero-knowledge architecture). 2. Information We Do Not Collect 2alo does not collect, store, or process the following data: - Message content, voice calls, video calls, or shared files - Encryption keys for user communications - Personal contact lists stored on your device, unless explicitly permitted by the user - Audio, image, or video data outside encrypted transmission - Advertising data, tracking data, or behavioral analytics 3. Minimal Technical Information To operate the Service reliably, we may process a limited amount of technical metadata, including: - Network connection information (such as IP address at the time of connection) - Basic device information (operating system, app version) - Encrypted routing data required for message delivery This information: - Is not used for advertising - Is not used for user profiling or behavior tracking I- s not linked to message content 4. Log Data 2alo does not use analytics tools or third-party tracking systems. In limited technical circumstances (such as debugging, abuse prevention, or infrastructure protection), system-level logs may be temporarily generated to ensure service reliability and security. These logs: - Do NOT contain encrypted message content - Are processed only for operational and security purposes - Are retained for the shortest period necessary 5. Third-Party Service Providers 2alo may rely on third-party infrastructure providers (such as hosting, networking, or DNS services) to operate the Service. These providers: - Do not have access to encrypted user content - Provide infrastructure services only - Are contractually obligated to protect data confidentiality Our website and infrastructure may use services such as Cloudflare DNS to enhance security and protect against attacks. Such services may automatically process limited technical request data in accordance with their own privacy policies. 6. Information Security We implement industry-standard security measures, including: - End-to-end encryption (E2EE) - Secure server infrastructure - Strict internal access controls However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Screenshots
Verdict
Element X and 2alo 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.
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.
Element X ships an update fortnightly, 2alo weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Element X | 2alo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.4 (169 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 38.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 169 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | 18.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 341 MB | 342 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vector Creations Limited | Phu Le Vinh |
In-app purchases
Element X
No in-app purchases
2alo
No in-app purchases









