# Cenova vs Element Classic

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Element Classic at 44% against Cenova's 4%. Cenova's advantage is iOS requirement (7.0 vs 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.

Cenova ships an update every 3 weeks, Element Classic monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cenova | Element Classic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.3 (578 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-classic/id1083446067/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **578** |
| Positive reviews | 3.8% of reviews | **43.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 30 MB | 172 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Rifat BAYDEMIR](https://appshunter.io/developer/1420825550) | [Vector Creations Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1154157774) |

## What reviewers say

### Cenova

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cenova/id763219289)

Monitor and manage DVR devices remotely from your iOS device. View live and recorded video streams, control PTZ cameras, and adjust device settings with an intuitive interface.

**Highlights:** Device management, Remote live video viewing (single & multi-channel), Remote playback & PTZ control, Local recording playback, Device system settings, Easy-to-use interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cenova free?

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

### Is Element Classic free?

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

### Do Cenova or Element Classic have ads?

Neither Cenova nor Element Classic shows ads.

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

Cenova ships an update every 3 weeks, and Element Classic monthly. Most recently, Cenova was updated on September 21, 2026 and Element Classic on September 27, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*