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Matrix and Element: a free and sovereign alternative to Slack, Teams and Discord

TL;DR

  • 🧩 Matrix: an open, federated messaging protocol (think email, but for chat).
  • 💬 Element: the main, modern and free application, compatible with other clients (Cinny, FluffyChat…).
  • 🔒 Privacy: end‑to‑end encryption with no data analysis.
  • 🇨🇦 Sovereignty: host locally or wherever you choose, beyond the reach of the CLOUD Act.
  • 💸 Cost: no per‑user licences, self‑hosting or affordable managed service.
  • ⚙️ Features: rooms, threads, voice/video calls, file sharing and multiple integrations.
  • 🔁 Interoperability: bridges to Slack, Teams, Discord, Telegram, etc.
  • ♻️ Longevity: open standard, active community, no dependence on a single vendor.
  • ✅ Ideal for: SMEs and nonprofits wanting a modern, private and sovereign messaging platform.

Introduction

Team messaging tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams and Discord have become omnipresent in businesses and nonprofits. They facilitate real‑time collaboration, but their proprietary, centralised nature raises questions: where do our data go? Who can access them? What does it cost over time? In Quebec, a growing number of leaders sensitive to digital independence are seeking solutions that put them back in control.

In this article, we introduce Matrix, an open communication protocol, along with Element – its main client – and other derivative applications (Cinny, FluffyChat, SchildiChat, etc.). These open tools are viable alternatives to proprietary platforms, offering greater privacy, data sovereignty, flexibility and longevity – all without major compromises on features. Around 2,000 words to explore the topic in an educational and accessible way, without condescension, to help you understand how Matrix & Element can represent “the free way” for your internal communications.

What is Matrix?

Matrix is an open, decentralised standard protocol for real‑time communication. In practice, it’s an instant messaging network that works a bit like email: any organisation or provider can host a server, and users can connect with each other regardless of who hosts it.

This federated approach contrasts with closed systems like Slack or Teams where all your conversations run through a single company’s servers. With Matrix, there is no single control point: the network is spread across multiple interconnected servers (called “instances”), each of which can be self‑hosted or entrusted to a provider. This model reduces the risk of total outages and gives users the power to choose where their data lives.

For users, Matrix allows exchanging text messages asynchronously or in real time, creating chat rooms (equivalent to Slack/Teams channels), making audio/video calls and even sharing files – all within an open environment where messages can remain accessible for as long as you want, with no artificial limits on history or number of users.

Element: the main Matrix client

Element is the flagship application developed by the creators of the Matrix protocol. It is an open‑source, cross‑platform messaging client (available on the web, desktop and mobile) that allows you to connect to the Matrix world. Element offers an intuitive, full‑featured interface that picks up the conventions of modern messaging: organised rooms, threads, mentions, reactions, support for audio/video calls, etc.

Element''s features include:

  • chat rooms (channels) that can be private or public, with threads to keep conversations organised;
  • direct instant messaging (DM) between colleagues, with the ability to add emoji reactions, mentions, etc.;
  • file sharing and search within message history;
  • voice calls and videoconferencing (integrating, for example, Jitsi for video) to hold online meetings or talk face to face;
  • built‑in end‑to‑end encryption by default for private conversations, ensuring that only participants can read the messages (even the server administrator cannot access them in plain text).

As a free solution, Element can be used in several ways. You can open a free account (for example on the public Matrix.org server) and start using it like any other chat. For organisations, Element is flexible: you can set up your own server (Synapse, Dendrite, Conduit, etc.) and connect it to Element, or use a hosted offering (Element Cloud) for greater simplicity.

Because Element is open source, its code is transparent and auditable. This transparency reinforces trust in the tool, unlike proprietary applications where the actual data processing remains opaque. In fact, Element is already used by public institutions, governments and security‑conscious companies (the French Army uses a customised version called Tchap).

Other popular Matrix clients

One of Matrix’s strengths is its ecosystem. As an open standard, many developers have created client applications that offer varied experiences while connecting to the same Matrix network. This means you are not limited to Element: you can choose the client that suits you best according to your needs and ergonomic preferences.

  • Cinny – A Matrix client focused on simplicity and interface elegance. Accessible via a web browser or as a desktop application, Cinny offers a clean, easy‑to‑use experience that’s ideal for people who want messaging without frills.
  • FluffyChat – Nicknamed “the cutest messenger”, FluffyChat is a friendly, cross‑platform Matrix application. Available on mobile (Android/iOS) and desktop, it offers a colourful and playful interface, much like a traditional mobile messenger, with stickers, customisable themes and an easy onboarding for new users.
  • SchildiChat – This is a modified version of Element that offers a more traditional messaging experience. SchildiChat builds on Element’s solid base but adds interface tweaks and extra functions to better match the habits of Slack or Discord users (for example, a sidebar with room index).

(Many other Matrix clients exist – for example NeoChat for the KDE desktop, Nheko on desktop, ElementX on mobile, etc. – but we’ll stick to those mentioned for now.)

The advantage of this diversity is flexibility: your team members can use different applications according to their preferences or devices while staying in the same Matrix rooms. A developer on a PC can use Element or SchildiChat, while a field worker on mobile will prefer FluffyChat – and everyone will continue communicating seamlessly.

Privacy

On the privacy front, Matrix solutions stand out clearly from proprietary platforms.

Matrix/Element was designed with privacy in mind, with end‑to‑end encryption available everywhere, whereas Slack, Teams and Discord take far more lax approaches.

  • Encryption of communications: By default, private messages (and encrypted rooms) in Element are end‑to‑end encrypted. This means no one outside the participants (neither the host, nor a system administrator, nor a third party) can read your conversations. This is a crucial advantage over Slack or Teams, where administrators and certain third‑party integrations can access message content.
  • No tracking or ads: Matrix and its clients like Element or FluffyChat are free software funded by donations, support or pro offers, with no advertising model. There are no hidden marketing trackers or profiling of users to target ads, as you see on Facebook or Messenger.
  • Access control and local moderation: With Matrix, each organisation can set its own moderation rules on its server or rooms. You are not subject to usage policies dictated by a third company for all its clients. This makes it easier to create safe discussion spaces tailored to your internal codes of conduct.

Data sovereignty

The principle of data sovereignty is about retaining control over where and how your information is stored. On this point, Matrix/Element offers a level of control unmatched by Slack, Teams or Discord.

  • Local hosting or choice of country: With Matrix, you have the freedom to host the messaging server wherever you want. You can install a Matrix server (such as Synapse, the reference implementation) on your own machines on‑premises, or choose a country for hosting (e.g. Canada, Europe, etc.) via a provider who complies with specific regulations (GDPR, Loi 25).
  • Independence from the tech giants: Using Matrix means choosing a tool that is not part of the GAFAM. This may seem symbolic, but for many SMEs and nonprofits, avoiding constant dependence on the same big players (Microsoft, Salesforce, Atlassian...) is a strategic issue to protect themselves from vendor lock‑in and extraterritorial legal interference (the CLOUD Act, etc.).
  • No exit barriers: Sovereignty also means being able to recover and migrate your data easily. Thanks to Matrix, if you ever decide to change host or merge your communications with another instance, it can be done without obstacles. Data and accounts remain exportable.

In short, Matrix+Element give you full control over your communication data. They are no longer locked away in a “black box” held by a provider but in your hands, with the ability to handle them as you see fit. For organisations concerned with sovereignty, this is a decisive asset.

Cost

The economic model and financial cost are practical factors to consider when choosing a collaboration tool. Let’s compare how Matrix/Element and proprietary solutions position themselves in this regard.

  • Software licence: Matrix and its clients (Element and others) are free and open‑source software. There is no per‑user licence cost. You can deploy a Matrix server internally without paying any software royalties. In the case of Slack and Teams, per‑user licences (billed monthly) can represent a significant budget over the long term.
  • Infrastructure costs: If you choose self‑hosted Matrix, you obviously need to factor in the cost of a server (physical or virtual) and maintenance time. For a small team, this can amount to a simple cloud VPS at a few dollars per month. For Slack and Teams, in addition to the licences, you are still dependent on the provider’s infrastructure anyway.
  • Free vs paid versions: It is tempting for small organisations to use the free versions of Slack or Teams to avoid costs. However, these “freemium” versions come with significant limitations. For example, Slack’s free plan limits message history to 90 days and restricts storage. Microsoft Teams’ free tier does not include the same levels of security and compliance. In the end, you will end up paying to unlock professional features and the bill quickly adds up.

With Matrix/Element, there is no crippled version: you get all the features from the start, without artificial limits on messages or users. Cost may come from hosting (if you opt for a dedicated server or a managed offer), but the tool itself remains free.

Key features

A good collaboration tool must cover a set of key features to be usable on a daily basis. People often ask, “Yes, but Slack/Teams have this or that convenient feature – does Matrix have them too?” The answer is largely yes, with a few nuances.

  • Structured group messaging: Slack, Teams and Discord let you create channels or rooms to organise discussions by project, team or topic. Matrix offers the same via rooms. A room can be private (only invited members can join), public (open to everyone), or you can use “spaces” to group several rooms under a project or organisation.
  • Threads and reactions: On Slack and Teams, managing threads is crucial to avoid mixing conversations. Discord added this later (with the option to create a thread from a message). Element fully supports threads, as well as emoji reactions and inline replies, to make following discussions easier.
  • Voice and video calls: Microsoft Teams is particularly well known for videoconferencing (with calendar integration, screen sharing, etc.), Slack offers audio/video calls (limited in free versions), and Discord excels at persistent voice channels. Matrix provides voice and video calls via implementations like Jitsi, Element Call or Element Meetings, meeting most needs.
  • File sharing and search: A team chat is often used to exchange documents, images, links, etc. Slack and Teams provide file storage (with quota limits depending on the plan) and a global search function to find messages and attachments. Matrix also offers sharing and a search engine in the history (to be enabled on the server side), although it is sometimes less elaborate than Slack’s proprietary indexing.
  • Integrations and bots: One area where Slack has shone is its ecosystem of third‑party apps and bots (integration of Google Drive, Trello, polls, etc.). Teams also integrates with the Office suite (sharing OneDrive documents, co‑editing Office files, SharePoint access...). Discord offers many bots for gaming and various integrations. Matrix is not left behind thanks to its “bridges” and open APIs: you can connect Matrix to GitLab, Trello, Notion or any tool via an existing bot or bridge or one you develop yourself. There are even Slack<->Matrix and Teams<->Matrix bridges to create hybrid interoperability during a transition phase.

In summary, when it comes to essential collaboration features, Matrix/Element ticks almost all the boxes: structured group messaging (with threads), DM, files, calls, integrations. There is no major deal‑breaking gap. You just need to configure the necessary modules correctly (server search, bridges) and train users to take full advantage of the tool’s potential.

Flexibility and integrations

We have already touched on this topic when discussing the different Matrix clients and bridges: flexibility is truly an area where Matrix surpasses proprietary solutions.

  • Choice of user interface: As mentioned, Matrix does not impose a single client. This modularity allows the tool to be tailored to various uses. For example, a technically oriented team can develop its own bespoke client using Matrix libraries (there are SDKs in various languages). A field association can make do with an all‑in‑one client like Element or SchildiChat. The important thing is that everyone can choose the interface that suits them without fragmenting communication.
  • Customization and extensibility: Since Matrix is open source, the tool can be customised in depth. Need to add a polling plugin in Element? You can develop a widget. Want to integrate messaging into your internal business application? Matrix’s open APIs make that easy. This extensibility is invaluable for adapting the tool to specific processes.
  • Interoperability between platforms: A special mention must be made of bridges because this is a unique flexibility of Matrix. Imagine your organisation works with an external partner who already uses Slack and does not want to change: with Matrix, you can connect one of your Matrix rooms to a Slack channel via a bridge. Messages are synchronised both ways. During a transition, this allows everyone to communicate without forcing a sudden migration. The same principle exists for Teams, Discord, Telegram, Signal, WhatsApp… This gradual interoperability makes adopting Matrix in an existing ecosystem easier.

In sum, Matrix offers flexibility both at the technical level (choice of client, customisation, self‑hosting vs cloud, etc.) and at the functional level (multiple integrations, bridges between tools). This flexibility allows you to adapt the messaging system to your needs rather than adapting your processes to the limitations of proprietary software.

Longevity and durability

Finally, let’s talk about longevity. Choosing a communication tool means investing time and money in an ecosystem – it’s better if it lasts and remains reliable over time. From this point of view, Matrix/Element offers guarantees that no proprietary service can match, thanks to its open model and dynamic ecosystem.

  • No risk of abrupt shutdown: When you depend on a proprietary platform, you are exposed to its commercial fate. If tomorrow Slack decides to drastically change its pricing, or worse, shuts down, your data and workflow are stuck. We have seen cases where tools disappeared, forcing their users into emergency migration. With Matrix, you control your infrastructure: even if a host shuts down its service, you can move your accounts elsewhere without losing anything.
  • Scalability and community: Matrix is supported by a large international community of developers and users. This means that the protocol evolves transparently (Matrix 2.0 with improvements is already being discussed) and new features appear continuously. This community also watches over security by promptly fixing potential vulnerabilities.
  • Freedom of migration and future adaptation: Adopting Matrix today means ensuring the freedom to evolve it according to your future. Growing and want to move from a public cloud to a dedicated server? It’s possible. Merging with a partner who also has a Matrix server? You can federate the instances or keep just one. Discover that another server implementation suits you better? Simply export your data and import it into the new one. This freedom is precious in a world where everything moves quickly.

To summarise this comparison on longevity: Matrix offers peace of mind. Your efforts to build a knowledge and exchange base via this messaging system will not be wiped out by a provider’s decision. On the contrary, you have the guarantee that your communications will always belong to you, and that the ecosystem will continue to improve thanks to open source.

Comparison table

To better visualise the differences discussed, here is a summarised comparison table between solutions based on Matrix (e.g. Element and its derivatives) and the popular proprietary platforms Slack, Microsoft Teams and Discord. This table evaluates several key criteria using visual codes (🟢 = very good, 🟡 = average, 🔴 = weak) to help you quickly discern the strengths and weaknesses of each option.

Note: This table presents a general view. Each solution has its nuances (for example, Slack offers fine‑grained management of integrations via its App Directory, and Discord is free but at the cost of less privacy). Nonetheless, it illustrates well how Matrix/Element stands out from the crowd.

Conclusion

In the face of the apparent monopoly of tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams or Discord, it is reassuring to know that there is a credible, robust alternative that respects your values: the Matrix + Element duo, backed by an entire ecosystem of innovative clients. For a Quebec SME or nonprofit concerned with sovereignty, adopting this solution means taking a step towards greater independence, security and cost control.

By choosing Matrix/Element, you opt for:

  • Independence: your communications, your rules, without being bound hand and foot by the conditions of a multinational.
  • Privacy: truly private messaging where your discussions stay between you.
  • Control of your data: host locally if you wish, keep your entire history, change host freely – your data belongs to you.
  • Openness: an interoperable tool that integrates with your environment rather than imposing its own, and a community ready to innovate continuously.
  • Economy: no per‑user licences, the possibility of using free or low‑cost solutions, while avoiding the frustrating limitations of freemium offers.

Of course, any transition requires some support (user training, possibly the technical set‑up of the Matrix server). But the effort is worth it: you will build a healthier communication system, more respectful of privacy and better aligned with the values of digital autonomy that are gaining importance in Quebec and beyond.

In conclusion, Matrix, Element and the free clients that follow represent today a mature alternative to the Slacks, Teams and Discords of this world. They embody a vision in which technology serves humans – not the other way around – by giving them back control over their exchanges and their digital future.

Sources and bibliography

  • Matrix (protocol) – French Wikipedia page. General description of the Matrix protocol and its decentralised operation. Link: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_(protocole)
  • Slack – Pricing (free plan) – Official Slack page indicating the limitations of the free plan (message history limited to 90 days, etc.). Link: https://slack.com/intl/fr-fr/pricing
  • SILEXO – Digital sovereignty: 40 alternatives to American software (2023). Article presenting sovereign solutions including Element/Matrix, with details on encryption, hosting and interoperability. Link: [Silexo article].
  • Element Blog – “Microsoft Teams and Slack integration using Matrix” (article dated 24 May 2021). Explains how Matrix can bridge Teams and Slack, and points out the lack of E2EE and sovereignty in those platforms. Link: [Element blog post].
  • JoinMatrix.org – “Matrix vs. Discord” (comparative guide, 2023). Details why Matrix is an alternative to Discord, addressing privacy aspects (lack of encryption and content analysis on Discord). Link: [JoinMatrix guide].
  • Matrix.org – Matrix clients. Official directory of Matrix clients with descriptions of Cinny, FluffyChat, SchildiChat, etc. Link: https://matrix.org/ecosystem/clients/
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