Rocket.Chat vs Element

Microsoft Teams

Slack

WhatsApp

Microsoft Teams is a chat-based workspace in Microsoft 365 which lets users collaborate on documents, make voice & video conference calls, view chat logs, and more. Teams has replaced Skype for Business as Microsoft's online meeting solution.

Slack is a single workspace that connects users with the people and tools they work with everyday, no matter where they are or what they do

WhatsApp is a customer communications management software that helps businesses of all sizes create product catalogs and respond to customers’ messages or queries in real-time. The software provides end-to-end encryption to secure chats, voice messages, images, audio/video calls, and more.

Get things done faster by enabling your teams to o chat and collaborate quickly in a single communication platform. Allow your team to get things done faster regardless of their location. Rocket.Chat is a remote-first platform that centralizes discussions,increasing team efficiency and productivity.

Access Controls/Permissions

Activity Dashboard

Alerts/Notifications

Audio Calls

Automated Responses

Autoresponders

Brainstorming

Canned Responses

Chatbot

Chat/Messaging

Collaboration Tools

Communication Management

Conferencing

Contact Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Discussions/Forums

Document Management

Employee Activity Monitoring

File Management

File Sharing

File Transfer

Live Chat

@mentions

Mobile Access

Multi-Channel Communication

Multi-User Collaboration

Natural Language Processing

Offline Form

Proactive Chat

Projections

Real-Time Chat

Real-time Consumer-facing Chat

Real Time Editing

Real-Time Notifications

Remote Access/Control

Remote Support

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Screen Sharing

Search/Filter

Single Sign On

SMS Messaging

Tagging

Task Management

Third-Party Integrations

Time Zone Tracking

Transcripts/Chat History

Transfers/Routing

Two-Way Audio & Video

Version Control

Video Chat

Video Conferencing

Voice Mail

Workflow Management

Open Source

Rocket.Chat

Web-based

Windows

Linux

iPhone

iPad

Android

Google Meet

Workplace from Meta

Zoom Workplace

Element

Mattermost

Zoho Cliq

Starter

 Enterprise

Executive Assistant

It’s bulk instant messaging is the most effective feature than in any other chat application which made our group chat extremely efficient.

General Manager

Chat is perfect for setting up a communications channel with a lot of people where investing money for using the software is not an option (e.g. leisure clubs etc.)

QA Analyst

The app is really easy to use, has a lot of helpful features to maintain good communication.

packager

I liked being able to have group conversations.

Software Developer

The customization you can do, and the simplicity into adding a live chat widget into your web app in the way you like without importing any extra modules, you just run a JavaScript script in your web app. And the functionality is so good but to find how to correctly use them might be a bit hard :)

Web Developer

You need to have basic skills in terms of Linux, webhosting etc.

owner

We have implemented a custom made chatbot linked to our MySQL database for work distribution.

We also implemented a chatbot connected to our MySQL and automatized the work distribution.

freelancer

I currently use this program to do troubleshoot with customers and it has worked very nicely in providing me great automated system built in and quick responses for my customers/clients.

React Js Developer

It have features to delete the message with upthreads and also provision to reply in threads and follow/unfollow feature to unsubscribe from the notification.

Team Captian

It can be used with my organizations' chat platform so that I can check messages from my project lead and team members even if I am not at my pc.

Advisor

COMPLETELY free chat system, documents sharing, team discussions and info sharing.

Team Lead

Chat is a instant message and as such it helps reduce AHT as agent would no longer need to move from their desk to seek assistance from Team Lead as they can just send a message via Rocket.

We were able to quickly facilitate collaboration and communication in our firm.

Trainee Executive

Good app for communications with useful features such as selective tagging and color coding of names and mentions.

It is very confusing to go back if you click on add a file out of purpose...

You could spare some cost for a startup, as it is for our case.

I do not get notifications at all, I am late to reply to so many messages because I do not get any of the notifications. And I have to refresh every time to check if I got any new messages.

Replies to messages in thread like manner and emoji replies help in keeping the UI orderly and have less clutter.

We started our self-managed hosted community version of Rocket.

Technical Support Representative

you might over look messages that were just sitting there idle sometimes

Moreover for keyboard users like me, there should be some more keyboard aided shortcuts to Edit/ delete messages instead of drawing over mouse actions.

communicating with fellow team members in the blink of an eye is just fantastic to me.

Customer Success Manager

It's an instant messaging software so you can use it in a workplace to get in touch with each other on a daily basis.

so far the experiences I've gained are nothing short of the best when I'm engaged in critical conversations at work.

Sr. IT Service Delivery Analyst

It also offers SSO functionality where users can log in with their GSUITE credentials

Systems Administrator

My one niggle with RC is with the way notifications work when you're logged in on multiple devices and apps. When I read a message on my desktop app, it's not marked as read on my mobile apps.

Chat you can communicate with any member of your team privately via Text, Voice or Video.

Supervisor/Customer Service Representative

I also like that you can send private messages via the chat itself outside of the rooms.

It allows you to notify everyone in a group or channel.

In case you want to modify the code (likely you won't need it), but you can, so it's a big plus for feeling in control.

It hangs quite a lot even with a very strong internet connection and high spec laptop

Leasing Consultant

We got to keep a thread of all of our professional conversations in one organized location we could all see.

Chat tried to provide several debugging options inside it, so they do put effort in this.

I dont like that when someone sends you a private message theres no way to delete the message.

Marketing Manager

Intuitive and high-quality chat with all functions needed (e.g. private chats, hidden chats, ability to edit or delete messages).

UX Writer

You can easily create channels and chat to team members.

Researcher

I think it's basic theme, it just so simple, for a new person it's not that catchy or attractive than then the other competitive application available in the market.

Rocket Chat is a cost-effective communication solution for small businesses.

There are many features that can be enabled and configured, it's quite overwhelming at first.

Rocket chat is very comfortable to use and understand.

Help Desk Technician

The ease in sending group or individual messages and the fact that we send messages to other sectors of the Company (through pre-created groups).

The file sharing option could be made smoother.

Team Communication

Group Conversations

Pricing

User Interface

Notifications

Customization

Emoji Usage

Server Hosting

Messaging

Among reviewers who comment on Rocket.Chat's messaging, 68% feel positive. Users say it is easy to create and manage group conversations, share messages, and keep discussions organized. They appreciate quick communication and group management. However, they mention issues with conversation threading and difficulties tracking multiple discussions.

Large Enterprises

Small Business

Mid-size Business

Freelancers

Google Workspace

Google Workspace is a suite of applications from Google which offers a number of tools to communicate and collaborate with colleagues, store files, and manage data from all devices.

Element is a secure communications platform built on Matrix: a decentralised and end-to-end encrypted protocol. Bring your teams together, boost productivity and workplace satisfaction, while retaining complete ownership of your data.

Rocket.Chat vs Element Comparison (2026)

Rocket.Chat

Element

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives