How to Build Your Own Element
Replace Element with a custom build. Communicate on your terms - Sovereign, interoperable and secure communications, built on the Matrix open standard
Build Difficulty: 5/5
Build a working replacement in a weekend with AI tools
Estimated Timeline
Based on 55 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Real-time messaging and live updates
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 55 features
Security(9 features)
Advance notification of higher severity security releases to ensure the deployment is always maximally secure
Connect deployments and control access between private and public Matrix networks with rules-based application firewall
Utilize TLS certificate pinning to specify and ensure connection with the intended server
Enhanced content scanning to support antivirus and data loss protection
Securely link Matrix deployments across air-gapped, physically separated networks with hardware-based solutions
+4 more in this category
Compliance(7 features)
Visible in-room auditing to capture official records of discussion and decision-making for regulation and compliance
Holds UK government backed Cyber Essentials Plus certification scheme for cybersecurity
Compliance with Cyber Resilience Act requirements
Independently audited and certified as compliant with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 information security management standard
Products developed in accordance with ISO/IEC 5230 (OpenChain) for open source license compliance
+2 more in this category
Administration(5 features)
Configure and control your deployment from a single pane of glass
Integrate with enterprise identity management systems including LDAP, Active Directory, and OIDC Single Sign-On
Extended organization-wide chat room management with group and role-based access control
Automate the connection of your employees' Element Pro app to your homeserver
Corporate oversight and management of your organization's conversations
Infrastructure(5 features)
Dynamically scale to save resources and ensure great end user experience
Robust and resilient communications with no single point of failure or global outages
Automatic failover and rolling updates for additional stability and to minimize downtime
Built on open source software to ensure users can trust the system
Next generation homeserver for professional use that provides dynamic scaling and 90%+ resource savings compared to Community Synapse
Support(5 features)
Setup, configurations and onboarding from the Element team
Support for all functionality issues and bug fixes with response times based on priority
LTS versions released every 6 months for guaranteed stability with backports of critical security fixes
Guaranteed response times with 4 business hour response commitment and enhanced SLAs available
Enable your teams with expert-led onboarding including one-time training for administrators and trainers
Deployment(4 features)
Install and support for air-gapped, isolated and high-side instances with no internet connectivity needed
Push notifications via your own infrastructure
Official helm charts from Element for easy Kubernetes-based installation with GitOps and Continuous Deployment support
Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, via browser, and mobile devices (App Store, Google Play, F-Droid)
Collaboration(3 features)
Improve team productivity with add-ons including bridges, bots, widgets, embedded links, share-to capabilities, and file sharing
Monitor, send and receive messages across multiple rooms simultaneously
Group chat rooms for individuals or teams with assigned access permissions
Communication(3 features)
The ability to create invite-only rooms for private conversations
Unlimited end-to-end encrypted messages with threads, read receipts, location sharing, attachments, voice messages, polls, emojis, and reactions
Unlimited 1:1 and group voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption via Element Call
Cost Calculator
Pricing data not available for Element. Check their website for current pricing.