Replacement Guide

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

Weekend Project
55 features10 integrationsOne weekend

Estimated Timeline

Based on 55 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.

1
Setup & scaffolding
2 hours
2
Core features
4-6 hours
3
Polish & deploy
2 hours

Recommended Tech Stack

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Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components

Supabase

PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions

Tailwind CSS

Utility-first styling for rapid UI development

Pusher / WebSockets

Real-time messaging and live updates

Key Features to Replicate

Top features across 8 categories. See all 55 features

Security(9 features)

Advance Security AdvisoryPremium

Advance notification of higher severity security releases to ensure the deployment is always maximally secure

Border GatewaysPremium

Connect deployments and control access between private and public Matrix networks with rules-based application firewall

Certificate PinningPremium

Utilize TLS certificate pinning to specify and ensure connection with the intended server

Content ScanningPremium

Enhanced content scanning to support antivirus and data loss protection

Cross Domain SolutionsPremium

Securely link Matrix deployments across air-gapped, physically separated networks with hardware-based solutions

+4 more in this category

Compliance(7 features)

Auditing and ReportingPremium

Visible in-room auditing to capture official records of discussion and decision-making for regulation and compliance

Cyber Essentials Plus CertificationPremium

Holds UK government backed Cyber Essentials Plus certification scheme for cybersecurity

Cyber Resilience Act CompliancePremium

Compliance with Cyber Resilience Act requirements

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 CompliancePremium

Independently audited and certified as compliant with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 information security management standard

ISO/IEC 5230 CompliancePremium

Products developed in accordance with ISO/IEC 5230 (OpenChain) for open source license compliance

+2 more in this category

Administration(5 features)

Admin InterfacePremium

Configure and control your deployment from a single pane of glass

Advanced Identity and Access ManagementPremium

Integrate with enterprise identity management systems including LDAP, Active Directory, and OIDC Single Sign-On

Extended Room ManagementPremium

Extended organization-wide chat room management with group and role-based access control

Mobile Device ManagementPremium

Automate the connection of your employees' Element Pro app to your homeserver

ModerationPremium

Corporate oversight and management of your organization's conversations

Infrastructure(5 features)

Auto-ScalingPremium

Dynamically scale to save resources and ensure great end user experience

Decentralized Architecture

Robust and resilient communications with no single point of failure or global outages

High Availability and Rolling UpdatesPremium

Automatic failover and rolling updates for additional stability and to minimize downtime

Open Source

Built on open source software to ensure users can trust the system

Synapse Pro HomeserverPremium

Next generation homeserver for professional use that provides dynamic scaling and 90%+ resource savings compared to Community Synapse

Support(5 features)

Installation SupportPremium

Setup, configurations and onboarding from the Element team

Level 3 SupportPremium

Support for all functionality issues and bug fixes with response times based on priority

Long Term Support (LTS)Premium

LTS versions released every 6 months for guaranteed stability with backports of critical security fixes

Service Level Agreement (SLA)Premium

Guaranteed response times with 4 business hour response commitment and enhanced SLAs available

Training and DeploymentPremium

Enable your teams with expert-led onboarding including one-time training for administrators and trainers

Deployment(4 features)

Air-Gapped DeploymentPremium

Install and support for air-gapped, isolated and high-side instances with no internet connectivity needed

Custom Mobile Push GatewayPremium

Push notifications via your own infrastructure

Kubernetes SupportPremium

Official helm charts from Element for easy Kubernetes-based installation with GitOps and Continuous Deployment support

Multi-Platform Support

Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, via browser, and mobile devices (App Store, Google Play, F-Droid)

Collaboration(3 features)

Collaboration ToolsPremium

Improve team productivity with add-ons including bridges, bots, widgets, embedded links, share-to capabilities, and file sharing

Grid ViewPremium

Monitor, send and receive messages across multiple rooms simultaneously

Spaces

Group chat rooms for individuals or teams with assigned access permissions

Communication(3 features)

Private Rooms

The ability to create invite-only rooms for private conversations

Secure Messaging

Unlimited end-to-end encrypted messages with threads, read receipts, location sharing, attachments, voice messages, polls, emojis, and reactions

Voice and Video Calls

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.

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