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Communication

Campfire vs Element (Matrix): Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of Campfire and Element (Matrix). See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Campfire starts at Custom pricing and Element (Matrix) starts at Custom pricing. Compare all 4 pricing tiers side by side.

Last updated: July 6, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated July 6, 2026
Try Campfire freeTry Element (Matrix) freePrice updated 11d agoPrice updated 11d ago

Campfire vs Element (Matrix): Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureCampfireElement (Matrix)
Starting PriceCustom pricingCustom pricing
Number of Plans13
Free TierYesNo
Pricing Modelflatopen-source
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Campfire and Element (Matrix) are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible Communication tools. Together they offer 4 pricing plans with 18 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.

Campfire stands out with a free plan for getting started. Campfire uses flat pricing while Element (Matrix) uses open-source pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.

Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Communication needs.

Pricing Plans
Campfire
Campfire
Try free
Element (Matrix)
Element (Matrix)
Try free
Tier 1
Campfire
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Easy installation
  • Free updates
  • It’s open source (you get the code)
Community.
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Element Server Suite Community
  • Open source under AGPL
  • Official FOSS distribution from Element
  • Free of charge frontend and backend
  • Includes Element Call
Tier 2
-
Enterprise.
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Element Server Suite Pro
  • Includes Synapse Pro
  • Enhanced security and support
  • Corporate oversight and control
  • Dynamic scaling and cost savings
Tier 3
-
Sovereign.
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Element Server Suite Pro
  • Includes Synapse Pro
  • Operate without internet connectivity
  • Dedicated mobile push gateway
  • Air-gapped installation

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Campfire

Self-hosted group chat by 37signals with one-time purchase

View all Campfire plans

Element (Matrix)

Secure decentralized messaging built on the Matrix protocol

View all Element (Matrix) plans

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Campfire if:

  • You want a simple hosted team chat with no infrastructure overhead
  • You need flat-rate pricing and quick setup
  • Your team doesn't require end-to-end encryption

Choose Element (Matrix) if:

  • You need end-to-end encrypted, self-hosted team messaging
  • You want data sovereignty and open-source control
  • Your organization requires cryptographic privacy in communication

Element is a secure Matrix-based messaging platform for organizations that need end-to-end encryption and data sovereignty. Campfire is a simple business chat at $299/month. Element can be self-hosted for free. Campfire is hosted-only. For security-sensitive organizations, Element is the right choice. For simplicity-focused teams, Campfire is less friction.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Campfire vs Element (Matrix)

How many pricing plans does Campfire have vs Element (Matrix)?
Campfire offers 1 pricing plan, while Element (Matrix) offers 3 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Campfire or Element (Matrix) offer a free plan?
Campfire offers a free plan, while Element (Matrix) does not. If budget is a concern, Campfire lets you get started at no cost.
Does Campfire or Element (Matrix) offer custom enterprise pricing?
Element (Matrix) offers a custom-priced enterprise tier for larger teams. Campfire lists all its pricing publicly.
What pricing models do Campfire and Element (Matrix) use?
Campfire uses a flat pricing model, while Element (Matrix) uses open-source pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do Campfire and Element (Matrix) compare for Communication?
Both Campfire and Element (Matrix) are Communication tools. Campfire offers 1 plan starting at Custom pricing, while Element (Matrix) offers 3 plans starting at Custom pricing. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Communication needs.
AI Recommendations

Sources

  1. Campfire Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page
  2. Element (Matrix) Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page

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