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Element (Matrix) vs Microsoft Teams: Pricing Comparison 2026

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

Bottom line: Element (Matrix) starts at Custom pricing and Microsoft Teams starts at $4/mo. Compare all 6 pricing tiers side by side.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026
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Element (Matrix) vs Microsoft Teams: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureElement (Matrix)Microsoft Teams
Starting PriceCustom pricing$4/mo
Number of Plans33
Free TierNoNo
Pricing Modelopen-sourceper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Element (Matrix) and Microsoft Teams are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible Communication tools. Together they offer 6 pricing plans with 32 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.

Element (Matrix) uses open-source pricing while Microsoft Teams uses per-seat 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
Element (Matrix)
Element (Matrix)
Try it free
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams
Try it free
Tier 1
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
Start with Community.
Microsoft Teams EssentialsPopular
$4/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Chat, call, and video conferencing
  • Real-time collaboration with file sharing, tasks, and polling
  • Team meeting recordings with transcripts and live captions (English)4
  • 10 GB of cloud storage per user
  • Data encryption for meetings, chats, calls, and files
  • Anytime phone and web support
Start with Microsoft Teams Essentials
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
Start with Enterprise.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
$6/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Identity and access management for up to 300 users
  • Web and mobile versions3 of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook apps
  • Custom business email (you@yourbusiness.com)
  • 1 TB of cloud storage per user
  • 10+ additional apps for your business needs (including Microsoft Bookings, Planner, and Forms)
  • AI chat experience with web grounding, writing assistance, data analysis, and access to agents5
  • Automatic spam and malware filtering
Start with Microsoft 365 Business Basic
Tier 3
Sovereign.
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Element Server Suite Pro
  • Includes Synapse Pro
  • Operate without internet connectivity
  • Dedicated mobile push gateway
  • Air-gapped installation
Start with Sovereign.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard
$13/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Desktop, web, and mobile versions3 of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other apps
  • Webinars with attendee registration and reporting
  • Collaborative workspaces to co-create using Microsoft Loop
  • Video editing and design tools with Microsoft Clipchamp
Start with Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Swipe to compare plans →

Element (Matrix)

Secure decentralized messaging built on the Matrix protocol

View all Element (Matrix) plans

Microsoft Teams

Team collaboration hub with chat, meetings, and file sharing

View all Microsoft Teams plans

What Reviewers Say

Our Pick

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams offers better overall value.

Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.

Best value: Microsoft Teams

Try Microsoft Teams free

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Element (Matrix) if:

  • •Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—Element (Matrix) offers negotiated terms for large deployments
  • •You prioritize Element (Matrix)'s user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
  • •You want Element (Matrix)'s approach to incremental feature unlocking across its 3 pricing tiers

Choose Microsoft Teams if:

  • •You want more features built-in—Microsoft Teams offers 2 additional features across its plans
  • •You prioritize Microsoft Teams's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
  • •You prefer Microsoft Teams's per-seat model with its 3-tier structure

Element (Matrix) and Microsoft Teams offer competitively positioned plans [1], with Element (Matrix) starting at Custom pricing and Microsoft Teams at $4/mo. This pricing similarity means value differentiation comes down to feature alignment rather than cost. Element (Matrix) provides 3 pricing tiers versus Microsoft Teams' 3 options, which affects your flexibility and cost-per-tier efficiency as your team scales and usage increases. Feature-wise, Element (Matrix) offers 15 total features across its tiers, while Microsoft Teams provides 17. Map your required features to each tier to determine which tool delivers the capabilities you need at your target price point. With similar pricing, your final decision should prioritize feature requirements, integration ecosystem, and hands-on user experience testing. Request demos or activate trials with both vendors to validate long-term fit before committing to annual contracts.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Element (Matrix) vs Microsoft Teams

How many pricing plans does Element (Matrix) have vs Microsoft Teams?
Element (Matrix) offers 3 pricing plans, while Microsoft Teams offers 3 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
What is the most popular Microsoft Teams plan?
The Microsoft Teams Essentials plan is Microsoft Teams' most popular tier, priced at $4/mo. Key features include Chat, call, and video conferencing, Real-time collaboration with file sharing, tasks, and polling, Team meeting recordings with transcripts and live captions (English)4.
Does Element (Matrix) or Microsoft Teams offer custom enterprise pricing?
Element (Matrix) offers a custom-priced enterprise tier for larger teams. Microsoft Teams lists all its pricing publicly.
What pricing models do Element (Matrix) and Microsoft Teams use?
Element (Matrix) uses a open-source pricing model, while Microsoft Teams uses per-seat pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do Element (Matrix) and Microsoft Teams compare for Communication?
Both Element (Matrix) and Microsoft Teams are Communication tools. Element (Matrix) offers 3 plans starting at Custom pricing, while Microsoft Teams offers 3 plans starting at $4/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Communication needs.

Sources

  1. Element (Matrix) Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
  2. Microsoft Teams Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page

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