Element Desktop

Name: Element Desktop
Author: Element (New Vector Ltd)

v1.12.33Open sourceReleased 27 Oct 2026

Secure, decentralised chat on the open Matrix network. By Element (New Vector Ltd)

Windows
macOS
Linux
Android
iOS
Web app

Official sourceNo bundles

By the ToolsBharat teamUpdated 27 Oct 2026How we check

Quick answer

Element Desktop is open source software for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and the web from Element (New Vector Ltd). Secure, decentralised chat on the open Matrix network. Download it only from element.io. The latest version we track is 1.12.33 (27 Oct 2026). ToolsBharat links straight to the publisher's own download page, with no bundled offers.

Latest version:: 1.12.33 (27 Oct 2026)
Publisher:: Element (New Vector Ltd)
Official site:: element.io
Licence:: Open source — AGPL-3.0-or-later or GPL-3.0-or-later (commercial licence also available)
Requirements:: Windows (version not stated by the publisher)

Our verdict

Element is the main app for Matrix, an open chat network that organisations can host themselves. Chats are end-to-end encrypted, and you can talk to people on other Matrix servers much as email works across providers. It is more technical than WhatsApp, and encryption key backups need some care when you add new devices.

Screenshots

Element chat room with messages in dark theme — Publisher's website

Element room list with a voice message in a chat — Publisher's website

Key features

End-to-end encrypted rooms and direct messages
Federated Matrix network — use any server or host your own
Voice and video calls
Bridges to other chat networks (server-dependent)

Pros

Pro: No phone number needed
Pro: Self-hostable and open source
Pro: x64 and ARM64 Windows builds

Cons

Con: Key backup and device verification confuse new users
Con: Smaller everyday user base

What's new in 1.12.33

See what changed in 1.12.33 in the official release notes

Version history

Version 1.12.33Latest
27 Oct 2026
SHA-256
The developer does not publish one
Source
Release notes

Official downloads by platform

For Windows, use the Download button. Other platforms go straight to the publisher's own page or official store.

Requirements

OS: Windows (version not stated by the publisher)
Architecture: 64-bit, ARM64

Licence

Type: Open source
Licence: AGPL-3.0-or-later or GPL-3.0-or-later (commercial licence also available)
Publisher: element.io

Where these facts come from

Checked 30 Oct 2026

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