Element is a web and desktop client for the Matrix protocol built using the Matrix JS SDK.
Element addresses the need for a user-friendly interface to access Matrix, a decentralized communication protocol. The project provides both a web application and a desktop variant wrapped in Electron, allowing users to participate in Matrix-based collaboration and messaging. The web client can be accessed through a hosted instance or self-hosted on your own infrastructure, while the desktop application offers an alternative deployment model for users preferring native application behavior.
Element Web suits organizations and individuals seeking to deploy a Matrix client without relying on proprietary communication platforms. The project explicitly recommends native applications for Android and iOS rather than the web client on mobile devices. Self-hosting is supported through documented installation procedures, making it appropriate for teams wanting to maintain their own infrastructure. The monorepo structure organizes Element Web alongside related projects, allowing developers to work with interconnected components in a single repository.
The project maintains tiered browser support with actively triaged issues blocking releases for the last two major versions of Chrome, Firefox, and Edge on desktop, plus the last two versions of Safari. Best-effort support extends to Firefox ESR and Chrome/Edge Extended Stable, where issues are accepted but regressions do not block releases. Mobile web browsers receive community-supported status with contributions welcome, while unsupported environments have issues closed. The support period for each tier extends through one additional app release cycle beyond the specified version cutoff.
