vioscale
Comparison

Element vs Gather

On the evidence we track, Gather leads this comparison with a composite score of 67/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Element full profile →Gather full profile →
Machine formatsJSONMarkdownGraphQLor send Accept: application/json
Element49
★Gather67
Score
Vioscale score
Element49 / 100medium · 73%updating
Gather67 / 100high · 75%updating
Pricing
Free tier
Element✓
Gather✓
Model
Elementfreemium
Gatherfreemium
Price level
Elementlow
Gatherlow
Starting price
Element–
Gather$12
Transparent
Element✗
Gather✓
Integrations
Count
Element13
Gather5
Security
Disclosure policy
Element✓
Gather✓
Gdpr
Element✓
Gather✓
Iso27001
Element✓
Gather–
Soc2
Element–
Gather✓
Reliability
Status page
Element✓
Gather✓
Market
Availability

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for collaboration software. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Modality
Messaging
Element✓
Gather✓
Video meetings
Element✓
Gather✓
Whiteboard
Element✗
Gather✗
Meetings
Screen sharing
Element✗
Gather✓
Recording / transcription
Element-
GatherRecording + AI notes
Security
End-to-end encryption
Element✓
Gather✗
SSO / SCIM
Element✓
Gather✓
Access
Guest / external access
Element✓
Gather✓
Compliance
Compliance controls
Element✓
Gather✓
Deployment
Hosting
ElementCloud + self-hosted
GatherCloud only
Scale
Max participants
Element-
Gatherhundreds
Ecosystem
App marketplace
Element✓
Gather✗
Public API / bot framework
Element✓
Gather✗
Commercial
Free tier
Element✓
Gather✓

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

Element

A secure, encrypted messaging and collaboration system built on the Matrix open standard. Element enables organizations to host their own communications servers, featuring end-to-end encryption, video conferencing, and federation between different organizations or systems.

Independently observed

Gather

Leader

Gather is a cloud-based virtual office platform that enables distributed teams to collaborate naturally through a shared digital space. Team members can see each other's availability, join conversations instantly, share screens, record meetings with AI-generated notes, and build team culture—all without the friction of constant meeting scheduling.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

Element

HybridFree tier

Free open-source tier; Enterprise and Sovereign pricing available via contact

  • CommunityFree
    • Self-hosted Synapse server
    • Element Call included
    • AGPL open source
    • Frontend and backend
    • Server configuration
    • +1 more
  • EnterpriseContact sales
    • Synapse Pro server
    • Enhanced security advisories
    • Compliance and enterprise controls
    • Moderation and supervision
    • Retention policies
    • +11 more
  • SovereignContact sales
    • Synapse Pro server
    • Air-gapped deployment
    • Operates without internet connectivity
    • Custom mobile push gateway
    • Air-gapped setup and support
as of verify ↗

Gather

Leader
from $12/moSubscriptionFree tier30-day trial

From $12/member/month, 30-day free trial

  • Essential$12/member/month
    • Personalized virtual office
    • Unlimited meetings and chat
    • Meeting recordings
    • AI meeting notes and transcriptions
    • Meeting screen sharing
    • +4 more
  • CustomContact sales
    • All Essential features
    • Custom onboarding
    • Larger customized spaces
    • Hybrid solutions
    • Single sign-on (SSO)
    • +1 more
as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
Element✓
Gather✓
iOS
Element✓
Gather✗
Android
Element✓
Gather✗
macOS
Element✓
Gather✗
Windows
Element✓
Gather✓
Linux
Element✓
Gather✗
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
Element✓
Gather✓
Self-hosted
Element✓
Gather✗
On-premise
Element✓
Gather✗
Hybrid
Element✓
Gather✗
Air-gapped
Element✓
Gather✗

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

In common (3)
  • Google Calendar
  • Spotify
  • Github

Element

13 total - 10 not shared
  • Jitsi
  • Etherpad
  • Grafana
  • YouTube
  • EtherCalc
  • TradingView
  • Gitlab
  • JIRA
  • RSS
  • Webhooks
Independently observed

Gather

Leader
7 total - 4 not shared
  • Google Chrome Extension
  • Outlook (planned)
  • Google Chrome
  • Outlook
Independently observed

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.