ElementLinux
vs
Microsoft Teams for EducationWindows
Element as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Teams for Education
Updated
Our verdict
Element can replace Microsoft Teams for Education for schools that only need secure chat, persistent rooms and basic video conferencing. It works well on Linux and offers end‑to‑end encryption, unlimited room history and cross‑platform accounts. However, it lacks built‑in classroom tools such as attendance tracking, assignment distribution, gradebooks and native LMS integration, so it is best suited for teachers and students who can supplement those functions with separate learning‑management software.
- License
- AGPL-3.0-only OR GPL-3.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.12.32 (October 16, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Real‑time text chat with persistent rooms
- One‑to‑one and group video calls with screen sharing
- File sharing within chats and rooms
- Cross‑platform accounts (Linux, Windows, macOS, mobile)
- Support for notifications and keyword alerts
What is different
- No built‑in attendance, assignment or grading features
- No direct integration with common LMSs (Moodle, Canvas, etc.)
- Lacks dedicated classroom management tools such as breakout rooms for lessons
- No native support for Microsoft Office document collaboration (real‑time co‑editing)
- Requires separate setup for bots and integrations, unlike Teams' built‑in apps
Opening your Microsoft Teams for Education files
Element can receive and store any file type that users upload, but it does not understand Microsoft Teams‑specific file formats (e.g., .teams files) or automatically convert them. Exporting a Teams meeting transcript or assignment package would need to be done manually, and there is no built‑in tool to open those files directly in Element.
Switching from Microsoft Teams for Education to Element, step by step
- Create a Matrix account for each user (or use an existing homeserver).
- Install Element via Flatpak or your distribution's package manager.
- Set up rooms that correspond to classes or project groups.
- Invite students and staff to the appropriate rooms.
- Configure bots or integrations for file storage (e.g., Nextcloud) if needed.
- Train users on using Element’s chat, video calls and screen‑share features.
Key features of Element
- End‑to‑end encrypted chat and calls
- Persistent rooms with unlimited history
- Customizable notifications and keyword alerts
- Bot integrations via the Element store
- Matrix federation for cross‑server communication
- Screen sharing and WebRTC video conferencing
- Desktop and mobile clients share the same account
- Wayland support via Flatpak
How to install Element on Linux
flatpak install flathub im.riot.RiotFrequently asked questions
Can Element be used on Windows or macOS as well?
Yes, Element provides native clients for Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile platforms, so mixed‑OS classrooms can use the same service.
Is end‑to‑end encryption mandatory for all chats?
Encryption is optional; private rooms are encrypted by default, while public rooms can be left unencrypted if required.
How does Element handle large file uploads?
Files are uploaded to the Matrix server; size limits depend on the server configuration, so you may need to adjust the homeserver settings for very large files.
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