Element vs Zulip
Both Element and Zulip are self-hosted alternatives to Discord, Google Chat, Slack and WhatsApp. Both are filed under Communication - Custom Communication Systems.
Side by side
| Field | Element | Zulip |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Fully-featured Matrix client for Web, iOS & Android. | Powerful group chat application. |
| GitHub stars | 13,633 | 26,154 |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Platforms | Nodejs | Python |
| Latest release | v1.12.33, 27 October 2026 | 13.0-rc1, 30 October 2026 |
| Repository activity | 30 October 2026 | 1 November 2026 |
| Health | Active | Active |
| Categories | Communication - Custom Communication Systems | Communication - Custom Communication Systems |
| Website | https://element.io | https://zulip.org |
| Source code | https://github.com/element-hq/element-web | https://github.com/zulip/zulip |
Where the records differ
Computed from the two records above: a line appears only where the dataset states a figure, a date or a set relation, and no line recommends one application over the other.
- Zulip has more GitHub stars in the dataset, 26,154 against 13,633.
- Zulip recorded repository activity more recently, 1 November 2026 against 30 October 2026.
- Zulip has the newer release on record: 13.0-rc1, 30 October 2026, against v1.12.33, 27 October 2026.
- Both are listed under the same license: Apache-2.0.
- Platforms differ: Element lists Nodejs; Zulip lists Python.
- Both are filed under the same categories: Communication - Custom Communication Systems.