Element vs Microsoft Teams
Considering a switch from Microsoft Teams to a European alternative? Element offers full GDPR compliance and EU-only data hosting without the legal uncertainties that come with US-based services. Here's how they compare on features, pricing, and data protection.
Quick Overview
Element
EU- Headquarters
- London, GB
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Microsoft Teams
USMicrosoft Teams is a business communication and collaboration platform combining chat, video meetings, file storage, and application integration within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
The Case for Element
- Element stores all data exclusively in GB, Germany, under European jurisdiction. Unlike Microsoft Teams, which is subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, Element cannot be compelled by foreign governments to hand over your data.
- Element offers a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) that is fully aligned with GDPR Article 28. There is no legal ambiguity about data transfers or adequacy decisions — your data processor is European, and the law that governs it is European.
- As an open-source solution, Element gives you full code transparency. You can verify that the software does what it claims, audit it for security vulnerabilities, and even self-host it for maximum control — something that is simply not possible with Microsoft Teams.
- You can try Element for free before committing. This makes it easy to evaluate whether it meets your needs alongside — or as a replacement for — Microsoft Teams, without any financial risk.
Why Switch to Element?
Concerns with Microsoft Teams
- US CLOUD Act jurisdiction
- Multiple EU DPAs have questioned compliance of Microsoft 365
- Extensive telemetry collection of user activity data
- Data shared across the broader Microsoft ecosystem
Element Compliance
GDPRDPA
- Headquarters
- London, GB
- Data Centers
- GB, DE
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Element vs Microsoft Teams — FAQ
Is Microsoft Teams GDPR compliant?
Microsoft Teams may offer GDPR compliance features and EU data residency options, but as a US-headquartered company, it remains subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702. These laws can compel US companies to hand over data regardless of where it is stored. The EU-US Data Privacy Framework provides some safeguards, but its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield) were both invalidated by the European Court of Justice. Element, as a European company, is not subject to these US laws at all.
How does Element compare to Microsoft Teams in features?
Element offers End-to-end encryption, Matrix protocol, Federation, Bridges to other platforms, and 5 more features. While Microsoft Teams's ecosystem may be larger due to its market position, Element covers the core functionality that most teams need. The trade-off is typically between breadth of integrations (Microsoft Teams) and data sovereignty with regulatory certainty (Element).
Can I migrate from Microsoft Teams to Element?
Yes. Most European software providers, including Element, offer migration tools or documentation to help you transition from US-based services. Under GDPR Article 20, you have the right to data portability — meaning Microsoft Teams must provide your data in a machine-readable format. The migration process varies in complexity depending on your data volume and integrations, but for most teams it can be completed within a few days to a few weeks.