Penpot vs Element
Both Penpot and Element are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the team collaboration space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Penpot
EU- Headquarters
- Madrid, ES
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Element
EU- Headquarters
- London, GB
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- Penpot offers a free tier, while element offers a free tier. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- Data residency differs: Penpot hosts data in EU, while Element hosts in GB, Germany. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Element was founded in 2017, giving it a 4-year head start over Penpot (founded 2021). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Penpot offers Real-time collaboration and Interactive prototyping, while Element provides End-to-end encryption and Matrix protocol. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Penpot | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Penpot | Element |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Madrid, ES | London, GB |
| Data Centers | EU | GB, DE |
| Real-time collaboration | ||
| Interactive prototyping | ||
| Component libraries | ||
| Design tokens | ||
| Flex and Grid layout | ||
| SVG native format | ||
| CSS inspect panel | ||
| Plugin system | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| End-to-end encryption | ||
| Matrix protocol | ||
| Federation | ||
| Bridges to other platforms | ||
| Voice/video calls | ||
| Threads | ||
| Spaces | ||
| Widgets |
Pricing Comparison
Penpot
Freefree / enterprise
Element
Freefreemium
Compliance Comparison
Penpot
GDPRDPA
Element
GDPRDPA
Get Started
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How to Choose
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Element
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose Penpot
Penpot vs Element — FAQ
What is the main difference between Penpot and Element?
Both Penpot and Element are European team collaboration solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Penpot uses free / enterprise pricing while Element uses freemium. Penpot is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, while Element is based in London, GB. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Penpot or Element?
Both Penpot and Element offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Pricing models differ (free / enterprise vs. freemium), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Penpot and Element GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Penpot and Element are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.