Whereby vs Element
Both Whereby 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
Whereby
EU- Headquarters
- Oslo, NO
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
Element
EU- Headquarters
- London, GB
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- Element is open source, giving you full code transparency and the option to self-host. Whereby is proprietary — typically offering a more streamlined setup and managed support, but without the ability to inspect or modify the source code.
- Data residency differs: Whereby 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.
- Whereby was founded in 2013, giving it a 4-year head start over Element (founded 2017). 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: Whereby offers No-download browser meetings and Permanent meeting room URLs, while Element provides End-to-end encryption and Matrix protocol. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Whereby | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Whereby | Element |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Oslo, NO | London, GB |
| Data Centers | EU | GB, DE |
| No-download browser meetings | ||
| Permanent meeting room URLs | ||
| Screen sharing | ||
| Meeting recording | ||
| Breakout groups | ||
| Embedded video API | ||
| Virtual backgrounds | ||
| Whiteboard collaboration | ||
| Calendar integrations | ||
| End-to-end encryption | ||
| Matrix protocol | ||
| Federation | ||
| Bridges to other platforms | ||
| Voice/video calls | ||
| Threads | ||
| Spaces | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| Widgets |
Pricing Comparison
Whereby
Freefreemium
Element
Freefreemium
Compliance Comparison
Whereby
GDPRDPA
Element
GDPRDPA
Get Started
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How to Choose
You need code transparency or self-hosting
Choose Element
You want a fully managed, turnkey solution
Choose Whereby
Whereby vs Element — FAQ
What is the main difference between Whereby and Element?
Both Whereby and Element are European team collaboration solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Element is open source while Whereby is proprietary. Whereby is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, 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, Whereby or Element?
Both Whereby and Element offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Both use freemium pricing, so compare the tiers that match your team size and feature needs.
Are both Whereby and Element GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Whereby 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.