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Telegram vs Element: Which Ensures Conversation Privacy?

Discover if Telegram from the US or Element from GB offers superior privacy for your messaging needs. Prioritize your security today.

Last updated: February 2, 2026Reviewed by Built in EU Team

Should You Switch to Element?

What You Gain

Gain enhanced privacy, end-to-end encryption, and self-hosting options.

Privacy advantage
Trade-offs

Lose larger group sizes and some automation features.

Telegram has more features
Bottom Line

Switch if privacy is your priority; stay with Telegram for features.

At a Glance

Data Location
🇺🇸US

US data laws

🌍GB

GDPR protected

Pricing

Telegram

Contact

Element

freemium

Migration
Medium difficulty~1 day

Privacy & Compliance Comparison

Critical data sovereignty factors at a glance

CriteriaTelegramElement
Server Location
UnknownEU (primarily)
GDPR Compliance
UnknownFull
Open Source
E2E Encryption
OptionalAll plans
Data Portability
UnknownFull export
Switching from
Telegram logo

Telegram

🇺🇸

Telegram

VS
Switching to
Element logo

Element

🌍

Element

US Data Storage

Data subject to US CLOUD Act and may be accessed by US authorities

EU Data Protection

Data protected under GDPR with EU-only data residency

Certifications & Compliance

No certifications listed

Open Source
Self-Hostable
ISO 27001
EU-hosted
GDPR Compliant

Reasons to Switch

  • Element uses end-to-end encryption by default for all communications.
  • Self-hosting options enhance privacy and control over data storage.
  • Element complies with GDPR, ensuring strict data protection standards.
  • Open-source nature allows for community audits and transparency.

Things to Consider

  • !Element supports group chats with only 1,000 members, less than Telegram.
  • !Migration may involve data loss as Telegram's cloud storage is not transferable.
  • !Learning curve for new users due to Element's different interface and features.
Migration difficulty:
Medium
~1 day

Migration Overview

Full guide
Difficulty
Medium
Time Estimate
~1 day

Depends on data size and complexity

Quick Steps

1

Create Element account and configure settings

2

Export and prepare data from Telegram

3

Import data, test integrations, and migrate users

Note: Element offers decentralization and strong privacy, but the transition may be complex due to its unique setup.

Other alternatives to Telegram

Ready to make the switch?

Start using Element today and take control of your data privacy.