Team Chat
Element on your desktop, inside Franz (formerly Riot)
Run Element (formerly Riot) on any Matrix homeserver as a desktop app on Mac, Windows, and Linux, beside the rest of your chat in Franz.
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
Element, the client most people still search for as Riot, is the front door to Matrix, the open and decentralised network for encrypted team chat. Its strength is that it does not tie you to one company's servers: you pick the homeserver, whether that is the public matrix.org, your employer's instance, or one you run yourself. That openness is the point, and it also means a single browser tab is a poor home for it. Franz runs Element as a first-class service tab in one window, sitting alongside email and every other messenger you keep open.
Element on any Matrix homeserver
Because Matrix is federated, your account lives on whichever homeserver you chose, and different parts of your life may live on different ones. Franz lets you add Element as a tab and sign in to the homeserver you use, then add it again for a second account on another server if you need to. Each tab keeps its own session, so a personal matrix.org account and a private company homeserver stay logged in side by side, no profile swapping required. Per-tab unread badges mean you always know which account a new message belongs to.
Encrypted conversations, native alerts
End-to-end encryption only helps if you actually notice the message it protects. Franz raises native desktop notifications for Element, including the notification sound, so a direct message or a room mention reaches you the moment it arrives. The unread count separates what is addressed to you from the background traffic of busy rooms, and it stays accurate across every homeserver you connect. You keep Matrix's privacy guarantees and gain the responsiveness of a proper desktop client.
Element across every desktop platform
Franz is a native application for macOS, Windows, and Linux, and Element behaves the same on all three: matching notifications, a dock or taskbar badge, and quick switching between your tabs. For teams scattered across operating systems and homeservers, everyone gets one consistent way to reach the same rooms. You keep the full Element web experience, encrypted rooms, spaces, and calls included, now framed as a single tab in the window where your whole day already lives.
Other Team Chat services
Frequently asked questions
Which platforms does Element work on in Franz?
Franz runs Element as a native desktop app on macOS, Windows, and Linux, with the same notifications, badges, and fast switching on every operating system.
Can I use multiple Element accounts at once?
Yes. Franz lets you add Element as many times as you need, one tab per account, all signed in at once. Each tab keeps its own session and unread badge, so you never sign out of one to check another.
Is Element in Franz free?
Franz is free to use with Element and every other service. A free account covers the essentials and takes minutes to set up; paid plans add extra features, but running Element in Franz costs nothing to start.