Campsite vs Element
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted social networks options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Campsite
Self-hosted async team social and updates space
VS
Element
A glossy Matrix client compatible with Synapse
| Feature | Campsite | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Networks | Social Networks |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | free |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, one-click |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,828 | ★ 13,353 |
| First released | 2024 | 2022 |
| Replaces | Yammer, Workplace | — |
Why pick each one
Choose Campsite if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (4.8k GitHub stars)
- Written in TypeScript
Choose Element if…
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- One-click install on common self-host platforms
- Mature project with 13.4k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is Campsite or Element better?
Element is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Campsite if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Campsite and Element free and open-source?
Yes. Campsite is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Element under free. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Campsite and Element with Docker?
Campsite: yes. Element: yes.