When comparing Bolt vs Element (formerly Riot), the Slant community recommends Element (formerly Riot) for most people. In the question“What are the best messaging apps for Android?” Element (formerly Riot) is ranked 2nd while Bolt is ranked 42nd. The most important reason people chose Element (formerly Riot) is:
You're not confined within Element's or even Matrix garden, and you don't have to make users of other networks switch to Matrix.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro One tap photo and video sharing
Tap a contact to take a picture, tap and hold a contact to record video. Tapping the screen will allow you to add text to photos and videos just taken.
Pro One-to-one conversations increase chance of feedback
Limiting conversations to only two parties increases the likelihood of getting a response.
Pro Bridges to other networks
You're not confined within Element's or even Matrix garden, and you don't have to make users of other networks switch to Matrix.
Pro Simple interface
Element has a very simple interface, adding the ability for more inexperienced users to use it.
Pro VOIP and Videoconferencing
Pro Supports encryption
Element allows for fully encrypted text, voice, and video chatting.
Pro Widgets support
Want to watch that flick at YouTube and discuss it at the same time? Have Grafana graphs stacked above your DevOps team chat? Collaboratively edit Google Docs and chat over without switching applications? This is possible with Element.
Pro Decentralized
An open network for secure, decentralized communication.
Pro Markdown support
Code snippets in chats can be highlighted with Markdown.
Pro Self-hosting and federated network
Pro Libre/open source
Pro Search
Search messages in your current room, or all the rooms you're in. Not subject to a message history limit like Slack.
Pro Cross platform
Web browser
Linux
OS X
Windows
Android
iOS
Pro Etherpad real-time document collaboration
An easy to activate integration that allows multiple authors to edit a document simultaneously.
Pro Large existing community
With public rooms for many people, and you can create your own and let people from the community join.
Pro File Sharing
Pro Supports text, voice, video
Cons
Con Only available in select countries
Bolt is limited to New Zealand, Singapore, and South Africa.
Con No groups
Bolt only allows one-to-one communications.
