Eleven for Business

Eleven for Business is a privacy-focused team messenger for small companies that want encrypted conversations without depending on a third-party host. It fits teams working across browsers and Apple devices, especially when client access and self-hosting matter. Its strongest case is control over where chat runs and who can read it; its biggest drawback is limited recovery and revocation for old messages.

Overview

Messages and attachments are encrypted on users’ devices, while the server only relays unreadable ciphertext. Businesses can run the service themselves at no charge with the same applications and features, making it suitable for organizations that want operational control over their chat environment.

That security model requires careful key handling. Removing a member does not revoke access to conversations they already have, and losing the only device containing unsaved keys can make that history unrecoverable. Eleven is therefore a poor fit for teams that need administrators to erase former members’ access to archived discussions or guarantee restoration after device loss.

Key features

Chat and shared spaces

Spaces, groups and direct messages support day-to-day team communication. Replies, threads and reactions keep busy discussions organized, while file sharing and link previews make the product more practical for work than a text-only messenger. GIF search is included, but searches send terms and the user’s network address to Giphy, so privacy-conscious teams should decide whether that convenience is acceptable.

Built-in coordination

Spaces include scheduled reminders and morning summaries for recurring coordination. A built-in helper can answer questions and build small apps, giving teams lightweight automation without leaving the workspace. These tools add value for small groups that want routine planning and conversation together, though they do not offset the product’s message-recovery limits.

Clients, encryption and identity

Businesses can invite clients through a link and remove them when a project ends, without creating guest accounts. That is useful for agencies and other firms with changing external collaborators, but removal should not be treated as deletion of their previous access. Chat does not require an email address or phone number, reducing identity data collected from users. Paying customers provide a billing email, and Stripe processes card details.

Pricing

Eleven uses a freemium model. The Free plan costs free and includes every feature, up to three spaces and 1 GB of files per space. It is a sensible starting point for a very small operation or a team evaluating the workflow, but the space and storage caps can constrain active projects.

The Business plan costs €11 a year, billed annually. It provides 11 GB of storage per person, pooled for the space. This is the paid choice for teams that outgrow the free plan’s three-space or per-space file allowance, while annual billing means it is less suitable for organizations wanting a short-term commitment.

Self-hosting is available at no charge, using a server program and the same apps and features. That can reduce hosting charges and satisfy data-location requirements, but the organization remains responsible for operating its own server.

Platforms

Eleven works in any browser and offers native apps for iOS and macOS. The business service also runs on warehouse Android devices, and self-hosting is supported. This combination suits distributed teams and workplaces using dedicated Android hardware, although the stated mobile app coverage centers on iOS.

Who it's for

Choose Eleven for a small business that prioritizes default end-to-end encryption, optional self-hosting and simple client invitations. It is particularly appealing when keeping chat off a provider’s readable servers matters more than administrative control over historical access.

Look elsewhere if compliance or operational policy requires revoking former members from old conversations, dependable recovery after lost devices, or broader platform coverage than the stated apps provide.

Pros and cons

• Pro: End-to-end encryption is the default, and the relay server cannot read message or attachment contents.
• Pro: No-charge self-hosting delivers the same apps and features for organizations that want control of deployment.
• Pro: Link-based client invitations avoid provisioning guest accounts for temporary collaborators.
• Pro: Reminders, summaries and the helper add coordination and lightweight automation to shared spaces.
• Con: Removing a member does not revoke access to past messages.
• Con: Losing the only device with unsaved keys can make history unrecoverable.
• Con: GIF searches disclose terms and the user’s network address to Giphy.
• Con: The free tier is limited to three spaces and 1 GB of files per space.

Alternatives

Browse secure team chat software for a wider comparison. Rocket.Chat is a better fit when you need Windows or Linux support, a free 50-user Starter plan, or a Community option supporting 100 concurrent users. Choose Wire instead if fully open-source code available on GitHub is a priority.

8seats suits teams wanting up to 10 employees, unlimited guests, 365-day message history and 1 GB of storage on its free Starter plan. Crypho is aimed at personal use on its free plan, with encrypted calls and files up to 3 MB. Troop Messenger offers a free 7-day enterprise experience for 1–50 users with 50 GB of storage.

Celo is the alternative when a free plan for up to 10 users, HIPAA-compliant messaging and delivery status are more important. Secretly for Teams is suited to encrypted chats, files and one-to-one calls with group calls for up to eight people. Element is another option for teams seeking self-hosting across a broad set of desktop and mobile platforms.

Verdict

Eleven for Business is a strong choice for small teams that want encrypted chat, temporary client access and the option to host the service themselves without a hosting fee. Choose it for deployment and privacy control; choose another platform if revoking historical access or recovering chat after lost keys is essential.