AES-256 Encryption
All messages encrypted end-to-end using AES-256 over TCP. Your data never leaves the LAN in plaintext — ever. No certificates to manage, no PKI overhead.
Everything You Need
All Features
Every capability built into ELM — from AES-256 encrypted messaging to silent admin monitoring, all running entirely on your local network.
Instant LAN Discovery
Automatic peer discovery via UDP broadcast. No configuration, no servers, no IT intervention. Peers appear in seconds and a unicast reply ensures even late-joining admins see all users immediately.
File Transfers
Send any file type with drag-and-drop support and inline image previews. Files are automatically organized into categories (images, docs, videos) in your downloads folder.
Screen Sharing & Remote Control
Request or accept screen share sessions with full mouse and keyboard remote control. Multiple simultaneous sessions supported. 40 FPS capture with optional recording.
Group Chat
Create named groups, invite members, and chat together. Members automatically receive invites and join in real-time. Sender names and avatars displayed per message. Manage members with the group panel.
Message Receipts
Sent → Delivered → Seen status per message. Real-time updates with blue double-ticks when your message has been read. Works for both direct and group chats.
Offline Messaging
Messages queue locally while a peer is offline and deliver automatically the moment they reconnect to the network. No message is lost due to downtime.
Screen Recording
Record screen share sessions as H.264 MP4 files using FFmpeg. Non-blocking background encoding so performance never suffers. Saved with session timestamps for audit trails.
Silent View (IT Admin)
Silently view any device screen without notification. Admin mode is locked behind a SHA-256 passphrase. View-only, no remote control in silent mode. Audit-ready with session timestamps.
Broadcast Messages
Send a message to all online users on the network simultaneously. Perfect for announcements and urgent notifications without individual conversations.
Dark & Light Themes
Polished themes that switch live at runtime. Every element — bubbles, scrollbars, tooltips, dialogs — adapts instantly. Custom bubble colours per user.
Encrypted Portable Backup
Export and restore all messages, settings and file history as AES-256 encrypted .elmbackup files. Cross-machine compatible.
Latest additions
Message Reactions
Right-click any bubble and react with 👍 ❤️ 😂 😮 😢 👎. Reactions sync to peers in real-time and persist in the message history.
Typing Indicators
See "Alice is typing…" in real-time. Debounced — sends at most once every 2 seconds and auto-hides after 3 seconds of inactivity.
Full-Text Search (FTS5)
Search across all message history instantly using SQLite FTS5. Results are highlighted and ranked by relevance — far faster than a plain LIKE scan.
Taskbar Unread Badge
Red circle overlay on the taskbar button showing cumulative unread count. Cleared when any chat opens. Zero CPU cost — rendered once per event via DrawingVisual.