rtpengine
rtpengine backports the same DTLS and socket fixes across four maintenance branches at once.
Comparison · Meetings
BigBlueButton vs Element Call
A side-by-side editorial comparison of BigBlueButton and Element Call — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
BigBlueButton vs Element Call: at a glance
What is BigBlueButton?
BigBlueButton 4.0 rc.4 is a security-only release as the LiveKit stack hardens.
BigBlueButton 4.0.0-rc.4 contains security fixes only, including a command injection through destination_number, unauthenticated access to a meeting's audio conference and shared notes reachable by non-members. It follows rc.2, also security-only, and rc.3, which focused on LiveKit reconnection and test stability. The project still recommends 3.0.x for production.
What is Element Call?
Element Call drops MatrixRTC legacy mode entirely, betting the entire call stack on the multi-SFU protocol.
Element Call is deep into a protocol transition: MatrixRTC legacy mode was removed in v0.25.0-rc.1, and .well-known transport discovery was removed in v0.24.0-rc.1. Both had been optional for months before the forced cutover. The current v0.26.x RC cycle is stabilizing the post-legacy stack with bug fixes to audio output selection, memberId handling in MatrixRTC mode, and leave timing adjustments when SFU delegation is active. The product ships exclusively as release candidates at this stage, signaling it's in final pre-release hardening.
BigBlueButton vs Element Call: editorial side-by-side
BigBlueButton
5.0MEETINGS
BigBlueButton 4.0 rc.4 is a security-only release as the LiveKit stack hardens.
◆ Current state
BigBlueButton 4.0.0-rc.4 contains security fixes only, including a command injection through destination_number, unauthenticated access to a meeting's audio conference and shared notes reachable by non-members. It follows rc.2, also security-only, and rc.3, which focused on LiveKit reconnection and test stability. The project still recommends 3.0.x for production.
◆ Where it's heading
The 4.0 cycle has moved from architecture (LiveKit as the only media path, BlockNote notes, Java 21) to hardening. Two security-only candidates in a month show the new LiveKit audio and notes surfaces are getting close scrutiny before GA.
◆ Prediction
Expect 4.0.0 GA once the release-candidate cadence quiets, likely preceded by at least one more rc. The steady flow of advisories makes the exact timing unclear.
Element Call
6.3MEETINGS
Element Call drops MatrixRTC legacy mode entirely, betting the entire call stack on the multi-SFU protocol.
◆ Current state
Element Call is deep into a protocol transition: MatrixRTC legacy mode was removed in v0.25.0-rc.1, and .well-known transport discovery was removed in v0.24.0-rc.1. Both had been optional for months before the forced cutover. The current v0.26.x RC cycle is stabilizing the post-legacy stack with bug fixes to audio output selection, memberId handling in MatrixRTC mode, and leave timing adjustments when SFU delegation is active. The product ships exclusively as release candidates at this stage, signaling it's in final pre-release hardening.
◆ Where it's heading
Having removed both legacy transport paths, Element Call is fully committed to a multi-SFU architecture where each homeserver operator runs their own SFU and participants connect to whichever SFUs host the streams they need. The ongoing RC cycle and the LiveKit logging improvements in v0.26.0-rc.1 point to a push for call-quality diagnostics before a stable release. Mobile performance has been a consistent focus across v0.22–v0.26 — landscape layouts, PiP mode, voice-only call handling — pointing to mobile as a priority segment.
◆ Prediction
A stable v0.26.0 release is imminent given the RC cadence. The delegated leave timing breaking change in v0.26.0-rc.2 is unfinished infrastructure for SFU delegation — that work will likely define the next development cycle.
Alternatives to BigBlueButton and Element Call
Other Meetings products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either BigBlueButton or Element Call.
coturn
coturn ships three minor versions in six weeks, packaged as Docker images on three registries.
OpenSIPS
OpenSIPS 4.0 is in release-candidate testing, with two RCs a month apart.
Kamailio
Kamailio's tracked feed shows one thing: a quiet, schema-stable 5.8 maintenance release.
JW Player
JW Player is rebuilding its VOD pipeline around CMAF, one workflow fix at a time
Restream
Restream's webinars get a registration page and a CSV of leads, turning broadcasts into a pipeline
See all BigBlueButton alternatives → · See all Element Call alternatives →
Recent activity from BigBlueButton and Element Call
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 2d agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.4 patches audio and notes security flaws
- 12d agoElement Callv0.26.1-rc.1
- 22d agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.3 hardens LiveKit reconnection
- 23d agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.2 fixes cross-meeting security flaws
- 24d agoElement Callv0.26.0-rc.2
- 26d agoElement Callv0.26.0-rc.1
- 1mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.1 completes the LiveKit audio migration ⚡
- 1mo agoElement CallMatrixRTC legacy mode removed — all calls now run on the new protocol ⚡
- 1mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 beta.5 overhauls mobile layout
- 1mo agoElement Callv0.24.0-rc.1
- 2mo agoElement Callv0.23.0-rc.1
- 2mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0.0-beta.4 ⚡
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BigBlueButton and Element Call?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Element Call is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is BigBlueButton better than Element Call?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Element Call is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Meetings products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to BigBlueButton?
Top BigBlueButton alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "BigBlueButton alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/bigbluebutton for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to Element Call?
Top Element Call alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Element Call alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/element-call for the full list with editorial commentary on each.