coturn
coturn ships three minor versions in six weeks, packaged as Docker images on three registries.
Comparison · Meetings
BigBlueButton vs rtpengine
A side-by-side editorial comparison of BigBlueButton and rtpengine — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
BigBlueButton vs rtpengine: 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 rtpengine?
rtpengine backports the same DTLS and socket fixes across four maintenance branches at once.
Sipwise's rtpengine media proxy is maintaining several release lines in parallel (mr13.5, mr14.1, mr26.0, mr26.1, mr26.2), and most recent entries are coordinated backports. The September 16 batch fixes hash-table updates, nested string lookups and stop_forwarding mixups across four branches, and adds DTLS negotiation corrections (setup=actpass logic, ignoring incorrect DTLS=passive, keeping TLS IDs on answer role changes) to the mr26.0 and mr26.1 lines.
BigBlueButton vs rtpengine: 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.
rtpengine
5.0MEETINGS
rtpengine backports the same DTLS and socket fixes across four maintenance branches at once.
◆ Current state
Sipwise's rtpengine media proxy is maintaining several release lines in parallel (mr13.5, mr14.1, mr26.0, mr26.1, mr26.2), and most recent entries are coordinated backports. The September 16 batch fixes hash-table updates, nested string lookups and stop_forwarding mixups across four branches, and adds DTLS negotiation corrections (setup=actpass logic, ignoring incorrect DTLS=passive, keeping TLS IDs on answer role changes) to the mr26.0 and mr26.1 lines.
◆ Where it's heading
The work is focused on correctness in media negotiation, especially DTLS role handling and ICE on closed sockets, rather than new features. The newest branch, mr26.2, also brought AMR fmtp defaults, mirroring of generated RTCP sender reports to Homer, and recording cleanup hardening, which points to better interop and observability for carrier deployments.
◆ Prediction
More synchronized backport releases across the mr13.5 through mr26.2 lines are the clear pattern; feature work will most likely keep landing on mr26.2 first.
Alternatives to BigBlueButton and rtpengine
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 rtpengine.
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
Fourwaves
Fourwaves is polishing participant messaging after a pricing reset.
See all BigBlueButton alternatives → · See all rtpengine alternatives →
Recent activity from BigBlueButton and rtpengine
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 2d agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.4 patches audio and notes security flaws
- 16d agortpenginertpengine mr13.5.1.27: mux-offer fix when required
- 17d agortpenginertpengine mr26.0.1.23: DTLS negotiation and forwarding fixes
- 17d agortpenginertpengine mr13.5.1.26: forwarding and socket bug fixes
- 17d agortpenginertpengine mr26.2.1.2: core lookup and forwarding fixes
- 17d agortpenginertpengine mr26.1.1.11: DTLS negotiation and forwarding fixes
- 22d agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.3 hardens LiveKit reconnection
- 23d agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.2 fixes cross-meeting security flaws
- 1mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.1 completes the LiveKit audio migration ⚡
- 1mo agortpenginertpengine mr26.2.1.1: Homer RTCP mirroring, AMR defaults, recording fixes
- 1mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 beta.5 overhauls mobile layout
- 2mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0.0-beta.4 ⚡
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BigBlueButton and rtpengine?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. BigBlueButton and rtpengine are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 5.0 vs 5.0, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is BigBlueButton better than rtpengine?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. BigBlueButton and rtpengine are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 5.0 vs 5.0, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). 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 rtpengine?
Top rtpengine alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "rtpengine alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/rtpengine for the full list with editorial commentary on each.