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Comparison · Meetings
Element Call vs Howspace
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Element Call and Howspace — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Element Call vs Howspace: at a glance
What is Element Call?
With the protocol cutover behind it, Element Call is back to polishing the in-call experience.
Element Call finished its architectural transition this summer: multi-SFU routing became the default in v0.21 and MatrixRTC legacy mode was removed in v0.25. The releases since are smaller: audio output defaults, delayed-leave timing tweaks, and now a quick audio menu and bell reaction sound in v0.28.
What is Howspace?
Finnish change-management platform that went silent after a 2024 partnerships push.
Howspace is a Finnish org-transformation and L&D platform built around facilitated participation in large-scale change programs. The recent feed is a sparse blog: ten entries spread across 20 months, with the most recent post in August 2025 — meaning ten months of public silence by the current date.
Element Call vs Howspace: editorial side-by-side
Element Call
5.0MEETINGS
With the protocol cutover behind it, Element Call is back to polishing the in-call experience.
◆ Current state
Element Call finished its architectural transition this summer: multi-SFU routing became the default in v0.21 and MatrixRTC legacy mode was removed in v0.25. The releases since are smaller: audio output defaults, delayed-leave timing tweaks, and now a quick audio menu and bell reaction sound in v0.28.
◆ Where it's heading
The team is moving from protocol plumbing to call ergonomics and embedding. Recent work targets audio controls, reactions, and the embedded component used inside Element Web, along with privacy hygiene such as redacting analytics IDs from bug reports. Release cadence has stretched to roughly two to three weeks per release candidate.
◆ Prediction
Expect more in-call controls and embedded-widget fixes in the next release candidates. A new breaking change looks unlikely while the post-cutover stack settles.
Howspace
0.0MEETINGS
Finnish change-management platform that went silent after a 2024 partnerships push.
◆ Current state
Howspace is a Finnish org-transformation and L&D platform built around facilitated participation in large-scale change programs. The recent feed is a sparse blog: ten entries spread across 20 months, with the most recent post in August 2025 — meaning ten months of public silence by the current date.
◆ Where it's heading
The 2024 cadence centered on a partnerships-as-distribution motion (Gofore, p4d, both consulting/transformation firms) layered with CEO-voice thought leadership on transformative involvement. After August 2025 the visible output stops; whatever cadence the team had has not resumed in the input window.
◆ Prediction
Either there is a relaunch coming and the blog gap is intentional quiet before a refresh, or the public marketing motion has effectively wound down. The next observable signal worth watching is whether any new partnership or product-side post lands at all in the next quarter.
Alternatives to Element Call and Howspace
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 Element Call or Howspace.
rtpengine
rtpengine pushes a runaway-recursion guard to four branches, then fixes the compile break.
Nextcloud Talk
Nextcloud Talk patches v22 and v23 while v25 stable sits five weeks past its last RC.
Kamailio
Kamailio's feed shows quiet, migration-free upkeep across two stable branches.
HOMER
HOMER 11 spends a release closing security holes in its query and auth surface
Fourwaves
Fourwaves is in a polish cycle: custom-domain fixes, accessibility rules and password UX.
See all Element Call alternatives → · See all Howspace alternatives →
Recent activity from Element Call and Howspace
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 11d agoElement CallQuick audio menu, bell reaction sound and redacted analytics IDs
- 26d agoElement Callv0.26.1-rc.1
- 1mo agoElement Callv0.26.0-rc.2
- 1mo agoElement Callv0.26.0-rc.1
- 1mo agoElement CallMatrixRTC legacy mode removed — all calls now run on the new protocol ⚡
- 2mo agoElement Callv0.24.0-rc.1
- 1y agoHowspaceBeyond completion rates: practical ways to measure learning impact in L&D
- 2y agoHowspaceEmotional leadership in change and Transformations at different organizational levels
- 2y agoHowspaceGofore joins forces with Howspace as a new strategic partner
- 2y agoHowspaceMake your decision-making more inclusive and effective
- 2y agoHowspaceHowspace included in Top Learning Management Systems for Businesses list for 2024 by Tekpon
- 2y agoHowspacep4d consulting firm enters strategic partnership with Howspace
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Element Call and Howspace?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Element Call is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 0.0), 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 Element Call better than Howspace?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Element Call is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 0.0), 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 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.
What are the best alternatives to Howspace?
Top Howspace alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Howspace alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/howspace for the full list with editorial commentary on each.