HOMER
HOMER 11.0.x fixes a critical S3/DuckDB contention bug and adds call-level fields to MCP NL search
Comparison · Meetings
Element Call vs Lark
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Element Call and Lark — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Element Call vs Lark: at a glance
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.
What is Lark?
Lark concentrates monthly updates on Base — automation branching, mobile dashboards, layout reset — while the collaboration suite holds steady.
Lark's monthly update cadence is centered on Lark Base, the suite's no-code data tool. V7.65 adds advanced formatting and branch settings to Base automations; V7.64 makes dashboard charts interactive on the mobile app; V7.62 ships one-click reset for custom Base record detail page layouts; V7.63 introduces AHA PC Doctor as an in-app self-service troubleshooter. V7.60 polishes image highlights in comments and V7.59 expands message-sending options in Base automated workflows.
Element Call vs Lark: editorial side-by-side
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.
Lark
0.0MEETINGS
Lark concentrates monthly updates on Base — automation branching, mobile dashboards, layout reset — while the collaboration suite holds steady.
◆ Current state
Lark's monthly update cadence is centered on Lark Base, the suite's no-code data tool. V7.65 adds advanced formatting and branch settings to Base automations; V7.64 makes dashboard charts interactive on the mobile app; V7.62 ships one-click reset for custom Base record detail page layouts; V7.63 introduces AHA PC Doctor as an in-app self-service troubleshooter. V7.60 polishes image highlights in comments and V7.59 expands message-sending options in Base automated workflows.
◆ Where it's heading
Lark is investing heavily in Base's automation depth and admin ergonomics — branch settings, granular automation triggers, mobile-first dashboard interaction, layout management. Earlier versions in the index (V7.51 AI in Base, V7.55 new workspaces, V7.58 condition-group permissions) confirm Base as the consistent center of feature work. The broader collaboration suite (chat, docs, calendar) is held steady while Base evolves.
◆ Prediction
Expect more agentic AI inside Base (extending the V7.51 thread), continued mobile parity with desktop dashboards, and deeper automation features — multi-step branching with conditions, more third-party connectors. Self-service support (PC Doctor) is likely to expand to mobile and Mac.
Alternatives to Element Call and Lark
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 Lark.
Restream
Restream deepening X integration and adding Slack as a live streaming destination
JW Player
JW Player expands ad analytics and vertical video while hardening mobile SDKs
Fourwaves
Fourwaves replaces per-event pricing with an annual submission model and lets organizers connect custom domains to event websites.
Nextcloud Talk Desktop
Nextcloud Talk Desktop 2.3.2 ships Talk v25 stable with E2EE call audio fix
BigBlueButton
BigBlueButton 4.0 enters release candidate with LiveKit fully replacing the legacy audio stack.
See all Element Call alternatives → · See all Lark alternatives →
Recent activity from Element Call and Lark
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 5d agoElement Callv0.26.1-rc.1
- 17d agoElement Callv0.26.0-rc.2
- 19d agoElement Callv0.26.0-rc.1
- 29d agoElement CallMatrixRTC legacy mode removed — all calls now run on the new protocol ⚡
- 1mo agoElement Callv0.24.0-rc.1
- 2mo agoElement Callv0.23.0-rc.1
- 5mo agoLark• V7.65 More advanced formatting and branch settings for Base automations!
- 6mo agoLark• V7.64 Interact with dashboard charts on the mobile app!
- 6mo agoLark• V7.62 Reset layout for custom Base record details pages in one click
- 6mo agoLark• V7.63 AHA PC Doctor is now available to help you resolve common issues easily!
- 8mo agoLark• V7.60 Eliminate confusion with image highlights in comments!
- 8mo agoLark• V7.59 More advanced options for sending messages using automated workflows in Base
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Element Call and Lark?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Element Call is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 0.0), with 1 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 Lark?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Element Call is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 0.0), with 1 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 Lark?
Top Lark alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Lark alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/lark for the full list with editorial commentary on each.