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Comparison · Meetings

Element Call vs Telegram

A side-by-side editorial comparison of Element Call and Telegram — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

Element Call vs Telegram: at a glance

FeatureElement CallTelegram
SectorMeetingsMeetings, Collab
Velocity score5.00.0
Sparks · 30d00
Top themesvideo calls, matrix, livekit, embeddingbot-platform, ai-moderation, communities, messaging-ui
Last editorial update2d ago3h ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is Element Call?

Element Call publishes an experimental React component that renders in the host page, not an iframe.

Element Call ships release candidates every few weeks, and the 0.28.1 line moved fast this week. rc.3 starts publishing @element-hq/element-call-component to npm, an experimental way to render calls in a host page instead of an iframe. rc.2 backports fixes for media from one participant being lost after another joins. rc.1 added remote-SFU fallback and LiveKit transport migration.

Read the full Element Call trajectory →

What is Telegram?

Telegram's agent platform adds AI group admins, Communities and a rich text editor.

Telegram keeps shipping large bundled updates every four to eight weeks. Since the May release of guest AI bots and bot-to-bot chats, it has added AI Guardians that screen new group members, smartwatch apps, a rich text editor that can also generate text, Communities linking groups, channels and bots, and Welcome Messages with buttons inside messages.

Read the full Telegram trajectory →

Element Call vs Telegram: editorial side-by-side

E
Element Call
MEETINGS
5.0

Element Call publishes an experimental React component that renders in the host page, not an iframe.

◆ Current state

Element Call ships release candidates every few weeks, and the 0.28.1 line moved fast this week. rc.3 starts publishing @element-hq/element-call-component to npm, an experimental way to render calls in a host page instead of an iframe. rc.2 backports fixes for media from one participant being lost after another joins. rc.1 added remote-SFU fallback and LiveKit transport migration.

◆ Where it's heading

After finishing the MatrixRTC protocol cutover in August, the team is working on the transport layer and on how Element Call gets embedded. A React component alongside the widget, Android and SwiftPM packages, plus the MatrixRTC SDK from rc.1, suggests the calling stack is meant to be reused in other apps.

◆ Prediction

Expect a 0.28.1 final soon after these quick candidates; how long the React component stays experimental isn't clear from the entries.

Telegram logo
Telegram
MEETINGSCOLLAB
0.0

Telegram's agent platform adds AI group admins, Communities and a rich text editor.

◆ Current state

Telegram keeps shipping large bundled updates every four to eight weeks. Since the May release of guest AI bots and bot-to-bot chats, it has added AI Guardians that screen new group members, smartwatch apps, a rich text editor that can also generate text, Communities linking groups, channels and bots, and Welcome Messages with buttons inside messages.

◆ Where it's heading

The bot platform is still the direction, and recent updates give bots more formal roles. AI Guardians put automated admins in charge of group entry, rich text for bots improves their output, and Communities give bots a place alongside groups and channels. Consumer polish still ships in the same bundles.

◆ Prediction

Expect the next bundle to extend automated group moderation or bot permissions. Paid access for guest AI bots is plausible, but no entry shows it yet.

Alternatives to Element Call and Telegram

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 Telegram.

See all Element Call alternatives → · See all Telegram alternatives →

Recent activity from Element Call and Telegram

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 2d agoElement Callv0.28.1-rc.3: experimental React component published to npm
  2. 3d agoElement Callv0.28.1-rc.2 backports fix for lost participant media
  3. 5d agoElement CallElement Call 0.28.1 rc adds remote-SFU fallback and LiveKit migration
  4. 26d agoElement CallQuick audio menu, bell reaction sound and redacted analytics IDs
  5. 1mo agoElement Callv0.26.1-rc.1
  6. 1mo agoElement Callv0.26.0-rc.2
  7. 2mo agoTelegramWelcome Messages, Buttons in Messages and Signed Gifts
  8. 3mo agoTelegramRich Text Editor, Communities, Ephemeral Messages in Groups, 350 Million GIFs
  9. 4mo agoTelegramSmartwatch Apps, Rich Text for Bots, AI Guardians for Groups, and Much More
  10. 5mo agoTelegramGuest AI Bots, Bot-to-Bot Chats, Chat Automation, Custom AI Styles, 100M+ Emoji & Sticker Search and Much More ⚡
  11. 7mo agoTelegramAI Editor, Mighty Polls, Live Photos, Bots Managed by Bots, and More
  12. 7mo agoTelegramAI Editor, Mighty Polls, Live Photos, Bots Managed by Bots, and More

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Element Call and Telegram?

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 Telegram?

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 Telegram?

Top Telegram alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Telegram alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/telegram for the full list with editorial commentary on each.