Ant Media Server
Ant Media Server 3.2 adds WHEP playback, Prometheus metrics and plugin installs from the dashboard.
Comparison · Meetings
Gather vs Kurento
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Gather and Kurento — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Gather vs Kurento: at a glance
What is Gather?
Gather is shipping vibes, not productivity wins.
Recent releases are entirely cosmetic and ambient — confetti reactions, dance emotes, seasonal object packs for Easter and Passover, and a 22-color floor palette. No platform, integration, or collaboration feature has shipped in the visible window. Pace is steady but substance is thin.
What is Kurento?
Kurento's JavaScript client gets a 7.3.1 point release with no notes.
Kurento is an open-source WebRTC media server, and the only entry in this feed is kurento-client-js 7.3.1, tagged on November 13. The release notes are a single line naming the package and version.
Gather vs Kurento: editorial side-by-side
Gather
2.5MEETINGSCOLLAB
Gather is shipping vibes, not productivity wins.
◆ Current state
Recent releases are entirely cosmetic and ambient — confetti reactions, dance emotes, seasonal object packs for Easter and Passover, and a 22-color floor palette. No platform, integration, or collaboration feature has shipped in the visible window. Pace is steady but substance is thin.
◆ Where it's heading
Gather is reinforcing its identity as a fun virtual office rather than a serious meeting tool. Continued investment in expressive interactions and decorative content points to retention via novelty over feature depth. The product is leaning into character, not capability.
◆ Prediction
Expect more seasonal drops and cosmetic customization. A summer-themed pack and additional emote-style interactions are the obvious next moves.
Kurento
2.5MEETINGS
Kurento's JavaScript client gets a 7.3.1 point release with no notes.
◆ Current state
Kurento is an open-source WebRTC media server, and the only entry in this feed is kurento-client-js 7.3.1, tagged on November 13. The release notes are a single line naming the package and version.
◆ Where it's heading
With one notes-free client tag on record, the feed shows that the 7.x JavaScript client is still maintained but not what is changing in it.
◆ Prediction
It is unclear from one release what comes next; more tags are needed before a direction is visible.
Alternatives to Gather and Kurento
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 Gather or Kurento.
3CX
3CX sets the end of 2026 to switch off its own transcription service.
Eventcombo
Eventcombo adds webinar demo checklists to its 2027 buyer guides.
Fourwaves
Fourwaves doubles Free plan submissions to 50 and reworks reviewer assignment.
JW Player
JW Player's Android SDK 4.28 adds live Chromecast and new background audio controls.
Nextcloud Talk
Nextcloud Talk v23.0.14 fixes Firefox video and keeps v25 waiting at RC3.
See all Gather alternatives → · See all Kurento alternatives →
Recent activity from Gather and Kurento
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 21h agoKurentoKurento JavaScript client 7.3.1, no notes
- 6mo agoGatherConfetti reactions and an F-key shortcut
- 6mo agoGatherNew floor colors & patterns
- 7mo agoGatherEaster object pack
- 7mo agoGatherEaster object pack
- 7mo agoGatherEaster object pack
- 7mo agoGatherChag Sameach! New Passover objects
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Gather and Kurento?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Gather and Kurento are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 2.5 vs 2.5, 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 Gather better than Kurento?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Gather and Kurento are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 2.5 vs 2.5, 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 Gather?
Top Gather alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Gather alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/gather for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to Kurento?
Top Kurento alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Kurento alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/kurento for the full list with editorial commentary on each.