Ant Media Server
Ant Media Server 3.2 adds WHEP playback, Prometheus metrics and plugin installs from the dashboard.
Comparison · Meetings
Gather vs Nextcloud Talk
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Gather and Nextcloud Talk — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Gather vs Nextcloud Talk: 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 Nextcloud Talk?
Nextcloud Talk v23.0.14 fixes Firefox video and keeps v25 waiting at RC3.
Nextcloud Talk keeps patching its supported branches. On November 5 four branches shipped together with share-permission fixes and password protection for instant meetings; on November 12 v23.0.14 added an option for external call services to set the participant list and fixed a Firefox simulcast race and read-marker checks. The v25 line has not moved past RC3 since September 10.
Gather vs Nextcloud Talk: 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.
Nextcloud Talk
5.0MEETINGS
Nextcloud Talk v23.0.14 fixes Firefox video and keeps v25 waiting at RC3.
◆ Current state
Nextcloud Talk keeps patching its supported branches. On November 5 four branches shipped together with share-permission fixes and password protection for instant meetings; on November 12 v23.0.14 added an option for external call services to set the participant list and fixed a Firefox simulcast race and read-marker checks. The v25 line has not moved past RC3 since September 10.
◆ Where it's heading
Effort is going into security fixes across every supported branch rather than into shipping v25. The two-month gap since RC3 is the main open question in this feed.
◆ Prediction
Expect further backported fixes across v20 to v23; whether v25.0.0 ships soon is unclear from the entries.
Alternatives to Gather and Nextcloud Talk
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 Nextcloud Talk.
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.
Kurento
Kurento's JavaScript client gets a 7.3.1 point release with no notes.
See all Gather alternatives → · See all Nextcloud Talk alternatives →
Recent activity from Gather and Nextcloud Talk
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 1d agoNextcloud TalkTalk v23.0.14 fixes Firefox simulcast, external call participants
- 8d agoNextcloud TalkTalk v22.0.20 fixes share permissions and Matterbridge regression
- 8d agoNextcloud TalkTalk v23.0.13 adds password to instant meetings, fixes sharing
- 8d agoNextcloud TalkTalk v21.1.12 fixes SIP bridge auth and share permissions
- 8d agoNextcloud TalkTalk v20.1.12 stops federation when disabled, fixes sharing
- 29d agoNextcloud Talkv23.0.12: SIP call fix, rate limiting, Matterbridge hardening
- 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 Nextcloud Talk?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Nextcloud Talk is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 2.5), 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 Gather better than Nextcloud Talk?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Nextcloud Talk is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 2.5), 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 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 Nextcloud Talk?
Top Nextcloud Talk alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Nextcloud Talk alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/nextcloud-talk for the full list with editorial commentary on each.