Ant Media Server
Ant Media Server 3.2 adds WHEP playback, Prometheus metrics and plugin installs from the dashboard.
Comparison · Meetings
BigBlueButton vs Kurento
A side-by-side editorial comparison of BigBlueButton and Kurento — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
BigBlueButton vs Kurento: at a glance
What is BigBlueButton?
BigBlueButton 4.0 rc.5 drops Etherpad and makes BlockNote the only notes editor.
BigBlueButton 4.0.0-rc.5 removes Etherpad, so upgrading uninstalls bbb-etherpad and bbb-pads and leaves BlockNote as the only shared-notes editor. It also moves Node components to Node.js 24, switches the client to the 1.0 pre-release plugin SDK, and redesigns the poll and quiz panels. It follows two security-only candidates, and the project still recommends 3.0.x for production.
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.
BigBlueButton vs Kurento: editorial side-by-side
BigBlueButton
5.0MEETINGS
BigBlueButton 4.0 rc.5 drops Etherpad and makes BlockNote the only notes editor.
◆ Current state
BigBlueButton 4.0.0-rc.5 removes Etherpad, so upgrading uninstalls bbb-etherpad and bbb-pads and leaves BlockNote as the only shared-notes editor. It also moves Node components to Node.js 24, switches the client to the 1.0 pre-release plugin SDK, and redesigns the poll and quiz panels. It follows two security-only candidates, and the project still recommends 3.0.x for production.
◆ Where it's heading
The 4.0 cycle is removing legacy components one by one: SIP.js audio went in beta.4, and Etherpad goes now. Between the removals, security-only candidates harden the new LiveKit audio and BlockNote notes surfaces. The plugin SDK reaching a 1.0 pre-release suggests the extension API is being frozen for GA.
◆ Prediction
Expect at least one more candidate to settle the plugin SDK 1.0 change and Etherpad removal before 4.0.0 GA. The pace of security advisories makes the exact timing unclear.
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 BigBlueButton 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 BigBlueButton 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 BigBlueButton alternatives → · See all Kurento alternatives →
Recent activity from BigBlueButton and Kurento
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 20h agoKurentoKurento JavaScript client 7.3.1, no notes
- 1mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.5 removes Etherpad and moves to Node.js 24
- 1mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.4 patches audio and notes security flaws
- 2mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.3 hardens LiveKit reconnection
- 2mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.2 fixes cross-meeting security flaws
- 2mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 rc.1 completes the LiveKit audio migration ⚡
- 3mo agoBigBlueButtonBigBlueButton 4.0 beta.5 overhauls mobile layout
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BigBlueButton and Kurento?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. BigBlueButton 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 BigBlueButton better than Kurento?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. BigBlueButton 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 BigBlueButton?
Top BigBlueButton alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "BigBlueButton alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/bigbluebutton 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.