Ant Media Server
Ant Media Server 3.2 adds WHEP playback, Prometheus metrics and plugin installs from the dashboard.
Comparison · Meetings
Element Call vs Kurento
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Element Call and Kurento — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Shared themes:open source
Element Call vs Kurento: at a glance
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.
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.
Element Call vs Kurento: editorial side-by-side
Element Call
5.0MEETINGS
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.
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 Element Call 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 Element Call 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 Element Call alternatives → · See all Kurento alternatives →
Recent activity from Element Call and Kurento
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 20h agoKurentoKurento JavaScript client 7.3.1, no notes
- 14d agoElement Callv0.28.1-rc.3: experimental React component published to npm
- 15d agoElement Callv0.28.1-rc.2 backports fix for lost participant media
- 18d agoElement CallElement Call 0.28.1 rc adds remote-SFU fallback and LiveKit migration
- 1mo agoElement CallQuick audio menu, bell reaction sound and redacted analytics IDs
- 1mo agoElement Callv0.26.1-rc.1
- 2mo agoElement Callv0.26.0-rc.2
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Element Call and Kurento?
Both compete on the same themes — open source — within Meetings. Element Call 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 Element Call better than Kurento?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Element Call 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 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 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.