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Comparison · Meetings
Element Call vs Nextcloud Talk
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Element Call and Nextcloud Talk — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Element Call vs Nextcloud Talk: 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 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.
Element Call vs Nextcloud Talk: 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.
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 Element Call 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 Element Call 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 Element Call alternatives → · See all Nextcloud Talk alternatives →
Recent activity from Element Call 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
- 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
- 29d agoNextcloud Talkv23.0.12: SIP call fix, rate limiting, Matterbridge hardening
- 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 Nextcloud Talk?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Element Call and Nextcloud Talk are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 5.0 vs 5.0, 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 Element Call better than Nextcloud Talk?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Element Call and Nextcloud Talk are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 5.0 vs 5.0, 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 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 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.