Element Call vs Linphone
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Element Call
Encrypted group video calls on Matrix
VS
Linphone
Open-source SIP voice, video, and messaging client
| Feature | Element Call | Linphone |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Chat & Communication |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 984 | ★ 500 |
| First released | 2022 | 2001 |
| Replaces | Zoom, Google Meet | Skype, Zoom |
Why pick each one
Choose Element Call if…
- Strong encryption
- Federated via Matrix
- No app install needed
Choose Linphone if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Written in C++
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Element Call or Linphone better?
Neither is universally better. Element Call has the larger community, while Linphone is simpler to set up (medium difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Element Call and Linphone free and open-source?
Yes. Element Call is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Linphone under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Element Call and Linphone with Docker?
Element Call: yes. Linphone: check the project docs for container support.