Element Call vs mautrix-whatsapp
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted matrix & xmpp options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Element Call
Encrypted group video calls on Matrix
VS
mautrix-whatsapp
Matrix-WhatsApp puppeting bridge
| Feature | Element Call | mautrix-whatsapp |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Matrix & XMPP |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 984 | ★ 1,855 |
| First released | 2022 | 2019 |
| Replaces | Zoom, Google Meet | WhatsApp official client |
Why pick each one
Choose Element Call if…
- Strong encryption
- Federated via Matrix
- No app install needed
Choose mautrix-whatsapp if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (1.9k GitHub stars)
- Written in Go
Frequently asked questions
Is Element Call or mautrix-whatsapp better?
mautrix-whatsapp is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Element Call if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Element Call and mautrix-whatsapp free and open-source?
Yes. Element Call is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and mautrix-whatsapp under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Element Call and mautrix-whatsapp with Docker?
Element Call: yes. mautrix-whatsapp: yes.