Element Call vs Nextcloud Talk
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
Nextcloud Talk
Chat, video calls and webinars integrated into Nextcloud
| Feature | Element Call | Nextcloud Talk |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Matrix & XMPP | Chat & Communication |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 984 | ★ 2,172 |
| First released | 2022 | 2018 |
| Replaces | Zoom, Google Meet | Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams |
Why pick each one
Choose Element Call if…
- Strong encryption
- Federated via Matrix
- No app install needed
Choose Nextcloud Talk if…
- Tight Nextcloud integration
- End-to-end encrypted calls
Frequently asked questions
Is Element Call or Nextcloud Talk better?
Nextcloud Talk 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 Nextcloud Talk free and open-source?
Yes. Element Call is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Nextcloud Talk under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Element Call and Nextcloud Talk with Docker?
Element Call: yes. Nextcloud Talk: yes.