Element Call vs BigBlueButton
Both are alternatives to Zoom. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Also searched as BigBlueButton vs Element Call — same comparison, one verdict.
Element Call
Decentralized, end-to-end encrypted calls on the Matrix network.
Element Call is a native Matrix video-conferencing app: end-to-end encrypted by default, federated across Matrix homeservers, and free to use or self-host. It is the best fit for teams that want secure, decentralized calls with no single company controlling the infrastructure — calls can even happen between users on different homeservers.
BigBlueButton
Open-source virtual classroom and web conferencing.
BigBlueButton is an open-source web-conferencing system built for online teaching, with slides, whiteboard, breakout rooms, and polls. It is the strongest fit when the priority is education and interactive sessions rather than casual calls.
Side by side
| Element Call | BigBlueButton | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 89 | 84 |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hostable | Yes | Yes |
| Local-first | Yes | No |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | LGPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | Free / open-source (use element.io or self-host with a Matrix homeserver) | Free / open-source (self-host) |
Element Call edges it on the Sovereignty Score, but the right pick depends on the trade-offs below.
Element Call
Strengths
- +End-to-end encrypted and decentralized (Matrix + LiveKit)
- +Federated — call across different homeservers
- +Use free online or self-host for full control
- +No account lock-in to a single provider
Trade-offs
- −Self-hosting means running a Matrix homeserver and LiveKit backend
- −Younger and less turnkey than Jitsi for large calls
- −Ecosystem is smaller than mainstream conferencing tools
BigBlueButton
Strengths
- +Purpose-built for teaching
- +Whiteboard, breakouts, polls
- +Self-hostable
Trade-offs
- −Heavier to install and run
- −Overkill for simple calls
Related alternative guides
Facts verified 2026-07-12. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.