Element Call vs Nextcloud Talk
Both are alternatives to Zoom. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Also searched as Nextcloud Talk 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.
Nextcloud Talk
Self-hosted calls, chat, and screen-sharing inside a suite you own.
Nextcloud Talk adds audio/video calls, group chat, webinars, and screen-sharing to Nextcloud, the open-source file-and-collaboration suite. Calls are peer-to-peer and end-to-end encrypted, and everything runs on your own Nextcloud server, so it is the strongest Zoom alternative for anyone who already self-hosts Nextcloud or wants meetings living next to their files and calendar rather than in a separate cloud.
Side by side
| Element Call | Nextcloud Talk | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 89 | 88 |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hostable | Yes | Yes |
| Local-first | Yes | Yes |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | Free / open-source (use element.io or self-host with a Matrix homeserver) | Free / open-source (self-host as part of Nextcloud) |
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
Nextcloud Talk
Strengths
- +End-to-end encrypted calls on your own server
- +Chat, calls, files, and calendar in one owned suite
- +No account or per-host fees
- +Public meeting links guests can join from a browser
Trade-offs
- −Best value only if you already run (or want to run) Nextcloud
- −Large group calls need a High Performance Backend (extra setup)
- −You operate the Nextcloud server yourself
Related alternative guides
Facts verified 2026-07-12. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.