BigBlueButton vs Element
Both BigBlueButton and Element are self-hosted alternatives to Google Meet, Skype, Webex and Zoom.
Side by side
| Field | BigBlueButton | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Supports real-time sharing of audio, video, slides (with whiteboard controls), chat, and the screen. Instructors can engage remote students with polling, emojis, and breakout rooms. | Fully-featured Matrix client for Web, iOS & Android. |
| GitHub stars | 9,262 | 13,633 |
| License | LGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Platforms | Java | Nodejs |
| Latest release | v4.0.1, 29 October 2026 | v1.12.33, 27 October 2026 |
| Repository activity | 30 October 2026 | 30 October 2026 |
| Health | Active | Active |
| Categories | Communication - Video Conferencing | Communication - Custom Communication Systems |
| Website | https://bigbluebutton.org/ | https://element.io |
| Source code | https://github.com/bigbluebutton/bigbluebutton | https://github.com/element-hq/element-web |
Where the records differ
Computed from the two records above: a line appears only where the dataset states a figure, a date or a set relation, and no line recommends one application over the other.
- Element has more GitHub stars in the dataset, 13,633 against 9,262.
- Both repositories last recorded activity on 30 October 2026.
- BigBlueButton has the newer release on record: v4.0.1, 29 October 2026, against v1.12.33, 27 October 2026.
- Licenses differ: BigBlueButton is listed under LGPL-3.0; Element under Apache-2.0.
- Platforms differ: BigBlueButton lists Java; Element lists Nodejs.
- BigBlueButton is filed under Communication - Video Conferencing; Element is filed under Communication - Custom Communication Systems.