It really is no different than discord. You create an account, download the client, log in and that’s that. You don’t have to self host it or use any instance that isn’t the main instance. Just go to matrix.org and sign up.

In element there’s a button on top of the chat. I press that and it’s calling.

It does it well, it’s just clunky. It works perfectly fine, and I recommend it over discord ang day of the week. Except Tuesdays. Tuesdays I recommend IRC.

Matrix can literally do everything you just mentioned. It’s clunky, but it works.