Top 20 Open Source Zoom Alternatives

Professional communication has dramatically changed in the last few years, with online meetings now taking the status quo of daily business activities. For this reason, since Zoom increasingly gained popularity in the wake of the global pandemic, most people and companies are now seeking alternatives to Zoom that can be more flexible in terms of options related to security, privacy, and much more cost-effective.

Probably one of the most interesting alternatives to proprietary video conferencing platforms has actually developed into open-source ones. Not only are these free, but with open source, transparency, customization, and in many cases, better security features form a very appealing package. This article will look at 20 different open-source alternatives to Zoom.

Why consider Open Source alternatives to Zoom?

Open-source is a paradigm in the digital world of transparency and open collaboration empowering users, free source code offers use, modification, and distribution, and most open source projects ensure innovation, security, and customization in various domains such as video conferencing solutions.

• Cost-effectiveness: Most of the alternative open-source solutions are free or extremely cheap compared to the paid plans by Zoom. This can result in lots of savings, particularly for small businesses and learning or non-profit institutions. The power features are often accessible via open-source solutions free or with no premium price that is associated with commercial solutions.
• Customization and Flexibility: Being flexible by nature, open source platforms allow customization to an extent not achievable by any other form of software. From simple branding to feature modification, integration with existing systems, or adapting the workflow-specific setup, such a level of customization can be a real treasure for businesses exploring to fulfill their specific needs.
• Enhanced Privacy and Security: The source code can be verified and improved by the users and independent security experts to ensure higher privacy and security for those who are granted access. The transparency seems to bring vulnerabilities into sharper focus and drives towards quicker fixes. Most open-source alternatives are prioritizing end-to-end encryption as well as data privacy. Users will have better control over sensitive information.
• Community-driven Development and Support: They are community-driven development and support. Open source projects have a worldwide community of developers and users that help contribute to constant updates, bug fixing, and new features in general. Community collaborative manner often leads to fast innovation and problem-solving, and often, the community itself offers new support knowledge as well.
• Reduce Vendor Lock-in: On most occasions, open source solutions respect open standards, thus encouraging interoperability and avoiding dependencies on one vendor. This might make it easier to switch between tools or integrate multiple solutions. One also cannot be locked in against sudden changes in a vendor's policies or prices.
• Scalability and Performance: Most open-source alternatives are developed with scalability in mind, meaning that the scaling of user numbers by an organization does not require a significantly increased expense. Some can be optimized for specific hardware or network conditions and thereby provide better performance than a generic commercial product.
• Educational and Training Opportunities: Using open source software is an area through which it becomes possible for both IT staff and interested users to learn about the technologies underlying open source. This can be particularly useful for educational institutions or organizations looking to develop internal expertise.
• Alignment with Ethical and Philosophical Principles: For some organizations, using open source software is a matter of alignment with key values around transparency, collaboration, and community contribution. It is seen as supporting a more open and accessible technological ecosystem.
• Compliance and Data Sovereignty: On-premise or geography-specific open-source solutions can help comply with data residency rules. This saves organizations money and gives them full control over their communication data.
• Long-term Sustainability: The open-source software is much less dependent on commercial viability or the decision made by any individual organization. The users, through the community, can continue to develop the software even if the original developers lose interest in it.

It is only when factors such as these come into play that a decision can be made, by any organization, as to whether an open-source alternative to Zoom might ultimately better suit their needs, values, and long-term strategic goals.

Features to look for in an Open Source Zoom Alternative

Open-source video conferencing provides a variety of features to meet most of the users' different needs. Evaluating such alternatives raises the key features that can be used to make your virtual experience better when it comes to cooperation: 

• Video and audio quality: The best tools provide high-definition video, clear audio, and adaptive quality based on an internet connection. Some solutions offer noise cancellation and echo reduction for better audio clarity.
• Screen Sharing and Collaboration Tool: Easy screen sharing, a virtual whiteboard, real-time document editing, and annotation tools help increase team productivity.
• End-to-end encryption: Choose a platform that holds security seriously, backing important discussions and interactions with end-to-end encryption.
• User-friendly interface: This will ensure that the application or tool is user-friendly and has an intuitive interface such that not much training would be required. Some of its notable features would include one-click meeting joining capabilities and simple procedures for conducting a meeting.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Such a solution should have interoperability on different devices as well as different operating systems so that desktop computers, smartphone, and tablets support these applications based on a customer's choice.
• Integration capabilities: Look for those tools that can integrate with others in your workflow, including other tools for scheduling meetings or managing projects, learning management systems for schools, or otherwise.
• Scalability: Scalability is one thing where the solution chosen should have a good scale and ability to add many concurrent users without sacrificing the performance or cost.
• Customization: Seek services which allow you to brand and customise features with your organisation's identity to specific demands and needs.
• Recording and Transcription: Find solutions that let you record meetings straight from them and automatically transcribe the recording to improve productivity and accessibility right after a meeting.
• Break-out rooms: This feature which will let you split larger meetings into smaller discussion groups is indispensable for workshops, training sessions, or team building activities.
• Host controls: The service should be able to provide robust host management, such as the ability to mute participants, limit or withdraw permission to share their screens, and eject abusive attendees.
• Accessibility features: The tool should be able to provide features like closed captioning, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility to ensure equal access.
• Mobile support: Seek products that come with fully featured mobile applications that enable participants to join and actively contribute to a meeting from their smartphones or tablets.
• Low-bandwidth modes: Solution which optimizes performance for those who have a very slow internet connectivity. This allows the potential to be more participatory.
• Virtual backgrounds and video filters: It gives the professional look to home-based meetings and privacy in multiple settings.

You will be able to select the best open-source video conferencing tool for your specific needs within your organization, thereby enriching your virtual collaboration experience, considering these features.

Top 20 Open Source alternatives to Zoom

These are the best Top 20 Open Source alternatives to Zoom: Jitsi Meet,  BigBlueButton, Apache OpenMeetings, Jami, Nextcloud Talk, Spreed, Hubzilla, Element (formerly Riot.im), Kopano Meet, Linphone, Wire, Rocket.Chat, Jangouts, Galene, MediaSoup, OpenVidu, LiveKit, Kurento, FreeSWITCH, and MiroTalk. 

1. Jitsi Meet
2. BigBlueButton
3. Apache OpenMeetings
4. Jami
5. Nextcloud Talk
6. Spreed
7. Hubzilla
8. Element (formerly Riot.im)
9. Kopano Meet
10. Linphone
11. Wire
12. Rocket.Chat
13. Jangouts
14. Galene
15. MediaSoup
16. OpenVidu
17. LiveKit
18. Kurento
19. FreeSWITCH
20. MiroTalk

Let’s explore each alternative one by one.

Jitsi Meet

Jitsi Meet is a free, open-source web video conferencing service that emphasizes on ease and security.

Features:

• Video and audio conferencing
• Screen sharing and text chat
• Maximum 100 participants in the meeting
• Several in-built security aspects

Limitations:

• Always slows down when too many are in a conference
• Some of the features don't support all browsers
• Not built with heavy scheduling or management capabilities

Pricing

Free and open-source. Self-hosting options are available.

BigBlueButton

It is an open-source web conferencing system mainly built for online learning but available for business requirements as well.

Features:

• Multi-user whiteboard
• Breakout room facilities
• Shared notes and polling tools
• Capable screen sharing
• Compatible with Learning Management Systems

Limitations:

• Interface is really old compared to now developed alternatives
• Resource-intensive, tends to affect performance on lesser power systems
• Requires considerable technical knowledge to set up initially

Pricing

Free to use and modify. Users must factor in hosting and maintenance costs if self-hosting.

Apache OpenMeetings

Apache OpenMeetings is free, open-source software that allows web conferencing for a wide variety of contexts.

Features:

• Audio and video conferencing
• Instant messaging and whiteboard tools
• Calendar integration
• Screen sharing and document conversion

Limitations:

• Setup process complicated and not easy for non-tech users
• User interface less intuitive than the commercial package
• Additional plugins are sometimes needed to have full functionality with some browsers

Pricing

Free under the Apache License(which is also free). Users must consider hosting and maintenance costs if self-hosting.

Jami

Jami is a decentralized and privacy-focused communication network that provides video conference functionality.

Features:

• End-to-end encryption
• File sharing
• Screen sharing
• Multi-platform
• Decentralized architecture for privacy

Limitations:

• In the decentralized nature connection becomes unstable
• Has fewer options to get integrations than centralized platforms
• More effort on users' end to manage contact lists and connections

Pricing

Free and open-source, with no centralized services to pay for.

Nextcloud Talk

This is a self-hosted video conferencing solution developed and integrated into the Nextcloud ecosystem.

Features:

• Video call one to one
• Video calls for groups
• Share screens and also have a mobile version.
• Text chat functionality. Deeper integration with other Nextcloud services

Limitations:

• Video quality may vary with the capabilities of the self-hosted server
• Features are limited to dedicated video conferencing tools
• Needs the Nextcloud infrastructure and is not suitable for all users

Pricing

Free as part of the Nextcloud platform. Users must consider hosting costs and optional paid support.

Spreed

Spreed is an open-source, WebRTC-based video conferencing tool which focuses on simplicity.

Features:

• HD Video and Audio calls
• Screen sharing and message exchange
• Room-bound meeting format
• Easily customizable

Limitations:

• Not so much on the advance features big organizations may require
• A little too minimalist on UI for some
• It does not have that much as options for recording and replaying of meetings

Pricing

Free and open-source. Users must consider hosting and potential development costs.

Hubzilla

It is a decentralized video conferencing service that offers video calling functionalities besides including social networking elements.

Features:

• Video call functionality
• Good privacy controls
• Content sharing
• Interoperability across platforms

Limitations:

• Video conferencing ability - Lacking since it's not the main base and the focus of this service
• Decentralized, making user discovery considerably complexed
• The interface is too overwhelming because of its multiple functionalities present

Pricing

Free and open-source. Users can self-host or join existing hubs.

Element (formerly Riot.im)

Element is a decentralized communication tool built on the Matrix protocol, offering video conferencing capabilities.

Features:

• End-to-end encryption for messaging and video calls
• File sharing feature
• Supports cross-platform functionality
• Can work well with other Matrix-based services

Limitations:

• Video features are not as functional or as elaborate as dedicated conferencing tools
• It is much more complicated to set up since it is decentralized
• The user experience will be different based on what server was chosen

Pricing

Free and open-source. Users must consider self-hosting or managed hosting costs.

Kopano Meet

Kopano Meet is one of video conferencing tools within the category of the large group called kopano collaboration suite.

Features:

• Kopano meet offers high-definition video and audio conferencing
• Video and audio conferencing
• Text chat
• Integration with other better-known and established Kopano tools

Limitations:

• Lacks some functionalities when used standalone
• Smaller user base results in less rapid development of new features
• It requires proper knowledge of how the other tools in the kopano work in order to make a good use of this product

Pricing

Free and open-source, typically used within the Kopano suite which may have associated costs.

Linphone

Linphone is an open-source VoIP and video conferencing application using the SIP protocol.

Features:

• Voice and video calls
• Messaging and file transfers
• Multi-platform compatibility
• Uses end-to-end encryption

Limitations:

• Most users do not know or are unaware of the focus on SIP protocol
• Does not look as contemporary as some newer options
• Advanced features require a SIP server to be set up

Pricing

Free and open-source. Potential costs for SIP services if required.

Wire

Wire is an open-source, end-to-end encrypted messaging and video conferencing application.

Features:

• Calls and messages are end-to-end encrypted
• Screen and file can be shared
• Self-destructing message option
• Guest room can be made available to external users

Limitations:

• Video quality gets poor during large group calls
• Advanced features are available only for paid plans
• Compared to the larger platforms, it has much fewer third-party integration

Pricing

Free personal version available. Business plans start from €4/user/month.

Rocket.Chat

Rocket.Chat  is a video conferencing platform for team collaboration.

Limitations:

• Video call for one-to-one interaction
• Share screens
• Share file and channel-based messaging
• Wide third-party integrations

Limitations:

• Group video calls do not support advanced features compared to dedicated solutions
• Settings up, managing the solution is painful
• Resource consumption on the server side has to be high to work properly

Pricing

Free Community Edition available. Paid plans start from $3/user/month.

Jangouts

Jangouts is one of the simple WebRTC-based video conferencing solutions.

Features:

• Multi-party video conferencing
• Screen sharing ability
• Option of text chat
• Conducts room-based meetings

Limitations:

• Supports advanced features that include virtual background and breakout rooms 
• The user interface is quite complex
• Experiences stability issues if conferences are large

Pricing

Free and open-source. Users need to consider hosting costs.

Galene

Galene is a lightweight video conferencing server with a focus on simplicity and performance.

Features:

• Group video calls
• Share application windows functionality
• Text chat available
• Support for WebRTC
• Meeting moderation tools

Limitations:

• Does not support some of the more advanced features of a more complex solution
• Needs extreme technical support for maintenance and setup
• Has less polished UI as compared to other commercial options

Pricing

Free and open-source. Users must consider hosting and maintenance costs.

MediaSoup

MediaSoup - a free, WebRTC media server, with SDKs to make any web application, as customized as video conferencing applications.

Features:

• Scalable multi-party applications
• Supports simulcast and SVC
• Streaming capability recording
• Customizable

Limitations:

• Only implemented after some considerable development
• The developers require a steep learning curve
• It does not have a ready-to-use interface. The users have to develop a custom frontend

Pricing

Free and open-source. Users must consider development and hosting costs.

OpenVidu

OpenVidu is a streamlined platform for video conferencing application development.

Features:

• Simple integration for already developed applications
• Screen and recording
• Broadcasting feature
• Multi-language SDK

Limitations:

• Takes long time to be complete on development
• Even too much documentation is required for the beginners
• It is very hard to customize without full knowledge of WebRTC

Pricing

Free Community Edition available. Pro Edition is priced based on usage.

LiveKit

LiveKit is an entirely open-source software for the development of real-time audio and video applications based on WebRTC.

Features:

• Scale to any size through a cloud-native architecture
• Low-latency audio and video streaming
• Built-in support for SFU
• Support for SDK of multiple platforms - Web, iOS, Android

Limitations:

• Requires extreme technical knowhow to setup and deploy
• Limited out-of-the-box UI components
• Need additional development for advanced features

Pricing 

Free and open-source. Users need to consider hosting and potential development costs.

Kurento

Kurento is a WebRTC media server with a suite of client APIs for advanced video applications.

Features:

• Capable of media processing
• Record and playback media streams
• Support for group communications
• Transcoding and mixing functionalities

Limitations:

• Requires significant development work to create a comprehensive solution
• Has a very steep learning curve even for experienced developers
• Complicated documentation that is hard to navigate

Pricing

Free and open-source. Users must factor in development and hosting costs.

FreeSWITCH

FreeSWITCH is a cross-platform open-source telephony platform with video capabilities.

Features:

• Support multiple protocols
• Advanced call flow/routing
• Ability to include voicemail and conferencing
• Extensive architecture design

Limitations:

• Setup and configuration are often very cumbersome
• Primarily VoIP but has video features as a secondary capability
• System setup and maintenance require high technical expertise

Pricing

Free and open-source. Users need to consider hosting and development costs.

MiroTalk

Free open source video conferencing by WebRTC. Simple and Private.

Features:

• Peer-to-peer video calls, no signing up needed
• Screen and file sharing
• Room passwords allowed
• Customizable user interface
• Supports Mobile device

Limitations:

• Fewer participants allowed to connect compared to the main giants
• No virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms like many of the more heavy hitter applications
• Completely at the mercy of speed of connection of the members when conducting calls

Pricing

MiroTalk is completely free and open-source. Users can self-host the platform, with associated hosting costs being the only expense.

Comparison of Zoom open source alternatives

While Zoom remains the go-to video conferencing application, open source solutions present some unique advantages in particular scenarios. In the case of your organization having the priority of customizability, data privacy, or cost-effectiveness, you will want to explore the open source alternative options. Everything from a friendly platform like Jitsi Meet to advanced Kurento solutions caters to a wide technical bandwidth and particular needs.

Open source alternatives may be particularly valuable if:

• You need total control over your data and infrastructure
• Your budget constraints demand a more cost-effective solution
• You wish to have it customized to meet the specific needs of an organization
• Transparency in code and security is extremely important
• You do not want vendor lock-in and would prefer solutions that are interoperable

Carefully evaluate your needs against the features and the limitations of open source options to decide between adopting alternative solutions and staying with commercial solutions like Zoom. Remember, only you know which choice best fits your unique circumstance and technical capabilities in line with your organizational values.

Check out these fair and honest comparisons between, Zoom vs. Google Meet, Zoom vs. Microsoft Teams, Zoom vs. Webex and Zoom vs. GoToMeeting.

Limitations of Open Source

Many of these video calling solutions are open-source video calling platforms, attractive for transparency and customization purposes, with the added benefit of often lower costs. Yet, despite their numerous advantages, these also have their controversies. These are some of the common drawbacks of open-source video calling platforms:

• Technical Complexity: Many require significant technical expertise to set up and maintain.
• Resource Intensity: These platforms often demand significant server resources especially for larger meetings.
• Scalability Issues: The large scale of participants can degrade the performance.
• Inconsistency in User Experience: Features and performance can be different on various browsers as well as devices.
• Limited Out-of-the-Box Features: Few features may be available out of the box, and some advanced functionalities may also require separate development or plugins
• Documentation Challenges: Documentation gets complicated and outdated or incomplete, making it even tougher to debug.
• Integration: Integration with other tools and services is tough
• Security: There can be a lack of security since the community has an open-source; therefore proper security check must be performed.
• Lack of Professional Support: Users rely on community support, which is not as responsive sometimes as solutions that a commercial alternative can give.
• Compatibility Issues: Web standards and protocols are in continuous transition. Community-driven projects may not be in front all the time.

These factors point to the trade-offs that organizations have to make when choosing open-source video calling platforms against commercial ones.

Run more effective meetings with Feta

With the wide adoption of remote work, it has exposed deep inadequacies in the existing video conferencing platforms. The marriage of constant technical glitches and jarring updates with unmet AI promises forms all too familiar patterns of disappointment. The cycle of ceaseless meetings eventually leads to information overload and loss of context, whereas a lack of seamless integration with other work tools hampers productivity.

Feta is the answer to all these dilemmas. It is an AI-native conferencing tool that streamlines the whole process of meeting through an automatic workflow by keeping context in a modern user-friendly interface. Some of its features include AI-generated summaries, tracking action items, real-time transcription and translation, auto-tagging, and inbuilt task management, with a search-based knowledge base. Feta aims at changing the virtual meeting experience and upping remote work productivity.

You can see for yourself a very honest Zoom vs. Feta.

Migrating from Zoom to the Feta

Feta simplifies the switch from Zoom with a migration offer. Set your remaining contract with Zoom with Feta, for instance, if you already have a 3-month contract left with Zoom, you get 3 months free with Feta. You also get complete migration support and a team to help you with it every step of the way. To avail this offer fill out our online form and our team will be in touch with you shortly.

Refer to Zoom vs Feta, to get a more detailed view about how Feta takes the lead.

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