#1★ TOP PICK
Jitsi Meet
Open-source video meetings with no account required.
92
OPEN SOURCEApache-2.0SELF-HOST
Jitsi Meet is a mature, open-source video-conferencing platform you can use free on the public instance or self-host for full control. Participants can join from a browser with no account, which makes it one of the easiest Zoom replacements to adopt.
Strengths
- +No account needed to join
- +Self-hostable for full control
- +Mature and widely deployed
Trade-offs
- −Large calls need a well-sized server
- −Advanced features require self-hosting effort
Free / open-source (self-host or use a public instance) #2
Jami
Fully peer-to-peer calls with no server at all.
90
OPEN SOURCEGPL-3.0SELF-HOSTLOCAL-FIRST
Jami is a GNU project for calls and messaging that works peer-to-peer and end-to-end encrypted, with no central server to run or trust. It is the most decentralized option — private by design, at the cost of some polish for large group meetings.
Strengths
- +Fully peer-to-peer — no server to run
- +End-to-end encrypted by design
- +Cross-platform
Trade-offs
- −Less turnkey for big group meetings
- −Smaller ecosystem than Jitsi
#3
BigBlueButton
Open-source virtual classroom and web conferencing.
84
OPEN SOURCELGPL-3.0SELF-HOST
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.
Strengths
- +Purpose-built for teaching
- +Whiteboard, breakouts, polls
- +Self-hostable
Trade-offs
- −Heavier to install and run
- −Overkill for simple calls
Free / open-source (self-host)