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Comparison · Video conferencing software

BigBlueButton vs Jitsi Meet: which is better in 2026?

BigBlueButton84.5#5 in best video conferencing softwareJitsi Meet89.0#3 in best video conferencing software

Jitsi Meet ranks higher in our list of video conferencing software (#3 against #5, score 89.0 against 84.5).

  • 84.5
    Editorial score
    89.0
  • 2
    Platforms
    4
  • Yes
    Free to use
    Yes
  • Yes
    Open source
    Yes

Which should you choose?

Choose BigBlueButton if you want

Self-hosted virtual classrooms.

Open source under LGPL-3.0 and built for virtual classrooms, with a self-hosted server. It needs an IT team to run it, and it fits business meetings less well than Zoom or Jitsi Meet.

Choose Jitsi Meet if you want

Free, self-hosted or embedded video calls.

Free and open source under Apache-2.0, with browser and phone apps and the option to run it on your own server. The hosted service caps meeting length, and it has fewer enterprise features than Zoom.

The main differences

  • Only Jitsi Meet runs on iOS.
  • Only Jitsi Meet runs on Android.

Side by side

BigBlueButtonJitsi Meet
Score84.589.0
Rank in list#5 of 8#3 of 8
PriceFree and open sourceFree and open source; you pay for your own hostingFree and open sourceFree and open source; hosted meet.jit.si has a meeting time limit
Free to useYesYes
Open sourceYesYes
PlatformsWebSelf-hostedWeb, Self-hostedWebAndroidiOSSelf-hostedWeb, Android, iOS, Self-hosted
Made byNot statedJitsi
HostingSelf-hosted serverHosted meet.jit.si or self-hosted
Best forSelf-hosted virtual classroomsFree, self-hosted or embedded video calls
Strengths
  • Open source under LGPL-3.0 and self-hostable
  • Built for virtual classrooms and education
  • Participants join from a web browser
  • Open source under Apache-2.0 and free to self-host
  • Runs in a browser with no install needed
  • Can be embedded in a web app
Limits
  • Running the server needs an IT team
  • Designed for classes, so it fits business meetings less well
  • The hosted meet.jit.si service limits meeting length
  • Fewer enterprise and webinar features than Zoom
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about BigBlueButton vs Jitsi Meet

Is Jitsi Meet better than BigBlueButton?
Jitsi Meet ranks higher in our list of video conferencing software (#3 against #5, score 89.0 against 84.5). BigBlueButton is best for: self-hosted virtual classrooms. Jitsi Meet is best for: free, self-hosted or embedded video calls.
Which is cheaper, BigBlueButton or Jitsi Meet?
BigBlueButton: Free and open source; you pay for your own hosting. Jitsi Meet: Free and open source; hosted meet.jit.si has a meeting time limit.
Do BigBlueButton and Jitsi Meet run on the same platforms?
BigBlueButton supports Web, Self-hosted. Jitsi Meet supports Web, Android, iOS, Self-hosted.