Open Source Alternatives to Zoom: Free, Secure, Unlimited
Discover free, unlimited video‑chat tools that replace Zoom without subscription fees. Compare Jitsi, BigBlueButton, and Nextcloud Talk for security and ease.
Why Open Source Alternatives to Zoom Are a Game Changer
We’ve all stared at those endless Zoom fee slips, wondering if there’s a cheaper, smarter way to connect. The truth? An open source alternative to Zoom can give you unlimited meeting time, zero subscription costs, and full control over your data. And the best part? You don’t have to trade privacy for convenience.
This section dives into the criteria that matter most: cost, meeting length, security, and ease of use. We’ll compare the leading options, show real‑world setups, and give you a clear, actionable roadmap to pick the right tool.
Tool | Cost | Meeting Time | Security | Ease of Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jitsi Meet | Free | Unlimited | Optional E2EE | Docker or public instance |
BigBlueButton | Free | Unlimited | Optional E2EE | Script or Docker |
Nextcloud Talk | Free | Unlimited | Client‑side E2EE | Add‑on to Nextcloud |
Quick‑Start Checklist: Jitsi Meet
- Choose hosting – use meet.jit.si or run your own Docker container.
- Pull image –
docker run -d --name jitsi -p 80:80 -p 443:443 jitsi/web. - Set domain & TLS – point your DNS to the container and add Let’s Encrypt certs.
- Invite – share the URL; participants join without an account.
- Record – enable server‑side recording; files appear in
/recordings.
Quick‑Start Checklist: BigBlueButton
- Download –
wget https://codeload.github.com/bigbluebutton/bigbluebutton/tar.gz/refs/tags/v2.2.0. - Install – run the script on Ubuntu 20.04.
- Configure SSL – generate certs and set
BBB_SERVER. - Launch –
sudo systemctl start bbb-apps. - Create a room – use the web UI or REST API.
Quick‑Start Checklist: Nextcloud Talk
- Deploy Nextcloud – Docker or native install.
- Enable Talk app from the app store.
- Secure – Let’s Encrypt or self‑signed certs.
- Create a room via web or mobile.
- Invite – share the link or add users.
Ready to ditch pricey subscriptions? Pick the platform that matches your tech stack, set it up in minutes, and start hosting secure, unlimited meetings. Let’s make every call feel like a breeze.