Using open-source video conferencing software eliminates the need for in-person meetings while also providing numerous other benefits,
which may include gaming at crazy vegas. This guide explains our top picks for the best video conferencing software on the market, as well as the benefits of adopting these platforms over closed-source alternatives.
Why Should I Use Open-Source Video Conferencing Software?
Open-source video conferencing software is often more secure than closed-source alternatives. This is especially relevant when considering previous data breaches on closed-source platforms, such as the exposing of hundreds of millions of Zoom passwords and usernames in April 2020.
While open source isn’t flawless, a bigger audience of code inspectors helps to identify security flaws sooner. Contributors can also detect and fix other flaws faster, though this varies greatly between projects.
Open-source software also allows you to make longer video conference calls for free. While not all closed-source software has a time limit, many of them require you to pay for unrestricted access. Zoom, for example, only allows users to communicate for 40 minutes on its free plan.
What Are the Best Open-Source Video Conferencing softwares?
Now that we’ve covered the main advantages of using open-source video conferencing platforms, let’s have a look at some of the best options. Our favorite picks are listed below.
- Jitsi Meet
Jitsi Meet is a free, user-friendly tool that uses secure technology. To invite individuals to a call on Jitsi Meet, simply provide a URL that they can access. This allows you to hold calls without needing to download an additional app.
If you like to organize your week on Google Calendar, Jitsi Meet can integrate your meetings into the app, so you never forget when you should be on a call. This makes it a dependable video conferencing solution for remote work.
Jitsi Meet includes features such as group video, live chat, screen sharing, and streaming. It works well with Google Chrome and provides outstanding audio and video quality without lag. The platform offers optional end-to-end encryption.
Jitsi Meet includes extensions for Slack and Google Chrome. Jitsi Meet is available on both iOS and Android mobile apps, in addition to web browsers.
- Jami
Jami works on all devices and is entirely free. You can quickly initiate calls with other users and create a username so that people can easily find you. In addition to video conferencing, Jami allows you to interact with others through instant messaging, so you can access fonni together while being in different zone. So, if you’re searching for an internal communication tool for your workplace, Jami is an excellent option.
If you value your privacy, Jami is an excellent choice because it allows you to stay anonymous and provides end-to-end encryption. Jami also uses distributed infrastructure and X.509-compliant user authentication. Furthermore, you can use the tool offline.
Jami has no limitations on features, storage, bandwidth, or users. It is ad-free, reliable, and speedy. You can donate to the platform if you enjoy using it and want to support the project.
- Nextcloud Talk
Nextcloud Talk allows you to hold video meetings and share your screen, making it the ideal open-source video conferencing tool for many people. The platform is completely self-hosted, so you don’t have to worry about your metadata being disclosed. Furthermore, the platform supports AES-256 encryption, provides protection against brute force attacks, and allows you to password-protect your calls.
Aside from video conferencing tools, Nextcloud Talk provides a number of tools to help make meetings more productive and participatory. For example, you can give presentations using the whiteboard feature. Nextcloud can also be used as an alternative to Google Drive and Dropbox, as it allows you to save documents, photographs, and other files.
Nextcloud Talk has a number of additional tools that might help you get the most out of your video chats. If you need to gather important information from other attendees, you can use in-chat polls. You can also use two-factor authentication (2FA) to verify that your calls are safe.
If you decide to use Nextcloud Talk, you may want to look into Nextcloud’s other products, such as Nextcloud Office and Nextcloud Files.
- Apache OpenMeetings
Apache OpenMeetings includes two video conferencing options: one that only shows video and one that allows you to scribble on a whiteboard. The latter is perfect if you wish to host seminars or explain a hard topic to the other call recipients.
Apache OpenMeetings allows you to report potential security issues and make them accessible on its website, as well as notify users if the issue has been resolved or not. So, you can choose whether to use Apache OpenMeetings or one of the options we’ve discussed.
In addition to video conferences, Apache OpenMeetings allows you to arrange audio-only meetings if you believe it is required. The one-click join function allows you to access your meetings without having to download the app. If you need to retrieve your meeting later, you can use Apache OpenMeetings’ call recording features.