WebRTC application that uses Jitsi Videobridge to provide high quality, scalable video conferences.
- Apache-2.0
- TypeScript
- Docker
- Actively maintained
Video Conferencing & VoIP comparison
Jitsi Meet vs BigBlueButton: which should you self-host in 2026?
Pick Jitsi Meet if you want quick, account-free video meetings that are easy to host; pick BigBlueButton if you run online classes and need whiteboards, breakout rooms and recordings.
Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.
Supports real-time sharing of audio, video, slides (with whiteboard controls), chat, and the screen. Instructors can engage remote students with polling, emojis, and breakout rooms.
- LGPL-3.0
- JavaScript
- Actively maintained
Head-to-head
Jitsi Meet vs BigBlueButton, side by side
Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.
| Aspect |  Jitsi Meet |  BigBlueButton |
|---|---|---|
| License | Apache-2.0 | LGPL-3.0 |
| Architecture | WebRTC app on the Jitsi Videobridge SFU, with Prosody for signaling | Full classroom stack (HTML5 client, media server, recording) installed on one Ubuntu host |
| Standout features | No account needed to join, screen sharing, lobby, end-to-end encryption option | Multi-user whiteboard, breakout rooms, polls, shared notes, session recordings |
| Hardware needs | Runs on a modest VPS for small meetings and scales out with more videobridges | Needs a dedicated Ubuntu server; the install docs list specific CPU and memory minimums |
| Integrations | Embeddable via iframe API; mobile SDKs | Integrates with Moodle, Canvas and other LMSs; Greenlight front end |
| GitHub stars | 30,044 | 9,236 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 797 | 1,497 |
| Last commit | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Latest release | stable/jitsi-meet_11248Sep 14, 2026 | v3.0.39Oct 2, 2026 |
| Main language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Official Docker image | Yes | No |
| Repository | jitsi/jitsi-meet | bigbluebutton/bigbluebutton |
Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.
Verdict
Jitsi Meet is the simpler choice for everyday video calls: guests join from a link, and it installs from Debian packages or Docker. BigBlueButton is a virtual classroom built for teaching, with a multi-user whiteboard, breakout rooms, polls and recordings, but it needs a dedicated Ubuntu server and more resources.
Best for
Choose Jitsi Meet for
Ad hoc team calls and meetings that guests join from a link.
Best for
Choose BigBlueButton for
Schools, universities and trainers running live online classes.
Deploy either in minutes
Not sure yet? Spin up a small VPS or a managed instance, try both for a week, and keep the one that fits.
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Is BigBlueButton better than Jitsi for teaching?
Yes. BigBlueButton was designed for online classes, with whiteboards, breakout rooms, polls and recordings built in, plus LMS integrations.
Does Jitsi Meet have mobile apps?
Yes. Jitsi Meet has official Android and iOS apps, and you can point them at your own server.
Can I run BigBlueButton in Docker?
The officially supported install is a script for a dedicated Ubuntu server. Community Docker setups exist, but the project recommends its standard installer.
Which is more popular on GitHub, Jitsi Meet or BigBlueButton?
Jitsi Meet has 30,044 GitHub stars against 9,236 for BigBlueButton. Over the last twelve months Jitsi Meet received 797 commits and BigBlueButton received 1,497, so BigBlueButton is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.