Open Source Alternatives to Zoom
Transparent & Community-Driven
Replace Zoom with open-source software you can inspect, modify, and self-host. No vendor lock-in, no hidden costs, full control over your data.
Zoom became synonymous with video calls during 2020, but at $13.33/month for the Pro plan, it competes with free alternatives that cover most use cases. Google Meet is free for up to 60-minute calls with 100 participants and integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar. Microsoft Teams is free with chat, file sharing, and 60-minute video calls. Jitsi Meet is an open-source option that requires no account and can be self-hosted. For most personal and small-team video calling, the free tiers of Google Meet or Teams are sufficient. Zoom's paid features — longer meetings, cloud recording, webinars — are valuable for specific professional use cases but unnecessary for the vast majority of users who just need to hop on a video call.
Open-source alternatives give you something subscription software never can: the ability to inspect, modify, and self-host the code. This means full transparency, no vendor lock-in, and the freedom to run the software on your own terms. The following open-source alternatives have been evaluated for features, community health, and long-term viability.
Why Open Source?
Transparent Code
Audit the code yourself. No hidden trackers or data collection.
Save Per Year
$191.88
3-Year Savings
$575.64
Open Source Alternatives Comparison
Free / Open Source
| Tool | Match | Pricing | Platform | Offline | OSS | Ownership | Migration | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jitsi Meet Best free alternative | 65% | Open Source | WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidWebSelf-hosted | — | ✓ | Full ownership | Easy |
Best free alternative
Detailed Alternatives
Best free alternative
A free, open-source video conferencing tool.
Editor's Note
Jitsi Meet is a solid free alternative for smaller meetings with privacy focus.
What you gain
- +Free and open source
- +No account needed
- +Self-hostable
- +End-to-end encryption
What you lose
- −Meeting reliability
- −Advanced features
- −Large meeting support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best open-source alternative to Zoom?
Jitsi Meet is the most popular open-source alternative to Zoom. It has an active community, transparent codebase, and is free to use.
Is open-source software as good as Zoom?
Open-source software has matured significantly. Jitsi Meet now match Zoom in core functionality. The main differences are usually in polish and enterprise integrations, not fundamental capability.
Can I self-host open-source alternatives to Zoom?
Many open-source alternatives can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Several options listed above support self-hosting.
Is open-source software secure?
Open-source software is often more secure than proprietary alternatives because the code is publicly auditable. Security researchers and the community can review and report vulnerabilities, leading to faster fixes.
What about support for open-source alternatives?
Open-source projects typically have community forums, documentation, and chat channels. Some also offer commercial support tiers. The community support is often faster and more helpful than vendor support.
Related Open Source Alternatives
Take control with open source
Replace Zoom with software you own and control. No subscriptions, no lock-in.