Bild von ChatGPT zu Open-Source-Video-Konferenzsysteme im Vergleich

We have designed and implemented powerful video conferencing solutions based on established open source components for numerous customers. fairmeeting, based on Jitsi Meet, and fairteaching, based on BigBlueButton, are increasingly being used at fairkom.

On this page, we provide a concise overview of video conferencing systems from the open-source environment, based on our practical experience.

We would be happy to assist you in evaluating, planning, and implementing a suitable solution in your organization and will prepare a customized quote for you.

Graphic created with the support of ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Function overview
Open source video conferencing systems
🗣️ Communication & Meeting Basics Jitsi Meet BigBlueButton OpenTalk Nextcloud Talk PlugNMeet
Audio / video conference ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Recommended max. participants / room up to ~2000 (with multiple JVBs) ~200 bis 500 ~200 (depending on setup) ~50 (more with HPB) ~200 (depending on setup)
Chat ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Invitation by e-mail ✅ (API) ✅ ✅ ✅ (Nextcloud integration) ✅
📊 Presentation & Collaboration Jitsi Meet BigBlueButton OpenTalk Nextcloud Talk PlugNMeet
Screen sharing ✅ (several possible) ✅ (several possible) ✅ ✅ ✅
Presentation mode (presenter in focus) ✅ ✅ ⚠️ ✅ ⚠️
Upload presentations (PDF/PPT) ⚠️ (only screen sharing) ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Whiteboard ✅ (Excalidraw) ✅ ✅ ⚠️ (App required) ✅
Breakout rooms ✅ ✅ ✅ ✘ ✅
File transfer ⚠️ (via external links) ⚠️ (presentations only) ✅ ✅ (Nextcloud files) ✅
🎛️ Moderation & Interaction Jitsi Meet BigBlueButton OpenTalk Nextcloud Talk PlugNMeet
Show of hands / Polls ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Moderation rights ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Central mute function ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Remote control (mouse/keyboard) ✅ ✘ ✅ ✘ ✘
🎉 Participation options Jitsi Meet BigBlueButton OpenTalk Nextcloud Talk PlugNMeet
Browser (without plugin) ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Mobile applications ✅ ⚠️ restricted ✘ ✅ ✘
Telephone dial-in (SIP) ✅ (in/out) ✅ (in) ✅ (Gateway) ✅ (in) ✘
📹 Operation & follow-up Jitsi Meet BigBlueButton OpenTalk Nextcloud Talk PlugNMeet
Recording ✅ (Jibri) ✅ ✅ ⚠️ (external) ✅
Scalability very high (cluster-capable) high (education-centred) high medium high
🔐 Security & Governance Jitsi Meet BigBlueButton OpenTalk Nextcloud Talk PlugNMeet
End-to-end encryption ✅ (small meetings) ✘ ✅ ✅ ✅
Waiting room ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Room password ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Role-based rights ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Explanations
of some functions
Function Jitsi Meet BigBlueButton OpenTalk Nextcloud Talk PlugNMeet
SIP telephone connection full support via Jigasi incoming and outgoing   incoming SIP integration with a fixed number per conference SIP support with high-performance backend  
Whiteboard   excellent whiteboard integration, especially for teaching situations   separate whiteboard app required integrated collaborative whiteboards
Recording local recording with Chrome based browsers with BBB downloads with PILOS-Frontend only (recommended)   external recording server required Clou recordings with MP4-export
Enterprise features highly scalable, conferences can be distributed across multiple video bridges, cookie-free operation   focus on GDPR compliance   scalable architecture with LiveKit
mobile support   no app of its own yet (announced for iOS) no native app (browser only)   no native app (browser only)

 

⚠️ Note on SIP: Jitsi Meet and Nextcloud Talk support SIP end devices without additional gateways. PlugNMeet offers RTMP streaming instead (e.g. for YouTube/livestreams).

Recommendations
based on use case
Use Case Video Conferencing System
Education / Webinars BigBlueButton or OpenTalk (optimized for teaching)
Corporate Communications Jitsi Meet (maximum flexibility) or OpenTalk (security)
Nextcloud Environments Nextcloud Talk (seamless integration)
Performance / Low latency PlugNMeet (WebRTC optimized)
Cisco integration Jitsi Meet with Jigasi or OpenTalk