In today's remote-first world, video conferencing platforms are at the heart of communication, whether it's for business meetings, online classrooms, or virtual events. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one? In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore Jitsi Meet, Zoom, and Google Meet, three of the most popular video conferencing platforms, and explain why Jitsi Meet, especially when deployed and customised by Meetrix, is the best choice for organisations seeking privacy, flexibility, and control.
Why Compare Jitsi, Zoom, and Google Meet?
Zoom and Google Meet dominate the market with millions of users worldwide, thanks to their ease of use and integration with popular productivity tools. However, concerns around privacy, data ownership, and cost are pushing many organisations to seek alternatives. Jitsi Meet, an open-source platform, offers a compelling alternative by providing self-hosting capabilities, enhanced privacy, and unlimited usage without the typical restrictions of commercial platforms.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison: Jitsi vs Zoom vs Google Meet
| Feature | Jitsi Meet | Zoom | Google Meet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / custom-hosted cost / open source | Free (limited) / Paid plans | Free (limited) / Paid plans |
| Self-Hosting | Full control over servers | No | No |
| Privacy & Data Ownership | Complete control (self-hosted) | Data on Zoom servers | Data on Google servers |
| Meeting Duration Limits | Unlimited (server-dependent) | 40 min free, paid plans longer | 60 min free, paid plans longer |
| Max Participants (Free Tier) | No hard limit (depends on server) | 100 | 100 |
| Recording | Via Jibri integration | Paid plans | Paid plans |
| Live Streaming | Supported via Jibri | Paid plans | Not supported |
| Custom Branding | Fully customizable | Limited | Limited |
| Account Required to Join | No (join via link) | Yes | Yes |
| End-to-End Encryption | Optional, improving | Yes (select meetings) | Yes (on supported devices) |
| Integrations | Custom integrations possible | Extensive third-party apps | Google Workspace ecosystem |
| Open Source | 100% open source | Proprietary | Proprietary |
Jitsi Meet: The Open Source Video Conferencing Powerhouse
What Makes Jitsi Different?
Jitsi Meet is a free, open-source video conferencing platform that you can self-host, giving you complete control over your data and privacy. Unlike Zoom and Google Meet, which rely on their cloud servers, Jitsi lets you run your own secure infrastructure.
Key Benefits of Jitsi Meet
- Privacy & Data Control: With self-hosted Jitsi, your video calls, recordings, and metadata never leave your servers. You can control access, storage, and security no third-party tracking or analytics unless you choose to add them.
- Unlimited Usage: No artificial limits on meeting duration or participant numbers, the only constraint is your server capacity.
- Custom Branding & Features: Jitsi is fully customizable. You can tailor the interface, add your own branding, and integrate features unique to your workflow, something commercial platforms simply can’t match.
- No Account Needed: Participants can join meetings instantly via a link, no need to create an account, making access frictionless.
- Recording & Streaming: With Jibri integration, you can record meetings and stream to YouTube or any RTMP destination, even on self-hosted setups.
- Open Source Transparency: Anyone can audit the codebase, ensuring there are no hidden backdoors or privacy concerns
Limitations:
- Requires DevOps knowledge for advanced setups.
- Native mobile apps are basic compared to Zoom’s.
Zoom and Google Meet: Popular but Limited
Zoom
Zoom is widely known for its user-friendly interface and rich features like virtual backgrounds, breakout rooms, and meeting analytics. However:
- Free accounts limit meetings to 40 minutes.
- Advanced features require paid subscriptions.
- Data is stored on Zoom’s servers, raising privacy concerns.
- Requires users to create accounts, adding friction for guests.
Limitations:
- Privacy concerns over past data-sharing practices.
- Cloud-based only—no self-hosted option.
- Limited UI customisation and branding for smaller plans.
Google Meet
Google Meet integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace apps, making it convenient for existing Google users. But:
- It requires a Google account to join meetings.
- Advanced features like recording and live streaming are behind paywalls.
- Data is processed on Google’s servers, limiting control over privacy.
- Customisation and branding options are minimal.
Limitations:
- Fewer features for hosting large events or webinars.
- Limited admin controls compared to Zoom or Jitsi Admin Panel self-hosting or deep customisation options.
Why Choose Jitsi Meet with Meetrix?
At Meetrix, we specialise in deploying and customising Jitsi Meet for organisations of all sizes. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Experts in Deployment: We handle installation, configuration, and scaling on AWS, GCP, Azure, Digital Ocean, or your preferred cloud provider.
- Custom Solutions: From branding to feature development, we tailor Jitsi to your exact needs, whether it’s unique moderation controls, advanced analytics, or deep integrations.
- Scalability: Our auto-scaling solutions support thousands of concurrent users, with optimised performance and cost efficiency.
- Comprehensive Support: We provide ongoing maintenance, security updates, and technical support, ensuring your platform runs smoothly.
- Recording & Streaming: We enable robust recording and streaming capabilities, integrated with cloud storage and scalable infrastructure.
- Proven Track Record: Our clients range from startups to global enterprises, all benefiting from secure, reliable, and customised video conferencing.
How to Decide: Which Platform Fits Your Needs?
| Consideration | Jitsi Meet | Zoom | Google Meet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy Priority | Best (self-hosted, full control) | Moderate (data on Zoom servers) | Moderate (data on Google servers) |
| Budget Constraints | Best (free, open source) | Moderate (free tier limited) | Moderate (free tier limited) |
| Customization Needs | Best (full UI and feature control) | Limited | Limited |
| Meeting Size & Duration | Depends on server capacity | Large meetings with paid plans | Large meetings with paid plans |
| Integration with Tools | Custom integrations possible | Extensive third-party apps | Google Workspace ecosystem |
Final Verdict: Which One Is Best for You?
| Use Case | Recommended Platform |
|---|---|
| Fully branded video conferencing | Jitsi Meet |
| Hosting secure internal meetings | Jitsi / Zoom |
| Casual daily team catch-ups | Google Meet |
| Webinar and training delivery | Zoom |
| Data privacy/compliance needs | Jitsi Meet |
| Integrating video into your product | Jitsi Meet |
Jitsi Meet is the Best Choice for Flexible, Private, and Scalable Video Conferencing
While Zoom and Google Meet serve many users well, Jitsi Meet offers unparalleled benefits for organisations that value privacy, control, and customisation. When combined with Meetrix’s expert deployment and support, Jitsi becomes a powerful, scalable, and cost-effective video conferencing solution tailored to your unique needs.
Ready to experience the freedom and security of Jitsi Meet? Contact Meetrix today to learn how we can deploy and customise Jitsi Meet for your business, ensuring a seamless, private, and scalable video conferencing experience.
For more information, visit Meetrix.io.