Jitsi vs Zoom: Why Open-Source Architecture Wins for Security

If you’re searching for the best Zoom alternatives, security is usually at the top of the list. With more people paying attention to data privacy and control, open-source options like Jitsi have gained traction. This article explains why Jitsi’s open-source architecture beats Zoom in security and flexibility. Whether you’re just getting started with Jitsi, running a business that needs secure meetings, or an agency wanting white-label options, you’ll find clear info here on Jitsi’s API, interface, branding, customization, and helpful resources.

1. API Overview

Jitsi offers a solid and open API setup, so you can plug secure video conferences into your website or app. Unlike Zoom’s closed-off APIs with lots of strings attached, Jitsi’s open-source nature means you can check out, tweak, or extend the code to fit your security and feature needs.

Understanding Jitsi’s API

Basically, Jitsi’s API lets you embed video calls right on your site or app using the Jitsi Meet API, which relies on an iframe to place a meeting room anywhere.

Here’s why it’s good:

• End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): The latest updates support real E2EE — encryption keys stay with users, not on servers. That’s critical for keeping conversations private.
• Open Protocols: Jitsi runs on standard WebRTC protocols, which are open and widely trusted. It’s easier to verify the security this way.
• Custom Signaling: You can set up your own Jitsi server and control how signals are handled, cutting down risks from outside interference.
• Event Callbacks: The API lets you hook into meeting events (joining, leaving, mute, raise hand), so you can customize the user experience or track activity.

Real-world Developer Experience

For example, a healthcare startup needed HIPAA-compliant video calls but didn’t want Zoom’s high enterprise costs. They hosted their own Jitsi server, encrypted everything thoroughly, and locked down access to only approved patients. Because everything was open source, the startup could audit all the code themselves — something you can’t do with most closed platforms.

Long-tail keywords to note:

• “how to use jitsi meet api for secure video conferencing”
• “deploying jitsi server for private video calls”
• “integrate jitsi video conferencing into website securely”

2. UI Elements

Jitsi’s user interface focuses on being simple and easy to use but stays highly customizable. Zoom’s UI looks slick but is mostly fixed—you can tweak branding and layouts a little, but that’s about it.

Jitsi’s UI Flexibility

Jitsi’s front end is built with React and WebRTC, which makes changing things easier. You can:

• Change colors, fonts, and layouts by editing CSS and JS files.
• Add or remove UI parts to focus on what matters most.
• Turn on features like live captions, chat, or raise hand as needed.

For instance, an online teaching platform added Jitsi to their learning system. They stripped out buttons they didn’t need and gave the chat sidebar a boost to encourage student interaction. The result was a clean, no-distractions setup.

Comparing with Zoom’s UI

Zoom’s interface is user-friendly but doesn’t allow deep changes. You might be able to adjust some branding, but the core UI stays the same. This can be tough if you want your product to have a consistent look when reselling or deploying it under your brand.

Long-tail phrases to include:

• “customize jitsi video call interface”
• “user interface options for secure video conferencing”
• “jitsi vs zoom ui customization options”

3. Branding Options

When it comes to branding, Jitsi is a great choice for agencies or businesses looking to put their own stamp on video conferencing.

How Branding Works with Jitsi

Instead of using the public servers at jitsi.org, you host your own Jitsi Meet instance. This lets you:

• Swap out the Jitsi logo for yours.
• Adjust UI colors to fit your brand’s look.
• Use your own domain and SSL certificate for a trusted URL.
• Change email notifications, welcome messages, and loading screens.

Many agencies appreciate having full control here—it helps create a consistent experience and builds trust with users.

Zoom Branding Limitations

Zoom lets you add a custom logo, meeting room names, and vanity URLs if you pay for higher tiers, but you still have to run on Zoom’s platform and app. Full white-labeling isn’t possible.

Long-tail keywords here:

• “white-label video conferencing solutions”
• jitsi branding for agencies
• “custom domain video calls with jitsi”

4. Example Customizations

Here are some examples showing how flexible Jitsi is for secure, adapted setups.

Example 1: Adding a Custom Watermark

If you worry about meetings being leaked, you can add a watermark (like your company name or participant ID) on video tiles. This involves tweaking React components and adding some CSS overlays.

Example 2: Integrating Single Sign-On (SSO)

Jitsi supports OAuth, LDAP, and other SSO systems. A finance firm hooked it up with their internal identity provider so only verified employees can join meetings. It made security better without making users jump through hoops.

Example 3: Moderation Controls and Recording

You can add custom moderator roles to control who can chat, share video, or mute others. Self-hosting Jitsi also lets you use open-source recording and streaming plugins, avoiding all the cloud stuff Zoom depends on.

Case Study: A Law Firm’s Secure Video Setup

A mid-size law firm switched from Zoom to a self-hosted Jitsi server to protect client confidentiality. They tweaked the UI to block screen sharing except for moderators and embedded client-specific branding. Since the backend is open source, they could run security audits regularly, which clients valued.

Search terms connected to this:

• “jitsi video conferencing customization examples”
• “secure video call watermarking”
• “integrate sso with jitsi”

5. Resources

To get going or improve your secure video conferencing with Jitsi, check these out:

• Official Jitsi Handbook & API Docs — https://jitsi.github.io/handbook/
• Jitsi Community Forum — Chat with other users and developers for help and ideas.
• GitHub Repository — https://github.com/jitsi/jitsi-meet: Get the source code, report issues, or contribute.
• Third-Party Tutorials — YouTube and Medium have plenty of how-tos on deploying, customizing, and securing Jitsi.
• WebRTC Security Guidelines — Understanding how WebRTC works helps you see why Jitsi’s security holds up. See https://webrtc.org/security/.

Use these resources and take advantage of Jitsi’s open, community-driven development style. It helps balance security, flexibility, and performance.

Conclusion

If you care about security, flexibility, and transparency, Jitsi’s one of the best Zoom alternatives. Its open-source design gives you total control, letting you build secure video conferencing that meets strict needs. You get strong APIs, a UI you can shape, branding freedom, and proven customizations — all without being locked into one vendor.

If data privacy and brand consistency are priorities, and you want to audit your video stack yourself, Jitsi delivers.

Ready to switch to or build a secure video conferencing system that respects your data? Start by checking out Jitsi’s API and hosting options. Whether you’re a developer, business owner, or agency, Jitsi’s open-source model puts you in control, with solid security. Head over to jitsi.org to begin or join the community for support.