Why Jitsi is the Best Open-Source Video Conferencing Tool

What is Jitsi and Why Should You Care?

Have you ever wondered if there’s a secure, reliable, and completely free alternative to Zoom or Google Meet? If you’re asking what Jitsi is, you’re about to discover a hidden gem in the world of open-source video conferencing.

Jitsi is a powerful, privacy-focused, and highly customizable video conferencing platform that’s been quietly helping millions collaborate online, without the usual limitations of mainstream tools. Whether you’re a developer, educator, startup founder, or remote team lead, Jitsi offers a flexible, scalable solution for hosting video meetings.

Let’s dive into why Jitsi is becoming the best open-source video conferencing tool available today.

1. What is Jitsi?

At its core, Jitsi is a collection of open-source projects that allow you to build and run secure video conferencing systems. The most popular product under the Jitsi umbrella is Jitsi Meet, a browser-based app that lets you start video meetings instantly — no sign-up required.

Other components include:

• Jitsi Videobridge – The backbone that routes video streams
• Jicofo – Coordinates conference control
• Jibri – For recording and live streaming your sessions
• Jigasi – A gateway for SIP calling

When people ask the meaning of Jitsi, they’re often surprised to learn it stands for “wires” in Bulgarian — a nod to its communication roots.

2. Why Jitsi is Gaining Traction in 2025

You may be used to tools that collect data, push upsells, and require logins. Jitsi flips that model. It’s open-source, completely free, and respects your privacy.

Here’s why users are making the switch:

• No account needed: Launch a meeting with one click
• Self-hosting capabilities: Own your data and infrastructure
• Active developer community: Regular updates and security patches
• Cross-platform support: Works on all browsers, Android, and iOS

3. Benefits That Make Jitsi a Winner

Full Control With Self-Hosting

If you’re concerned about data privacy or server location, Jitsi allows full control through self-hosting. You can deploy your own instance with customized branding and security layers — ideal for enterprises or health-tech platforms.

Cost-Effective for Startups

Looking to avoid expensive video tools? Jitsi’s free, open-source nature makes it a budget-friendly choice without sacrificing performance.

Seamless Collaboration

With features like screen sharing, chat, and breakout rooms, Jitsi Meet rivals the user experience of the most premium tools.

4. The Open-Source Power Behind Jitsi

One of the strongest points in favor of Jitsi is that it’s truly open-source. That means:

• Developers can contribute, improve, or modify the tool
• You avoid vendor lock-in
• Security vulnerabilities are transparent and quickly addressed

This community-driven development model ensures Jitsi stays relevant, secure, and powerful.

5. How to Get Started: A Quick Jitsi Guide

Starting with Jitsi is easy. Here’s a simple way to try it out:

1. Go to meet.jit.si
2. Type a meeting name
3. Hit “Start Meeting”

Done! No sign-up. No download. Just instant video conferencing.

If you want more control, you can explore a Jitsi setup on your own server using Docker or cloud services like AWS and DigitalOcean.

6. Scaling Jitsi for Large Events

Jitsi scaling is one of the biggest reasons it’s used by tech companies and event organizers. With Jitsi Videobridge, you can route multiple video streams without overwhelming your servers.

Need to support hundreds of participants? You can:

• Add multiple videobridges across regions
• Use autoscaling strategies in the cloud
• Integrate load balancers for performance

This flexibility makes Jitsi a great fit for enterprise-level deployments.

7. Rebranding Jitsi for Your Own Platform

If you’re building a SaaS or telemedicine platform, Jitsi rebranding allows you to make it your own.

You can:

• Change the UI to match your brand
• Add custom features like appointment scheduling
• Embed it seamlessly into your existing app

This has made Jitsi the go-to white-label solution for video conferencing startups and service providers.

8. Recording and Streaming With Jibri

Want to record your meetings or stream them live on YouTube? That’s where Jibri comes in.

Jibri (Jitsi Broadcasting Infrastructure) is an add-on tool that:

• Records video and audio locally
• Streams directly to platforms like YouTube or Twitch
• Works with your custom Jitsi instance

If you’re running webinars, courses, or virtual events, Jibri is a must-have in your Jitsi toolkit.

9. Is Jitsi Secure?

Yes, and here’s why:

• End-to-end encryption (for 1:1 meetings)
• Password-protected rooms
• No data tracking or hidden analytics
• Transparency through open code

For privacy-conscious teams, Jitsi offers more control than most mainstream options.

10. Jitsi vs. Zoom vs. Google Meet

Feature	Jitsi	Zoom	Google Meet
Open Source	✅	❌	❌
Free Version	✅	✅	✅
Self-Hosting	✅	❌	❌
Branding Control	✅	❌	❌
Advanced Privacy	✅	❌	❌

While Zoom and Meet are easier out of the box, Jitsi wins on control, cost, and customization.

11. When Jitsi Might Not Be the Right Fit

To be fair, Jitsi isn’t perfect for every use case. You might run into:

• High server requirements for large meetings
• Learning curve for advanced setup
• Less polished UX than commercial products

But if you’re looking for freedom, privacy, and flexibility, those trade-offs are worth it.

12. Final Thoughts: Is Jitsi Right for You?

If you’re looking for a reliable, customizable, and free way to host video calls, Jitsi might be exactly what you need.

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a growing startup, or a large company looking to scale — Jitsi offers a professional-grade platform without the high cost or privacy risks.

Would you like a branded Jitsi instance for your business, telehealth service, or SaaS product?

📞 Contact us and talk to our expert; we’ll help you scale and launch your own video platform.