Jitsi vs Zoom vs Google Meet: Which Video Conferencing Platform is Best for You?

Jitsi vs Zoom vs Google Meet: Which Video Conferencing Platform is Best for You?

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

Type

Open-source (self-hosted/cloud)

Proprietary SaaS

Proprietary SaaS

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.


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