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Google Meet vs BigBlueButton
Google Meet vs BigBlueButton
A side-by-side look at Google Meet (the paid SaaS) and BigBlueButton (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Google Meet | BigBlueButton | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Meetings embedded in Google Workspace. | Open source web conferencing built for online learning. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | LGPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | Free (time-limited for groups); full access with Workspace. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 4/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Web only |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Structured learning and webinar workflows.
BigBlueButton strengths
- Designed for virtual classrooms with whiteboard and polls.
- Recording, breakout rooms, and captions built in.
- Integrates with Moodle and other LMS.
BigBlueButton weaknesses
- Demanding hardware for self-hosting.
- Setup and maintenance are not beginner-friendly.
- UI feels academic, not corporate.
What's the catch with Google Meet?
- Tied to Google account ecosystem.
- Free tier has 60-minute limit on group calls.
- Privacy concerns for non-Workspace users.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Google Meet: see Google Meet alternatives, or learn more about BigBlueButton on its project page.
Recommended reading
When self-hosting goes wrong: seven failure modes and how to avoid them
An honest retrospective on the ways self-hosted setups break — not in theory, but in practice — and the small habits that prevent most of them.
Will the open source project you depend on still exist in three years?
Bus factor, maintainer burnout, funding models, and the signals that separate OSS projects that survive from those that quietly decay.
From SaaS to self-hosted: a 30-day migration playbook
A week-by-week plan to move one service off SaaS and onto your own server without breaking your team's workflow.