4 Open Source alternatives to Zoom in 2026
We compare 4 self-hostable tools you can deploy on your own server in minutes, with license, tech stack and a ready-to-copy docker-compose.
Quick comparison
Sorted by featured first, then GitHub stars as a tiebreaker — the same rule we use across the whole site.
| Tool | License | Minimum RAM | Docker | GitHub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jitsi Meet 100% FOSSMost popular on GitHub | Apache-2.0 | ~2GB | ✅ | ★ ~24,000 |
| Neko Lightest option100% FOSS1-Click Deploy | Apache-2.0 | ~256MB | ✅ | ★ ~9,000 |
| BigBlueButton 100% FOSS | LGPL-3.0 | ~512MB | — | ★ ~5,000 |
| Galène Lightest option100% FOSS1-Click Deploy | MIT | ~256MB | ✅ | ★ ~2,000 |
Detailed profile of each alternative
Alternative to Zoom, Google Meet
Video calls with no limits or account, a direct alternative to Zoom.
Alternative to Zoom
Education-focused video conferencing, an alternative to Zoom.
Alternative to Zoom
Ultra-lightweight video conferencing server, an alternative to Zoom on modest hardware.
Alternative to Zoom
Shared streaming virtual browser, for watch parties and collaboration.
How much does Zoom cost, and how much can you save?
Zoom charges a recurring monthly fee. Self-hosting the alternative, you only pay for the server — usually a few dollars a month.
Calculate your exact savings in the SaaS Audit →Already know which one you want?
Add Jitsi Meet to the Stack Builder and generate a ready-to-deploy docker-compose.yml, alone or alongside the rest of your stack.
Build my stackFrequently asked questions
Do I need Docker to self-host a Zoom alternative?
3 out of 4 have a ready-to-copy docker-compose.yml; the rest use their own installer (each tool's page says which).
How much RAM do I need at minimum?
The lightest option on this list is Neko, which runs on as little as 256MB of RAM — enough for a cheap VPS.
Are they all 100% free, or are there paid features like on Zoom?
Yes, all 4 are 100% FOSS: no paid plan or locked features when self-hosted.