// head-to-head
Zoom vs Jitsi
Zoom is the video-call default. Jitsi is the open-source video stack that powers everything from grassroots community calls to enterprise deployments behind their own firewalls.
Jitsi's free public instance (meet.jit.si) is genuinely usable, and self-hosting gives you complete control for the cost of a small VPS.
No paid rankingsPricing checked June 15, 20263 options
Pricing comparison
| Tool | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom Pro | $15.99/user/mo | 30-hour meetings, AI Companion, recording. |
| Jitsi (meet.jit.si) | $0 | Public instance, end-to-end encryption available. |
| Jitsi (self-hosted) | $0 + ~$10–40/mo VPS | Apache-licensed. Scale up the server for larger calls. |
Who should switch
- ✓Teams that mostly do 1:1 and small group calls.
- ✓Privacy-focused teams — end-to-end encryption on Jitsi is real.
- ✓Communities and meetups that don't want a 40-minute cap.
- ✓Anyone with one engineer comfortable running Docker.
Who should not switch
- ·Large all-hands meetings (50+ on a single call).
- ·Companies that depend on Zoom Webinars.
- ·Teams that need Otter-style live transcription out of the box.
Savings math
- Zoom Pro for 25 users: $399.75/mo = $4,797/yr.
- Jitsi self-hosted on a single $20/mo VPS: $240/yr.
- Annual savings: $4,557/yr (95%).
- Public meet.jit.si: $0 — best for individuals and small teams.
Caveats
- !Quality on calls of 15+ participants depends on server CPU and network.
- !No native cloud recording — bring your own (Jibri requires extra setup).
- !AI features (summaries, transcripts) are not built in.
Final verdict
For privacy-led teams and small groups, Jitsi is unbeatable. For polish, hybrid workplaces, and large meetings, Zoom still wins.
Pricing checked June 15, 2026. We re-verify every comparison page on a rolling basis.
Sources
Related guides
Prices change often — verify on the vendor's site before switching.