In today’s remote world, video meetings are part of daily life. Choosing the right tool is important for smooth, secure, and productive conversations. If you’re searching Google for “Jitsi vs. Whereby,” you’re not alone—and you’ve come to the right place. This guide gives you a human-friendly, up-to-date breakdown that will help you decide which solution fits your needs in 2025.
Jitsi Meet vs. Whereby: The Essentials
Both Jitsi Meet and Whereby are trusted for quality, convenience, and security. But important differences might affect your choice.
What Is Jitsi Meet?
Jitsi Meet is a free, open-source video conferencing platform known for its emphasis on privacy, flexibility, and control. Use it without an account via your browser, or take full control by self-hosting on your own server. It’s built for teams that want secure meetings without third-party tracking, customizable branding, and unlimited calls.
What Is Whereby?
Whereby is a browser-based video conferencing tool focused on ease of use. There are no downloads or plug-ins—just join with a link. Whereby is famous for its attractive interface, live captions, and customized rooms, making it ideal for freelancers, consultants, and teams looking for simple, effective meetings with minimal setup.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Jitsi Meet | Whereby |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free & open-source; self-host or use free public servers | Free tier (up to 4 participants); paid upgrades |
| Security | End-to-end encryption, open source, self-hosting | GDPR compliant, encrypted, but not self-hosted |
| User Access | No login required; or authenticated for self-host | No account needed for guests |
| Recording | Yes (via integration/Jibri set-up) | Limited—paid plans only, and not on free tier |
| Participant Limits | Unlimited (depends on server capacity) | Free: up to 4; paid plans for more |
| Screen Sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Slack, Office 365, calendar, third-party | Google Calendar, custom branding, APIs |
| Device Support | Web, iOS, Android, desktop apps | Web, iOS, Android |
| Customization/Branding | Fully customizable, white-label, self-host possible | Customizable meeting rooms, branding for paid |
| Accessibility | HD audio/video, no login, multi-language support | Live captions, keyboard navigation, WCAG focus |
| Support | Community (open source), paid support if self-host | 24/7 chat/email for paid plans |
What Makes Jitsi Meet Stand Out?
- Open source & free: No vendor lock-in, install and host your own platform for maximum data privacy.
- Security-first: End-to-end encryption, no forced accounts, regular audits via open codebase.
- Unlimited meetings: No time limits, no cap on participants (except your server’s power).
- Customizable: White-labeling, custom plugins, integrations for full control.
- Works everywhere: Web, desktop, and mobile apps; easy join via browser link.
- User Feedback: Praised for speed, privacy features, and seamless group meetings, though some users mention calls can be unstable on poor Internet connections.
When Should You Choose Jitsi Meet?
- You value privacy and open source.
- Your organization wants to self-host for compliance or data control.
- You need unlimited meetings or large participant capacity.
- You’re a developer or business wanting to customize or white-label your conferencing.
Whereby—Simple, Beautiful, and Browser-Based
- Browser-first: No downloads—open a link, and you’re in.
- Accessibility Champion: Live captions, real-time transcriptions, keyboard navigation support.
- Custom branding: Own your room’s look and feel on paid plans.
- Breakout rooms: Create smaller group sessions within meetings.
- High ratings for ease of use: Users love the stress-free setup, clean interface, and reliability, especially for smaller meetings or quick calls.
- Cons: Free plan is limited (4 users/room), and some advanced features (like recording) require paid upgrades with recent pricing changes a concern for some.
When Should You Choose Whereby?
- You need fast, frictionless meetings, often with guests or clients.
- Accessibility is essential (captions, navigation, mobile support).
- Custom branding for client-facing meetings is a priority.
- You don’t need massive participant numbers.
- You want a straightforward interface and solid support.
Real User Reviews and Experiences
Jitsi Meet
Pros: Great for privacy, unlimited calls, and self-hosting. Trusted by schools, developers, and NGOs. Users highlight clean UI and collaborative features like whiteboarding and chat.
Cons: Quality can depend on your hosting/server and network stability. Requires setup for enterprise features like recording.
Whereby
Pros: Top marks for simplicity, nice design, and smooth user experience. Video quality is solid—even on weaker connections. Users praise the ease of joining via simple invite links.
Cons: Free plan is limited, and advanced features are paywalled. Some users felt recent price hikes reduced overall value.
Privacy, Security, and Compliance
Jitsi Meet:
Open source, self-hosted option delivers unbeatable privacy—no data leaves your servers if you host it. End-to-end encryption available for 1:1 and group calls. GDPR compliant.Whereby:
Fully encrypted, GDPR-compliant, broad accessibility, offers HIPAA compliance on Embedded plans—ideal for telehealth and privacy-conscious users.
Which Platform Is Best for You?
Choose Jitsi Meet if:
- Privacy and self-hosting are your top priorities.
- You want open-source flexibility and expandability for large meetings.
Choose Whereby if:
- You need a user-friendly, browser-based tool for small/medium teams or external clients.
- Simple, accessible meetings are your main goal.
Conclusion
Both Jitsi Meet and Whereby deliver secure, high-quality video conferencing—without complex setups. Jitsi Meet stands out for privacy, control, and unlimited flexibility, especially if you want to self-host and customize. Whereby shines for ease, speed, and accessibility, making online meetings effortless for teams, clients, or even classrooms.
Ready to make your choice?
Test both platforms for free and discover which one fits your team’s workflow best. Power up your meetings—whether privacy, simplicity, or branding leads your way!
Want help setting up Jitsi meet for your organization? Reach out.