Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Whereby · 📞 video calls
Whereby vs MiroTalk SFU
A capable WebRTC room in one Docker stack, with lobby, whiteboard and recording. Here is how MiroTalk SFU ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Whereby ($10.99/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
MiroTalk SFU
$0.00/mo · AGPL-3.0
Whereby vs MiroTalk SFU Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Whereby (Paid) | MiroTalk SFU (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $10.99 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $132 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $132) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $659 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $659) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,319 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,319) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source AGPL-3.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 3.1k (active aug 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Whereby to MiroTalk SFU
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
MiroTalk can match the room features, but reliable public use means operating Docker, TLS, TURN, recording storage, updates, and browser compatibility yourself.
How to deploy MiroTalk SFU
Use the public browser demo, or deploy the Ubuntu/Docker Compose stack with a domain, TLS, and exposed WebRTC ports
What it takes to run
Self-hosting requires a public Ubuntu server, DNS/TLS, Docker or Node.js, a wide TCP/UDP media-port range, and usually TURN; free AGPL use also does not include unrestricted rebranding.
Where your data lives
Live media is forwarded through the selected SFU and is not stored by default; optional recordings are WebM files in the configured recording directory or an S3-compatible bucket.
Why fork MiroTalk SFU instead of vibe-coding a Whereby clone?
A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Whereby, host one simple browser meeting room using a self-managed WebRTC stack. The hard boundary is browser media reliability, turn capacity, recording, embeds, and support, plus real-time media infrastructure and reliability.
Whereby vs MiroTalk SFU FAQ
Is MiroTalk SFU a good free alternative to Whereby?+
Yes. MiroTalk SFU is a verified open-source (AGPL-3.0) replacement for Whereby. A capable WebRTC room in one Docker stack, with lobby, whiteboard and recording.
What is the catch when switching from Whereby to MiroTalk SFU?+
MiroTalk can match the room features, but reliable public use means operating Docker, TLS, TURN, recording storage, updates, and browser compatibility yourself.
How much do you save switching from Whereby to MiroTalk SFU?+
Whereby costs $10.99/mo ($132/yr) per seat, whereas MiroTalk SFU is $0/mo. Switching saves $132/yr for a solo user, $659/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,319/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host MiroTalk SFU instead of Whereby?+
Install: Use the public browser demo, or deploy the Ubuntu/Docker Compose stack with a domain, TLS, and exposed WebRTC ports. Setup: Self-hosting requires a public Ubuntu server, DNS/TLS, Docker or Node.js, a wide TCP/UDP media-port range, and usually TURN; free AGPL use also does not include unrestricted rebranding.
