Zoom costs $20/mo.
These cost $0.
4 free alternatives to Zoom, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Zoom is Jitsi (Open Source Open Source). Across this category, 2 self-hostable tools are available (including Jitsi and Hopp). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $1,200/year compared to Zoom's $20/mo subscription.
The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Zoom.
Zoom vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $20/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jitsi | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 30.2k | Zoom vs Jitsi → |
| Workadventure | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 5.9k | Zoom vs Workadventure → |
| Wire | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2.6k | Zoom vs Wire → |
| Hopp | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 733 | Zoom vs Hopp → |
The picks
4 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Jitsi
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host30.2knov 2026Host encrypted video conferences directly in your browser, deploy on your own servers, or integrate into applications - all with this powerful open source platform.
The catch vs ZoomRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Zoom.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/jitsi/jitsi-meet or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
Workadventure
open sourceOpen SourceLocal5.9knov 2026Create customizable virtual workspaces for remote teams to interact naturally, host events, and collaborate through spontaneous conversations and scheduled meetings.
The catch vs ZoomCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/workadventure/workadventure/ or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 03
Wire
open sourceOpen SourceLocal2.6knov 2026A comprehensive collaboration platform offering end-to-end encrypted messaging, file sharing, and video calls with enterprise-grade security and compliance features.
The catch vs ZoomCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/wireapp/wire or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 04
Hopp
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host733nov 2026Open-source remote pair programming tool with HD screen sharing, noise-cancelling audio and low-latency remote control. Built specifically for developers.
The catch vs ZoomRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Zoom.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/gethopp/hopp or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
Zoom Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 4 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Zoom open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Zoom?+
The top free alternative to Zoom is Jitsi (open source, Open Source). Host encrypted video conferences directly in your browser, deploy on your own servers, or integrate into applications - all with this powerful open source platform. Other popular Zoom replacements include Workadventure, Wire, Hopp.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Zoom?+
Yes. Of the 4 free alternatives to Zoom, 2 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Jitsi (Open Source), Hopp (Open Source).
How much does switching from Zoom to a free alternative save?+
Zoom starts at $20/month per seat ($240/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Jitsi saves $1,200 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Zoom clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Zoom is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Zoom or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 4 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Jitsi.
What is the catch when switching from Zoom to Jitsi?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Zoom.
