Jitsi MeetLinux
vs
Microsoft Teams for EducationWindows
Jitsi Meet as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Teams for Education
Updated
Our verdict
Jitsi Meet is a solid replacement for the video conferencing and chat aspects of Microsoft Teams for Education, but it is not a full suite. It excels at secure, account-free video calls with screen sharing, making it ideal for classes that need reliable meetings without corporate bloat. However, it lacks the integrated assignment management, attendance tracking, and deep LMS integration found in Teams. If your primary need is video lectures and real-time discussion, Jitsi works well. If you rely on Teams for grading, file collaboration, or complex classroom administration, you will need to pair Jitsi with other tools like Moodle or Nextcloud to cover those gaps.
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 2026.8.0 (August 4, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports high-quality video conferencing with screen sharing capabilities
- Provides real-time chat and threaded discussions during calls
- Cross-platform compatibility allowing participation from Linux, Windows, macOS, and mobile browsers
- Secure communication with encryption options for private classrooms
What is different
- Lacks built-in assignment submission, grading, and attendance tracking features
- No native integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas or Blackboard
- Does not provide shared document storage or collaborative editing within the app
- Requires manual setup of external tools for file sharing and persistent chat history
Opening your Microsoft Teams for Education files
Jitsi Meet does not natively open or export Microsoft Teams-specific file formats or project files. It is a video conferencing client, not a document management system. Any files shared during a meeting must be transferred via external methods, such as email, a shared folder, or a separate file-sharing service. Standard media files (images, PDFs) can be viewed in a browser, but complex Office documents require external applications to open.
Switching from Microsoft Teams for Education to Jitsi Meet, step by step
- Set up a Jitsi server or use a public instance like meet.jit.si for your classes
- Install the Jitsi Meet client via Flathub or use the web browser directly on Linux machines
- Create password-protected rooms for each class to ensure privacy
- Share the direct meeting URLs with students to replace Teams meeting links
- Pair Jitsi with a separate LMS or file-sharing service for assignments and documents
Key features of Jitsi Meet
- Connects to any Jitsi deployment, including self-hosted servers
- No account required to join or host conferences
- Supports end-to-end encryption for enhanced security
- High-quality audio and video via Opus, VP8, VP9, and AV1
- Password-protected rooms for private meetings
- Web browser compatibility allows participants to join without installing software
- Custom URL support for easy-to-remember meeting links
- Unlimited participants, limited only by server resources
How to install Jitsi Meet on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.jitsi.jitsi-meetFrequently asked questions
Can I use Jitsi Meet without creating an account?
Yes. Jitsi Meet is designed to be account-free. You can host or join meetings by simply entering a URL and a display name, which simplifies onboarding for students.
Does Jitsi Meet support screen sharing?
Yes. The client supports screen sharing, allowing teachers to present slides, demonstrate software, or share their desktop during video calls.
Is Jitsi Meet suitable for large classes?
It depends on the server. Jitsi itself has no artificial user limits, but performance depends on your server's hardware and bandwidth. For very large groups, self-hosting with sufficient resources is recommended.
3 other alternatives to Microsoft Teams for Education
ElementElement is an open‑source, matrix‑based chat and video‑conference client for Linux.Open sourceFreeFlatpakElement vs Microsoft Teams for Education
ZulipZulip is an open-source group chat application that uses threaded conversations to manage high-volume team…Open sourceFreeFlatpakZulip vs Microsoft Teams for Education
MattermostMattermost is an open-source, self-hosted collaboration platform for developer teams, offering a secure…Open sourceFreeFlatpakMattermost vs Microsoft Teams for Education