Jitsi MeetLinux
vs
Microsoft Teams (new)Windows
Jitsi Meet as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Teams (new)
Updated
Our verdict
Jitsi Meet is a solid replacement for Microsoft Teams (new) if your primary needs are video conferencing, screen sharing, and ad-hoc collaboration without mandatory accounts. It excels in simplicity, privacy, and ease of access—especially for external participants. However, it lacks persistent group chat with searchable history, deep calendar integration, and unified file collaboration like Teams' SharePoint and OneNote features. Best for small teams, educators, or organizations prioritizing open-source tools and minimal setup over centralized management and workflow automation.
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 2026.8.0 (August 4, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both support multi-participant video and audio conferencing
- Screen sharing is available in both applications
- No account is required to join meetings in Jitsi Meet, similar to Teams guest links
- File sharing during calls works via third-party services or manual upload
- Calendar integration possible through external tools like Nextcloud or manual scheduling
What is different
- Jitsi Meet has no built-in persistent group chat history; messages disappear after the session
- No native integration with Outlook or Exchange for calendar syncing
- Lacks centralized user management and policy controls expected in enterprise environments
- File collaboration is limited—no shared workspaces like Teams' tabs with Word, Excel, etc.
- End-to-end encryption in Jitsi is experimental, while Teams offers more mature compliance features
Opening your Microsoft Teams (new) files
Jitsi Meet does not handle Microsoft Teams file formats directly, as it doesn't integrate with Microsoft 365 services like OneDrive or SharePoint. If someone shares a Teams link to a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file, you’ll need external access to those files—either through a Microsoft account or by having the file sent another way. There's no built-in way to view or edit Teams-specific files inside Jitsi. Collaboration happens separately: you’d share your screen or use a third-party document platform like OnlyOffice or Etherpad.
Switching from Microsoft Teams (new) to Jitsi Meet, step by step
- Set up a self-hosted Jitsi instance or choose a public server with a custom room name
- Configure password protection for private meetings
- Train users to join via browser or install the Jitsi Meet app from Flathub or Snap
- Use a calendar plugin or manual invites to schedule and share meeting links
- Integrate with Nextcloud or Matrix for persistent chat and file sharing
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 external users join Jitsi Meet without creating an account?
Yes, anyone can join a Jitsi Meet call just by clicking a link in their browser—no account or software installation needed.
Does Jitsi Meet support recurring meetings with calendar invites?
Not directly. You can manually send calendar invites with a fixed URL, but there's no automatic scheduling sync like in Microsoft Teams.
Is chat history saved between sessions?
No. Jitsi Meet does not store chat history. Messages are lost when the meeting ends.
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