Linux · Internet
Zoom
Zoom is a proprietary video conferencing app for online meetings, webinars, and screen sharing with broad Linux support.
- License
- LicenseRef-proprietary
- Latest version
- 7.2.1.5760 (September 21, 2026)
- Developer
- zoom.us
- Installs
- 26,161 (Flathub, 30 days)
What is Zoom?
Zoom has been a dominant player in video conferencing since its 2013 launch, offering reliable, cross-platform meetings with minimal setup. It gained widespread adoption during the 2020 remote work surge and remains actively developed, with regular updates on Linux via Flatpak and native packages. Its core functionality—audio/video calls, screen sharing, and chat—is mature and stable.
It's best suited for professionals, educators, and teams who rely on scheduled or impromptu online meetings. Since many organizations use Zoom as their standard, individual users often adopt it to stay compatible. It's especially useful when joining calls hosted by others, regardless of the host's OS.
Compared to Microsoft Teams on Linux, Zoom feels more responsive and complete. Teams’ new AI-heavy interface is web-based and sluggish under Linux, while Zoom’s standalone client performs better. It lacks deep desktop integration but delivers a consistent, predictable experience similar to its Windows counterpart.
Best for: Teams and individuals who need a reliable, widely supported video conferencing tool on Linux.
Key features of Zoom
- Join and host video meetings with up to 500 participants
- Share screen or specific applications during calls
- Host webinars with registration and analytics
- Group messaging with file sharing
- Virtual backgrounds and touch-up appearance filters
- Call recording to local or cloud storage
- Keyboard shortcuts for mute, share, and leave
- Integration with calendar systems like Google and Outlook
Pros
- Stable, native Linux client with regular updates
- Excellent compatibility with Windows and macOS users
- Simple setup—works behind most firewalls
- Clear audio and video quality even on weak connections
- No need to run a full browser tab like with Teams
Cons
- Proprietary software with privacy considerations
- Limited desktop integration compared to native apps
- Some advanced features require paid plans
- Background processes may linger after exit
Windows programs Zoom replaces
How to install Zoom on Linux
flatpak install flathub us.zoom.ZoomTips for Windows users
If coming from Microsoft Teams, note that Zoom doesn't replace chat-as-a-workspace; it's focused on meetings. You’ll still need another app for persistent team chat. File sharing in Zoom is session-based, not collaborative like Teams’ files. Use the desktop client, not the web version, for best performance. Shortcuts like Ctrl+Alt+M (mute) are similar, but screen sharing is simpler—just click 'Share Screen' and pick your window.
Recent releases
- 7.2.1.5760 —
- 7.1.5.4332 —
- 7.0.5.3034 —
- 7.0.0.1666 —
Zoom: frequently asked questions
Can I use Zoom on Linux without installing?
Yes, you can join meetings via the web client in Chrome or Chromium, but you can't host or record without the desktop app. Full features require the native client.
Does Zoom for Linux support screen sharing?
Yes, screen sharing works reliably in the desktop client. On Wayland, you may need to use XWayland or enable experimental flags depending on your distro.
Is Zoom audio/video quality good on Linux?
Yes, Zoom performs well on Linux with minimal latency. Audio and video quality is comparable to Windows, assuming decent bandwidth and hardware.
Can I run Zoom on Wayland?
Zoom runs on Wayland but may fall back to XWayland for screen sharing. Some users report better results with X11 until full native support improves.
Updated