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Best Linux alternatives to Microsoft Teams (new UI)

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration tool for messaging, video calls, and file sharing, often used in workplaces and schools with Office 365.

Updated

Quick answer

The best Linux alternative to Microsoft Teams (new UI) is Jitsi Meet. Other strong options: Element, Zoom.

3 Linux alternatives to Microsoft Teams (new UI)

  1. #1

    Jitsi Meet

    Open sourceFreeFlatpak↓ 1.2k/month
    10
    Jitsi Meet screenshot

    Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing client that connects to any Jitsi server for secure, account-free calls.

    Jitsi Meet is a solid replacement for Microsoft Teams (new UI) if your primary need is video conferencing with screen sharing and basic chat. It excels in simplicity, privacy, and ease of access—no accounts required, works in browsers, and supports end-to-end encryption. However, it lacks…

    Feature parity60%
  2. #2

    Element

    Open sourceFreeFlatpak↓ 7.6k/month
    9
    Element screenshot

    Element is an open‑source, matrix‑based chat and video‑conference client for Linux.

    Element is a capable replacement for Microsoft Teams (new UI) for users who prioritize privacy, decentralization, and open standards over tight Office 365 integration. It handles group video calls, persistent chat rooms, screen sharing, and cross-platform sync reliably. If your organization doesn’t…

    Feature parity75%
  3. #3

    Zoom

    Flatpak↓ 26k/month
    8
    Zoom screenshot

    Zoom is a proprietary video conferencing app for online meetings, webinars, and screen sharing with broad Linux support.

    Zoom is a solid replacement for Microsoft Teams (new UI) if your primary need is reliable video conferencing and screen sharing. It excels in call quality, ease of use, and cross-platform support, including full functionality on Linux. However, it lacks deep integration with Office 365 and…

    Feature parity70%

What is Microsoft Teams (new UI)?

Microsoft Teams is primarily used by businesses and educational institutions for team communication, video conferencing, and document collaboration. It integrates tightly with Office 365, making it common in corporate and academic environments. Users rely on it daily for meetings, chat, and shared workspaces.

Teams is free to use at a basic level, but full features require a Microsoft 365 subscription, which is paid per user per month. Organizations typically pay for licenses, while individuals may get limited access through their school or company. There's no standalone free version with full functionality.

People seek Linux alternatives because Teams has only partial native Linux support and lacks full feature parity on that platform. Some users prefer to avoid Microsoft's ecosystem, while others need lightweight, open-source tools that work reliably on Linux without workarounds.

What a replacement for Microsoft Teams (new UI) must do

  • Group video conferencing with screen sharing
  • Persistent chat and team channels
  • File sharing and collaboration
  • Integration with calendar and scheduling
  • Cross-platform availability
  • User presence and status indicators
  • Searchable message history

Can you run Microsoft Teams (new UI) on Linux?

Teams has a native Linux client (deb and rpm), but it's based on Electron and can be slow or unstable. The new UI is available on Linux, but some features like background blur or live captions may not work. Web version works well in Chrome or Edge. Performance under Wine or Proton is not recommended — use the native app or browser instead.

Which alternative should you choose?

Use Jitsi Meet for simple, no-login video meetings with screen sharing. Element suits teams wanting decentralized, secure chat with rooms and file sharing. Zoom is best if your contacts already use it and you need reliable video calls. Wireshark is not a Teams alternative — it's a network analyzer and listed here by mistake.

Moving your Microsoft Teams (new UI) files and habits

You can't directly export Teams chat history or files to other platforms. Save files manually from Teams to your local drive. Calendar events and contacts may sync via Outlook or Microsoft 365 export tools. Other apps use different formats and ecosystems, so full migration isn't possible — focus on transferring important documents and re-establishing communication elsewhere.

Side-by-side comparison

AppLicenseFlatpakLatest versionFeature parityRating
Jitsi MeetApache-2.0✓2026.8.060%—
ElementAGPL-3.0-only OR…✓1.12.3275%—
ZoomLicenseRef-proprietary✓7.2.1.576070%—

Microsoft Teams (new UI): frequently asked questions

Can I use Microsoft Teams on Linux?

Yes, there's a native Linux app and a web version. The desktop client works but can be resource-heavy. The web version in Chrome is often more reliable.

Is there a free alternative to Teams with video meetings?

Yes, Jitsi Meet offers free video conferencing with screen sharing and no account requirement. It supports up to 50 participants per room.

Can I replace Teams with Element?

Yes, if you prioritize chat and collaboration over tight Office integration. Element supports rooms, file sharing, and video calls via Jitsi.

Does Zoom on Linux support all features?

Zoom has a native Linux client with most features, including screen sharing and virtual backgrounds. Some advanced settings may be missing compared to Windows.

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