In the realm of digital communication, selecting the right conferencing tool is crucial for seamless and productive virtual interactions. Google Meet and Jitsi Meet have emerged as popular choices, each offering distinct features that cater to various user needs. Google Meet, a product of the tech giant Google, is known for its integration with other Google services and robust security measures. On the other hand, Jitsi Meet, an open-source platform, prides itself on flexibility and ease of use without the need for user accounts. This article will delve into the strengths and weaknesses of both platforms, providing a comparative analysis to help you make an informed decision for your conferencing requirements.
General Information
Google Meet, developed by Google, was released in 2017. It is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Web. This makes it highly accessible for users across different devices.
Jitsi Meet, on the other hand, is developed by 8×8 and has been around since 2003. Like Google Meet, it supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Web platforms, ensuring broad compatibility.
Both apps offer robust support across major operating systems and devices, making them versatile choices for video conferencing needs.
Verdict:
Google Meet is better due to its more recent release date and backing by Google.
| Attribute |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Developer/Company | 8×8 (Jitsi) | |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2003 |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web |
Core Features
Google Meet and Jitsi Meet both offer robust core features for video conferencing.
In terms of video quality, both platforms provide HD video, ensuring clear and sharp visuals during meetings. This makes either option suitable for professional and personal use where high-definition video is essential.
When it comes to audio quality, both Google Meet and Jitsi Meet deliver high-quality audio. This ensures that participants can hear each other clearly, which is crucial for effective communication in any meeting setting.
Overall, both Google Meet and Jitsi Meet stand out with their HD video and high audio quality, making them reliable choices for video conferencing needs.
Verdict:
Both Google Meet and Jitsi Meet offer HD video and high audio quality, making them equally good in core features.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Video Quality | HD | HD |
| Audio Quality | High | High |
Interactive demos of Google Meet and Jitsi Meet
Google Meet Demo
Jitsi Meet Demo
Collaboration Tools
Google Meet and Jitsi Meet offer different features for collaboration.
Participants (Free): Google Meet allows up to 100 participants, while Jitsi Meet offers unlimited participants.
Participants (Paid): Google Meet supports up to 250 participants in its paid plans, whereas Jitsi Meet continues to offer unlimited participants.
Meeting Duration (Free): Google Meet has a 60-minute limit for free meetings, but Jitsi Meet provides unlimited meeting duration.
Screen Sharing: Both Google Meet and Jitsi Meet support screen sharing.
Recording: Google Meet offers recording in its paid plans, but Jitsi Meet does not provide recording features.
Virtual Backgrounds: Google Meet supports virtual backgrounds, while Jitsi Meet does not have this feature.
Verdict:
Jitsi Meet is better for collaboration tools due to unlimited participants and meeting duration, despite lacking recording and virtual backgrounds.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Participants (Free) | 100 | Unlimited |
| Participants (Paid) | 250 | Unlimited |
| Meeting Duration (Free) | 60 minutes | Unlimited |
| Screen Sharing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Recording | ✅ Yes (paid plans) | ❌ No |
| Virtual Backgrounds | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Integration and Compatibility
Google Meet and Jitsi Meet are popular conferencing apps with distinct features. Both offer in-meeting chat, file sharing, and support for polls and Q&A. However, they differ in several key areas.
Google Meet does not support breakout rooms, while Jitsi Meet does. This makes Jitsi Meet more suitable for sessions requiring smaller group discussions. For whiteboarding, neither app provides this feature.
Meeting notes are available in Google Meet but not in Jitsi Meet, which can be a deciding factor for users who need to keep track of discussions. Google Meet integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, enhancing productivity for users within this ecosystem. Jitsi Meet lacks this integration but compensates with its support for breakout rooms.
Neither app integrates with Microsoft 365, but both support third-party app integrations and offer API availability, allowing for customization and extended functionality.
Scores:
In-meeting Chat: Yes vs Yes
File Sharing: Yes vs Yes
Breakout Rooms: No vs Yes
Polls and Q&A: Yes vs Yes
Whiteboarding: No vs No
Meeting Notes: Yes vs No
Google Workspace Integration: Yes vs No
Microsoft 365 Integration: No vs No
Third-party Apps Integration: Yes vs Yes
API Availability: Yes vs Yes
Verdict:
Google Meet is better due to Google Workspace Integration and Meeting Notes.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| In-meeting Chat | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| File Sharing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Breakout Rooms | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Polls and Q&A | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Whiteboarding | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Meeting Notes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Google Workspace Integration | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Microsoft 365 Integration | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Third-party Apps Integration | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| API Availability | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Security and Privacy
Google Meet and Jitsi Meet both offer strong security and privacy features.
End-to-End Encryption: Both Google Meet and Jitsi Meet provide end-to-end encryption, ensuring that communications are secure and private.
Password Protection: Both platforms support password protection, allowing hosts to secure meetings with a password.
Waiting Room: Google Meet includes a waiting room feature, enabling hosts to control who enters the meeting. Jitsi Meet does not offer this feature.
Participant Authentication: Both Google Meet and Jitsi Meet require participant authentication, ensuring that only authorized users can join the meeting.
Data Compliance: Both services comply with GDPR regulations, ensuring that user data is handled according to strict privacy standards.
Verdict:
Google Meet is better due to its Waiting Room feature.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| End-to-End Encryption | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Password Protection | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Waiting Room | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Participant Authentication | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Data Compliance | GDPR | GDPR |
User Experience
Google Meet and Jitsi Meet both offer a high ease of use, making them accessible for users of all technical levels. Google Meet features a clean UI design, providing a streamlined and professional look. Jitsi Meet, on the other hand, offers a simple UI design, which is straightforward and easy to navigate.
Both apps support mobile functionality, allowing users to join meetings from their smartphones or tablets. This ensures flexibility and convenience for on-the-go conferencing.
In terms of accessibility, both Google Meet and Jitsi Meet are well-equipped, ensuring that users with different needs can participate in meetings without barriers.
Customer support is where the two differ significantly. Google Meet provides support through email and phone, offering direct and personalized assistance. Jitsi Meet relies on community support, which can be helpful but may not provide the immediate response some users require.
Verdict:
Google Meet is better due to its clean UI design and comprehensive customer support options.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | High | High |
| UI Design | Clean | Simple |
| Mobile Functionality | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Accessibility | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Customer Support | Email, Phone | Community support |
Pricing
Google Meet and Jitsi Meet both offer free tiers, making them accessible for basic use without any cost.
Google Meet provides several paid plans: $6/month for the Business Starter plan, $12/month for the Business Standard plan, and $18/month for the Business Plus plan. These plans offer additional features and capabilities beyond the free tier. Google Meet also offers a free trial, allowing users to explore the paid features before committing to a subscription.
Jitsi Meet, on the other hand, is entirely free and open-source. There are no paid plans, making it a cost-effective option for users who need a conferencing solution without any financial commitment. However, Jitsi Meet does not offer a free trial, as all its features are available at no cost from the start.
In summary:
– Free Tier Availability: Yes vs Yes
– Paid Plans: $6/month, $12/month, $18/month vs Free (Open Source)
– Free Trial Availability: Yes vs No
Verdict:
Jitsi Meet is better due to being completely free and open source.
Performance
Google Meet and Jitsi Meet both offer high performance for video conferencing needs.
Reliability: Both Google Meet and Jitsi Meet score high in reliability, ensuring stable connections and minimal disruptions during calls.
Latency: Both platforms maintain low latency, providing smooth and real-time communication without noticeable delays.
Resource Usage: Both apps are efficient in resource usage, making them suitable for a wide range of devices without causing significant slowdowns.
High Traffic Feedback: User feedback is positive for both Google Meet and Jitsi Meet under high traffic conditions, indicating that both can handle large numbers of participants effectively.
In summary, Google Meet and Jitsi Meet are comparable in performance, excelling in reliability, latency, resource usage, and handling high traffic efficiently.
Verdict:
Both Google Meet and Jitsi Meet are equally good in terms of performance.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | High | High |
| Latency | Low | Low |
| Resource Usage | Low | Low |
| High Traffic Feedback | Positive | Positive |
Unique Selling Points
Google Meet offers seamless integration with Google Workspace, making it an excellent choice for users already embedded in the Google ecosystem. One standout feature is live captions, which enhance accessibility and ensure that participants can follow along even in noisy environments.
Jitsi Meet, on the other hand, is free and open-source, appealing to users who prioritize transparency and customization. It is fully encrypted, providing a high level of security for all communications. Additionally, Jitsi Meet imposes no meeting time limits, making it ideal for extended sessions without interruptions.
In summary, Google Meet excels with its Google Workspace integration and live captions, while Jitsi Meet stands out with its open-source nature, strong encryption, and unlimited meeting durations.
Verdict:
Google Meet is better for seamless Google Workspace integration and live captions. Jitsi Meet excels in being free, open-source, and fully encrypted.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Key Features and Differentiators | Seamless Google Workspace integration, live captions | Free and open-source, fully encrypted, no meeting time limits |
User Feedback and Reviews
Google Meet and Jitsi Meet both have their unique strengths and weaknesses based on user feedback and reviews.
Google Meet is praised for its seamless integration with Google services and its simplicity. Users appreciate how easy it is to use, especially within the Google ecosystem. However, some users feel it lacks advanced features compared to other conferencing apps.
Jitsi Meet, on the other hand, is highly rated for being open-source and free. Users value its encryption, lack of time limits, and the fact that it is open-source. However, it requires self-hosting for full control, which can be a drawback for some. Additionally, it has limited customer support.
Overall Ratings:
Google Meet: Praised for integration with Google services and simplicity. Some users find it lacks advanced features.
Jitsi Meet: Highly rated for being open-source and free.
Pros:
Google Meet: Integration with Google services, ease of use.
Jitsi Meet: Free, open-source, encrypted, no time limits.
Cons:
Google Meet: Lacks some advanced features compared to competitors.
Jitsi Meet: Requires self-hosting for full control, limited customer support.
Verdict:
Google Meet is better for ease of use and integration; Jitsi Meet excels in being free, open-source, and encrypted.
| Attribute | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Ratings | Praised for integration with Google services and simplicity. Some users find it lacks advanced features. | Highly rated for being open-source and free |
| Pros | Integration with Google services, ease of use | Free, open-source, encrypted, no time limits |
| Cons | Lacks some advanced features compared to competitors | Requires self-hosting for full control, limited customer support |
Final Verdict
Google Meet and Jitsi Meet both offer robust core features with HD video and high audio quality. In terms of security, Google Meet edges out with its Waiting Room feature. For user experience, Google Meet stands out with its clean UI design and comprehensive customer support. However, Jitsi Meet is entirely free and open-source, making it a cost-effective option.
Final Verdict: Google Meet is better overall due to its superior security features, user experience, and customer support, despite Jitsi Meet’s advantage
