Video conferencing has become an essential component of eLearning. We will compare 2 major platforms Zoom vs BigBlueButton in various aspects to help you make an informed decision about which platform is best suited for your needs

Zoom: is renowned for its extensive feature set. It offers high-quality video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, chat functionality, recording capabilities, virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms. These features make Zoom suitable for both small team meetings and large-scale webinars or conferences. Zoom also provides various integrations with productivity tools like Google Calendar, Slack, and Microsoft Teams, allowing seamless collaboration.

BigBlueButton: Offers video conferencing capabilities, its primary focus is on online education and e-learning. It provides features tailored to virtual classrooms, such as real-time whiteboarding, presentation sharing, polling, note-taking, and breakout rooms. BigBlueButton’s integration with learning management systems (LMS) through LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) makes it compatible with popular platforms like Moodle, Canvas, and Blackboard.

Zoom: offers a range of pricing plans to cater to different user requirements. It includes a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans with additional functionalities. Zoom is widely accessible and available on various platforms, including desktop and mobile devices. Users can easily join Zoom meetings through web browsers or by downloading the Zoom client application.

BigBlueButton: is an open-source platform that is free to use. It can be self-hosted or used through a service provider. However, setting up and maintaining BigBlueButton may require technical expertise, as it involves server configuration and management. While the platform itself is free, there may be associated costs if you choose a service provider for hosting or support.

Zoom: has been continuously improving its security and privacy measures in response to user concerns. It offers features such as end-to-end encryption, waiting rooms, meeting passwords, and host controls to enhance security. Additionally, Zoom provides options for meeting administrators to control participant access and restrict certain features for added privacy.

BigBlueButton: also prioritizes security and privacy. It provides user authentication, encryption, and moderation controls within its platform. These features ensure that only authorized participants can access the virtual classroom, and the content shared remains secure. However, it’s essential to review the latest security practices and recommendations for both platforms, as security standards may evolve over time.

Zoom: has gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and ease of use. It offers an intuitive layout with straightforward controls, making it accessible to users with varying technical expertise. Zoom’s reliable video and audio quality, along with its robust features, contribute to a positive user experience.

BigBlueButton: While BigBlueButton’s interface may not be as widely familiar as Zoom’s, it is designed with educators and learners in mind. The platform prioritizes features that enhance the virtual classroom experience, such as real-time whiteboarding and note-taking. Although it may require a slight learning curve, BigBlueButton’s interface aims to facilitate online education and engagement.

Zoom: is known for its scalability and can accommodate large-scale meetings and webinars with thousands of participants. It provides flexible meeting capacity options, allowing organizations to scale their virtual events based on their needs.

BigBlueButton: is well-suited for smaller to medium-sized virtual classrooms or meetings. While it can handle a significant number of participants, it may have limitations in terms of scalability compared to Zoom’s large-scale capabilities.

Zoom: In addition to standard video conferencing features, Zoom offers interactive features like virtual hand-raising, live polling, Q&A sessions, and attendance tracking. These features promote engagement and interactivity during meetings and webinars.

BigBlueButton: focuses on interactive learning experiences. It offers features like real-time whiteboarding, breakout rooms for group discussions, shared note-taking, and polling, which encourage active participation and collaboration among students.

Zoom: has a user-friendly interface and requires minimal technical expertise to set up and use. It offers comprehensive documentation and a robust support system, including live chat, email support, and community forums.

BigBlueButton: being an open-source platform, may require more technical knowledge to set up and maintain. It involves server configuration and management, which can be challenging for users without technical expertise. However, the BigBlueButton community and forums provide support and resources for troubleshooting and guidance.

Zoom: has a vast ecosystem of integrations and third-party apps, allowing seamless integration with other tools and platforms. It integrates well with popular productivity tools, CRMs, learning management systems, and more, enhancing workflow efficiency and collaboration.

BigBlueButton: While BigBlueButton may have fewer integrations compared to Zoom, it offers robust integration with popular learning management systems through LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) standards. This integration allows for seamless integration with LMS platforms like Moodle, Canvas, and Blackboard, making it convenient for educational institutions already using these systems.

Both Zoom and BigBlueButton are powerful video conferencing platforms, but they cater to different needs and use cases. Zoom offers various features suitable for various scenarios, from small team meetings to large-scale conferences. It integrates well with productivity tools and provides a user-friendly interface.

On the other hand, BigBlueButton focuses on online education and provides features specifically designed for virtual classrooms. It integrates with popular learning management systems and prioritizes the needs of educators and learners.

When deciding between Zoom and BigBlueButton, consider your specific requirements, budget, technical expertise, and the nature of your use case.

We offer WordPress plugins for both Zoom and BigBlueButton. Have a look if you are interested in such an integration.

1. Zoom WordPress Plugin
2. Virtual Classroom with BigBlueButton