# Jitsi Meet Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 Open source video conferencing Category: Communication · Free · Open source · Replaces Zoom (paid plans) · [Official website](https://jitsi.org) ## Install with Homebrew `brew install --cask jitsi-meet` ## Quick take Jitsi Meet in August 2026 is the open-source video default that kept shipping: 2.0.11146 is current, Docker is rootless-ready, and JaaS pricing stays understandable at $99/$499/$999 MAU buckets with $0.99 overage. Use meet.jit.si for casual calls, self-host when identity or recordings cannot leave your network, or JaaS when you embed meetings in a product and want branding plus SLAs without paging on-call for bridges. Pick Zoom or Teams when corporate IT already standardised elsewhere and you need webinars or phone integration more than open-source control. Best for: Privacy Advocates, Open Source Enthusiasts, Distributed Developer Teams ## What is Jitsi Meet? Jitsi Meet is the leading open-source video conferencing stack under Apache-2.0. You can run browser meetings on meet.jit.si, self-host with Docker or Debian packages, use mobile and desktop clients, or buy 8x8's managed Jitsi as a Service (JaaS). The project is still shipping: stable web release 2.0.11146 landed 3 August 2026 with breakout-room mute flags, virtual-background V2 as the default engine unless you disable it, audio-translation UI work, and External API expansions. Docker tag stable-11146 followed the same day with Debian Trixie bases and rootless container work for hardened fleets.\n\nThe software license stays free. Public meet.jit.si is free to use (an account is required to start meetings per the project README). Self-hosting costs are your servers, bandwidth, TURN, and DevOps time. Managed JaaS pricing from 8x8 CPaaS (verified 2026) is: Developer free up to 25 monthly active users (MAU); Basic $99/mo up to 300 MAU; Standard $499/mo up to 1,500 MAU; Business $999/mo up to 3,000 MAU; Enterprise custom for 5k+; overage $0.99 per extra MAU. Per-minute add-ons cover PSTN, recording, RTMP, SIP, and transcription on the published tables.\n\nOn Mac, join from any modern browser or the Jitsi Meet desktop/Electron builds. Apple Silicon is fine on Tahoe 26.x. Competitors include Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and LiveKit-based stacks. Jitsi still wins when you need self-host privacy or embeddable SDK economics via JaaS instead of a locked enterprise seat model. For casual calls, meet.jit.si is enough. For regulated or high-volume product embeds, plan on self-host or a paid MAU bucket before you depend on the public bridge under load. ## Features - **Active 2.0.11146 Platform Drop (Aug 2026).** The 3 August 2026 stable tag adds breakout-room participant mute flags, defaults virtual background to the V2 engine unless disabled, expands External API participant property commands, and continues audio-translation UX for mobile. Docker images add rootless containers and Debian Trixie bases for hardened self-host fleets. - **End-to-End Encryption (E2EE).** E2EE uses the Insertable Streams API in WebRTC so media is encrypted on the sender and only recipients can decrypt it, not the server host. On macOS you toggle it from the meeting security controls. That setup fits confidential business calls, legal consults, and telehealth sessions where the content of the call must stay private even from the bridge operator. - **No Account Required.** Guests can host or join without registration, email verification, or a mandatory install. Share a unique meeting URL and people click in from the browser. That lowers friction for ad-hoc client calls and non-technical family joins. The macOS desktop app keeps the same URL flow in a dedicated window. - **Screen Sharing and Remote Control.** Share the full desktop, one app window, or a browser tab at frame rates that work for video playback demos. Remote Desktop Control lets an authorized participant move another user's mouse and keyboard after macOS accessibility permission is granted, which is useful for IT support and pair programming. - **Advanced Moderator Controls.** Hosts can mute everyone, remove disruptive users, require a meeting password, and use Lobby Mode as a waiting room before admission. Moderators can also lock cameras or mics for webinar-style sessions and large classrooms where the noise floor needs tight control. - **Collaborative Document Editing.** Etherpad sits inside the meeting UI so people can draft notes, agendas, or brainstorm text together without leaving the call. The pad is shared with attendees in the same session, so the written output is available as soon as the meeting ends. - **Recording and Live Streaming.** Record locally or send recordings to cloud storage such as Dropbox. RTMP streaming supports live broadcast to YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook Live, which helps town halls and lectures that need both a live audience and an archive. - **HD Audio with Opus Codec.** Opus scales from low-bitrate speech to higher-quality stereo, which keeps voices intelligible when bandwidth drops. The macOS client uses Core Audio for input and output processing, including echo cancellation and noise suppression comparable to paid commercial clients. - **8x8 JaaS Managed Pricing Tiers.** Teams that want Jitsi without operating SFUs can embed JaaS: free Developer (25 MAU), then fixed monthly buckets at $99 / $499 / $999 for 300 / 1,500 / 3,000 MAU, with $0.99 overage and a la carte telephony/recording/transcription minutes. ## How to Install Jitsi Meet on Mac Installing Jitsi Meet on macOS is straightforward. Use the official DMG from the GitHub Electron releases for a drag-and-drop install, or Homebrew for a one-line update path. Browser-only use needs no install: open meet.jit.si or your self-hosted URL. The desktop client is optional but handy if you join meetings daily and want a dedicated window with global shortcuts. 1. **Download via Homebrew (Recommended).** For most power users, Homebrew is the fastest method. Open your Terminal app and run the following command: `brew install --cask jitsi-meet`. This will automatically download the latest stable version (2026.4.0) and link it to your Applications folder. 2. **Manual Installation via DMG.** Visit the official Jitsi Meet Electron GitHub releases page. Download the latest `.dmg` file (e.g., `jitsi-meet.dmg`). Open the file and drag the Jitsi Meet icon into your Applications folder. 3. **Initial Launch and Permissions.** Open Jitsi Meet from your Applications folder or Spotlight. macOS may prompt you to verify the developer; click 'Open'. Upon joining your first meeting, grant permissions for Camera, Microphone, and Screen Recording when prompted. ## Pros - Truly free open-source meetings with optional public instance at meet.jit.si - Strong self-host story (Docker/Debian) for privacy-sensitive orgs, including rootless images in stable-11146 - Predictable JaaS MAU buckets for product embeds without per-minute surprise until overage hits - Rapid stable release pace, including the August 2026 2.0.11146 feature set - Works from the Mac browser without a mandatory fat client, with an optional Electron app for daily users ## Cons - Public meet.jit.si quality varies with load; serious orgs should self-host or buy JaaS - Self-hosting large meetings demands real WebRTC/TURN expertise - Consumer UX polish still trails Zoom/Meet for non-technical participants ## Analysis: Jitsi Meet Architecture & Ecosystem Jitsi Meet is a stack of open-source projects, not a single monolith. Knowing how the pieces fit helps you decide between meet.jit.si, self-hosting, and JaaS. ## FAQ ### Is Jitsi Meet truly free? The Jitsi Meet software and meet.jit.si are free. Self-hosting adds infrastructure cost only. If you want managed embedding via 8x8 JaaS, Developer is free to 25 MAU, then $99/$499/$999 monthly buckets for 300/1,500/3,000 MAU with $0.99 overage. ### Is Jitsi Meet secure? Yes. Jitsi Meet uses hop-by-hop encryption by default and offers full End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) as a toggleable feature via Insertable Streams. You do not need to hand over personal registration data to join a room on meet.jit.si. For the highest assurance, self-host or use JaaS and enable E2EE so the bridge operator cannot decrypt media. ### What is the participant limit? On the free public server, the soft limit is typically around 75-100 participants if you want usable performance. Self-host limits track your server bandwidth, CPU, and how many JVBs you run. Large meetings need real WebRTC and TURN planning, not just a single cheap VPS. ### Does Jitsi Meet have a time limit? No. Unlike Zoom's free tier, Jitsi Meet has no artificial time limits on calls. You can talk for as long as you like. ### Can I record meetings? Yes. You can record to a local file or stream out. Dropbox integration is a common path for cloud saving. Self-hosters often use Jibri for server-side recording and RTMP for live platforms. JaaS lists recording as a metered add-on on the published pricing tables. ### Do I need to install the app to join? No. Jitsi Meet is WebRTC-based, meaning it works perfectly in modern browsers like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. The desktop app is optional but recommended for frequent users. ### Does it work on Apple Silicon Macs? Yes. The Jitsi Meet Electron app runs on Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3) with solid performance and battery life. Browser joins on Safari or Chrome also work on Apple Silicon under Tahoe 26.x for standard WebRTC meetings. ### Can I use a virtual background? Yes, Jitsi Meet supports virtual backgrounds and background blurring to maintain privacy in your physical surroundings. ### What is the latest Jitsi Meet version? Stable web/deb line 2.0.11146 (3 August 2026) with matching docker-jitsi-meet stable-11146. Check jitsi-meet-release-notes and GitHub releases for newer tags. ### Does Jitsi Meet work on Mac? Yes. Use a current browser on macOS (Apple Silicon or Intel) or the desktop client. No special Tahoe blocker is reported for standard WebRTC joins. ### How is JaaS different from meet.jit.si? meet.jit.si is the public community service. JaaS is 8x8's commercial multi-tenant platform with branding, APIs, SLAs, and MAU-based billing for embedding meetings in your product. ## Sources - [Jitsi Meet](https://jitsi.org/meet) - [jitsi/jitsi-meet on GitHub](https://github.com/jitsi/jitsi-meet) - [Jitsi Meet web changelog](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jitsi/jitsi-meet-release-notes/master/CHANGELOG-WEB.md) - [docker-jitsi-meet releases](https://github.com/jitsi/docker-jitsi-meet/releases) - [Jitsi as a Service pricing](https://cpaas.8x8.com/en/pricing/jitsi-as-a-service-pricing/) - [Public Jitsi Meet service](https://meet.jit.si) - [Jitsi Meet self-hosting handbook](https://jitsi.github.io/handbook/docs/devops-guide/) ## Related - [Slack](https://bundl.run/apps/slack) - [Discord](https://bundl.run/apps/discord) - [Zoom](https://bundl.run/apps/zoom) - [WhatsApp](https://bundl.run/apps/whatsapp) - [Telegram](https://bundl.run/apps/telegram) - [Thunderbird](https://bundl.run/apps/thunderbird) - [Jitsi Meet vs Zoom](https://bundl.run/compare/jitsi-meet-vs-zoom) - [Jitsi Meet vs Google Meet](https://bundl.run/compare/jitsi-meet-vs-google-meet) - [Free alternative to Zoom](https://bundl.run/https:/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. 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