If you’ve ever wanted to add video calls to your website or mobile app but had no idea where to start, you’re not alone. A few months ago, I faced the same challenge while building an online coaching platform. I needed a private, easy-to-use video meeting solution something that didn’t cost a fortune or force users to sign up.
That’s when I found Jitsi Meet, and honestly, it was a game-changer.
Let me show you exactly how you can use Jitsi Meet to add live video meetings to your own site or app. I’ll keep the tech jargon to a minimum, share my real experience, and walk you through different ways to get started—fast and free.
What is Jitsi Meet?
Jitsi Meet is a free, open-source tool that lets you run video meetings right from a browser—no downloads or accounts needed. You can think of it like Zoom, but without the limits and tracking. You can either use their public version at meet.jit.si or host it on your own server for complete control.
Main features include:
- One-click video meetings
- Screen sharing
- Chat and participant management
- Recordings (with an extra setup)
- No account required
- Completely free
And best of all, you can customize it for your brand, which is what I did for my own project.
Why I Chose Jitsi Meet for My Project
When I was searching for a video solution, I looked at Zoom, Google Meet, and a few others. But most of them required subscriptions, logins, or didn’t allow much customization.
Here’s why Jitsi stood out to me:
- I didn’t have to ask users to register or download anything.
- It worked perfectly inside a web browser.
- I could change the interface and features.
- It was free—and I mean completely free.
- It was easy to set up, even for someone like me who’s not a full-time developer.
How to Add Jitsi Meet to Your Website or App (3 Simple Ways)
I’ll break this down based on your skill level and how much control you want.
Option 1: The Quick & Easy Embed (No Coding Required)
If you just want a working video room on your website and don’t need customization, this method is perfect.
Just copy and paste this into your HTML:
<iframe
src="https://meet.jit.si/MyMeetingRoom"
width="100%"
height="600"
allow="camera; microphone; fullscreen; display-capture"
style="border: 0;"></iframe>
Replace MyMeetingRoom with any name you like.
It’s great for:
Coaching or consultation calls
Classroom sessions
Internal team check-ins
Option 2: More Control with Jitsi Meet’s External API
If you’re building a real product and want to control how the meeting works or looks, use the JavaScript API.
This is what I used for my platform.
<div id="jitsi-container"></div>
<script src='https://meet.jit.si/external_api.js'></script>
<script>
const api = new JitsiMeetExternalAPI("meet.jit.si", {
roomName: "MySecureRoom",
width: "100%",
height: 600,
parentNode: document.querySelector('#jitsi-container'),
userInfo: {
displayName: "Alex"
}
});
</script>
You can:
Pre-fill the user’s name
Hide certain buttons
Track events like join/leave
Build custom features around the meeting
Best method for frameworks like: React, Vue, or Next.js
Option 3: Self-Hosting Jitsi Meet (Advanced, But Worth It)
If you care about privacy or want full control, you can install Jitsi Meet on your own server.
I won’t lie—this part takes a bit more setup, but it’s doable with basic Linux knowledge.
Quick overview:
Use Ubuntu 22.04
Point your domain (like meet.myapp.com)
Run:
sudo apt install jitsi-meet
With a self-hosted setup, you can:
Lock rooms with passwords or JWT tokens
Enable call recording with Jibri
Connect to SIP or phone lines using Jigasi
I’ve helped a few clients (including a remote healthcare app) set this up, and once it’s running, it just works.
Security Tips You Should Know
Whether you use the public server or host your own, keep these in mind:
Always use unique room names
Enable JWT authentication if possible (especially for apps with login systems)
Disable features you don’t need (like recording or chat)
Use HTTPS—never go live without it
What About Mobile Apps?
Good news—Jitsi offers native SDKs for iOS and Android. You can build a custom video call app or embed it in your existing one.
If you don’t want to build from scratch, use a WebView and point it to your meeting URL—it’s a simple workaround that works surprisingly well.
Quick Checklist for Your Jitsi Integration
Decide if you need quick embed or full control
Pick a unique room name
Secure your meeting (password or JWT)
Customize UI if needed
Test on desktop and mobile
Track events if using API
Monitor performance if self-hosting
Conclusion: Should You Use Jitsi Meet?
If you’re building a platform and want fast, secure, and customizable video features, Jitsi Meet is one of the best options out there—and it won’t cost you anything.
From quick embeds to full backend control, it scales with your needs. I’ve used it myself and seen others thrive with it too.
Ready to integrate Jitsi Meet into your project? Start small, test things out, and reach out if you need help!