How to Set Up and Self-Host Jitsi Open Source for Video Conferencing

Video meetings are now part of daily business life. If you value privacy and want full control, Jitsi Open Source is a brilliant solution for hosting secure video conferencing on your own server. This guide will take you from installing Jitsi Meet to securing your setup—all in plain English and entirely doable by most IT beginners.

Why Choose Jitsi Open Source?

Jitsi Open Source stands out as a free, open-source platform that puts privacy first. You get:

• No user data collection: All video and audio stay on your server.
• End-to-end security: Industry-standard encryption for peace of mind.
• Cost savings: No expensive licensing fees.
• Customization: Tailor features and appearance to suit your needs.
• Community innovation: Benefit from worldwide open-source improvements.

Jitsi Open Source: Features at a Glance

• HD video and audio
• Screen sharing and meeting recording
• Password protection and user authentication
• Web, desktop, and mobile access
• Integration with Slack, Teams, CRM tools, and more

What You Need Before You Begin

• A server or VPS running Ubuntu 20.04 or later (Debian also supported).
• Recommended: 2 vCPUs, 4GB+ RAM, 25GB+ SSD, 1Gbps bandwidth.
• A domain name (e.g., meet.yoursite.com)
• Basic command line skills and SSH access

Step 1: Preparing Your Server Environment

1. Update your server for security and reliability. Log in using SSH:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install NGINX (recommended as the web server):

sudo apt install -y nginx

Step 2: Install Jitsi Meet

1. Add Jitsi’s repository key and repository:

wget -qO - https://download.jitsi.org/jitsi-key.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
echo "deb https://download.jitsi.org stable/" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jitsi-stable.list
sudo apt update

2. Install Jitsi Meet:

sudo apt install -y jitsi-meet

When prompted, enter your domain name.

Step 3: Secure Your Jitsi Server with SSL (Let’s Encrypt)

Protect your calls with encryption—Jitsi makes this easy:

sudo apt install -y certbot
sudo certbot --nginx -d yourdomain.com

Let’s Encrypt will automate the SSL certificate process for you.

Step 4: Firewall Configuration

Open ports for Jitsi to work (audio, video, and web traffic):

sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw allow 10000/udp
sudo ufw enable

Step 5: Test Your Jitsi Setup

Open your browser and visit https://yourdomain.com. Start a meeting to confirm everything is working: video, audio, and screen sharing.

Advanced Options: User Authentication & Recording

Only Allow Authorized Users to Create Meetings

1. Edit the Prosody config for your domain:

sudo nano /etc/prosody/conf.avail/yourdomain.com.cfg.lua
# Change: authentication = "anonymous" to authentication = "internal_hashed"

2. Configure Jicofo for authentication:

sudo nano /etc/jitsi/jicofo/sip-communicator.properties
# Add: org.jitsi.jicofo.auth.URL=XMPP:yourdomain.com

3. Restart Jitsi services:

sudo systemctl restart prosody jicofo jitsi-videobridge2 nginx

4. Add user accounts:

sudo prosodyctl register yourusername yourdomain.com yourpassword

This step prevents strangers from creating or joining meetings, reinforcing privacy and control.

Enable Meeting Recording with Jibri

To allow for meeting recordings:

sudo apt install jibri
# Configure as per the documentation (Jibri needs additional setup)

Record and stream your conferences as you like.

Practical Security Tips for Your Jitsi Open Source Server

• Use strong, unique passwords for server and meetings.
• Change the room name every session.
• Keep software updated.
• Limit server access via firewall and user permissions.

Key Benefits of Jitsi Open Source

• Freedom to host anywhere: On your own hardware or a cloud provider.
• Flexible integrations: Connect with scheduling, CRM, or messaging tools.
• Compliance: Control data storage and meet your organizational policy needs.
• Scalability: Add multiple servers for larger meetings when you grow.

Common Jitsi Open Source Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

• Not securing your server with SSL: Always use encrypted connections.
• Forgetting updates: Regularly update Jitsi and your server OS.
• Allowing anonymous creation of meetings: Enable user authentication for control.
• Underestimating server needs: Monitor performance and increase resources for larger meetings.

Integrating Jitsi with Other Platforms

Jitsi Open Source is compatible with:

• WebRTC browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
• Mobile apps (iOS, Android)
• Slack, Teams, and other productivity tools via plugins/integrations.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Video won’t load? Check if firewall ports are open.
• High latency? Upgrade your server specs or check for network issues.
• SSL errors? Re-run Certbot or double-check your domain settings.

Conclusion

Self-hosting Jitsi Open Source is a powerful way to regain privacy and control of your organization’s communications. With a few clear steps, you can set up your own secure meeting platform—no subscription required.

Ready to empower your team with secure, private video meetings? Set up your Jitsi server today and experience the freedom and flexibility of open source!

Looking for expert help with Jitsi Meet? Contact us today for professional Jitsi installation, customization, and ongoing support tailored to your needs.