Running a remote-first business means living on video calls — it’s just part of the deal. Over the last few years, I’ve bounced between platforms, tried the trendy ones, cursed at laggy ones, and found a few gems. But two names keep coming up: Jitsi and Microsoft Teams.
If you’re caught in the decision-making loop — wondering which one to pick for your team, your students, or your clients — I’ve got you. I’ve used both tools extensively, and I’m sharing everything I’ve learned, from setup to real-life quirks, to help you decide.
What is Jitsi?
Jitsi is that quiet, underrated tool that does a lot more than people think.
It’s free, open-source, and it doesn’t ask you to create an account or download anything. You literally just share a link and boom — you’re in a call. When I first discovered Jitsi, it felt like finding a hidden passage behind a bookshelf.
The best part? You can run it on your own server. That means no one’s watching, tracking, or collecting data. For me, as someone who values digital privacy, that’s huge.
Key Highlights of Jitsi:
- No accounts or passwords — just a clean, easy link.
- You control everything (if you self-host).
- It works with cool tools like Excalidraw and Etherpad.
- No ads, no creepy trackers, no “Hey, we noticed you were talking about hiking boots…” moments.
“We moved to Jitsi during the pandemic to save on costs. Looking back, it was one of our smartest decisions.” — A happy client from our network
What is Microsoft Teams?
If Jitsi is the indie artist of video tools, Microsoft Teams is the polished stadium headliner.
It’s part of Microsoft 365, which means it’s deeply tied into Office apps — think Word, Excel, PowerPoint — and packed with features for larger organizations. Teams isn’t just about meetings; it’s a full-blown collaboration platform.
Key Highlights of Microsoft Teams:
- Everything syncs with Office tools.
- You can collaborate on documents during a call.
- It’s super reliable, especially for big teams.
- You get customer support and enterprise-level security.
If your business already uses Microsoft 365, Teams feels like a natural extension of that setup.
Jitsi vs Microsoft Teams: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Jitsi | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (forever) | Free version + Paid plans ($6/user/mo) |
| Setup Time | Instant (just share a link) | Requires account and setup |
| Privacy | High (self-host = full control) | Moderate (data stored by Microsoft) |
| Customization | Very flexible (open-source) | Limited to UI tweaks |
| Call Recording | Yes (via Jibri setup) | Yes (built-in for paid plans) |
| User Limit (Free) | No fixed cap (server-based) | 100 users |
| Integrations | Etherpad, Excalidraw, etc. | Word, Excel, SharePoint, Power BI |
What About the Cost?
I get it — budgets matter. Especially if you’re bootstrapping or running lean.
Jitsi Pricing:
- Public version (meet.jit.si): Totally free
- Self-hosted version: You only pay for your server and optional setup help.
- No per-user pricing. Ever.
Microsoft Teams Pricing:
- Free plan available, but with some limits.
- Paid plans start at $6/user/month.
- Includes Office apps like Word, Excel, OneDrive.
Privacy & Data: The Elephant in the Room
This is the part where Jitsi quietly wins.
If you don’t love the idea of your meetings being stored in someone else’s cloud — or if you work in health, law, or activism — then Jitsi gives you total peace of mind. Self-hosting means you own everything.
Teams is secure — but it’s still Microsoft’s cloud.
Ease of Use: Casual vs Corporate
This might sound weird, but I’d describe the experience like this:
- Jitsi is like texting a friend to hop on a quick call. Instant and casual.
- Teams is like stepping into a digital boardroom. Takes longer, but gives you structure and tools.
I use Jitsi for spontaneous calls, and Teams for long-term planning and document sharing.
Reliability & Performance
Both platforms hold up well:
- Jitsi: Handles small-to-medium calls beautifully. Scale it up with self-hosting.
- Teams: Built for reliability at scale. Microsoft’s infrastructure delivers.
Who Should Use What?
| You Are… | Choose Jitsi If… | Choose Teams If… |
|---|---|---|
| Startup Founder | You want freedom, flexibility, and no bills | You’re already using Microsoft 365 |
| Educator | You need fast, no-login access for students | Your school runs on Teams or Office 365 |
| Developer | You like tinkering and self-hosting | You rely on Excel/Word deeply integrated |
| Freelancer | You need quick, private meetings with clients | You frequently collaborate and share documents |
| IT Manager | You want full control over data and hosting | You need enterprise-ready tools and support |
Conclusion
There’s no single “winner” here — it’s all about what fits you.
Go with Jitsi if you care about:
- Simplicity
- Privacy
- Flexibility
- Zero subscription fees
Choose Teams if you need:
- Robust collaboration tools
- Office integration
- Enterprise-level performance and support
Still unsure? Try both. Trust me — you’ll know pretty quickly which one clicks for you.
Need help getting started with Jitsi?
I’ve helped several teams set up their own private Jitsi servers for secure, high-performance meetings. If you’re curious about that, just reach out. Always happy to help.