Lib-Jitsi-Meet vs OpenVidu
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted video conferencing options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Lib-Jitsi-Meet | OpenVidu |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 84 · Excellent | 86 · Excellent |
| Category | Video Conferencing | Video Conferencing |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Hard |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | source | docker, kubernetes, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,420 | ★ 2,131 |
| First released | 2015 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Twilio Video | Twilio Video, Agora |
What are Lib-Jitsi-Meet and OpenVidu?
Lib-Jitsi-Meet
Lib-Jitsi-Meet is the low-level JavaScript library used to build custom video conferencing applications on top of a self-hosted Jitsi Videobridge. It handles WebRTC signaling and media management.
- Build custom Jitsi video apps
- WebRTC signaling library
- Works with self-hosted Jitsi
OpenVidu
OpenVidu is a platform for adding real-time video calls and conferencing to applications, built on top of WebRTC and mediasoup. It provides server components and client SDKs for building custom video products.
- WebRTC video infrastructure
- Recording and broadcasting
- Client SDKs for web and mobile
- Scalable media routing
Lib-Jitsi-Meet vs OpenVidu: key differences
Both projects are written in TypeScript. Lib-Jitsi-Meet is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for OpenVidu. Lib-Jitsi-Meet is the more established project (first released 2015), while OpenVidu arrived in 2017. OpenVidu lists first-class Docker deployment; Lib-Jitsi-Meet does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Lib-Jitsi-Meet if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Active community (1.4k GitHub stars)
- Written in TypeScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Choose OpenVidu if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Kubernetes-ready with Helm charts available
- Active community (2.1k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is Lib-Jitsi-Meet or OpenVidu better?
Neither is universally better. OpenVidu has the larger community; both share a hard setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Lib-Jitsi-Meet and OpenVidu free and open-source?
Yes. Lib-Jitsi-Meet is licensed under Apache-2.0 and OpenVidu under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Lib-Jitsi-Meet and OpenVidu with Docker?
Lib-Jitsi-Meet: check the project docs for container support. OpenVidu: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Lib-Jitsi-Meet or OpenVidu?
Lib-Jitsi-Meet has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 2,048 MB for OpenVidu. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.