BigBlueButton

Virtual classroom software for teaching and learning online.

BigBlueButton is an open-source virtual classroom platform designed for teaching and learning, addressing the need for tools that support presentation, collaboration, and student assessment during live online sessions. Developed at Carleton University in 2007, it provides an alternative to general-purpose web conferencing by focusing on classroom-specific workflows.

Core features include screen sharing, document upload for PowerPoint, Word, PDF, and images, a multi-user whiteboard, breakout rooms, polling, shared notes, public and private chat, webcam video with custom backgrounds, hand raise, and emojis. It also offers a Learning Analytics Dashboard for tracking attendance, participation, and poll responses, along with AI-powered smart slides. BigBlueButton integrates natively or via plugin with learning management systems including Moodle, Canvas, Schoology, Sakai, Open edX, and others, with LTI support for platforms such as Desire2Learn and Blackboard.

It is intended for K–12, higher education, and other educational settings, as well as office hours and group collaboration. The software is open source, and the project offers commercial hosting and customization support options.

12 alternatives to BigBlueButton

Ranked by how well each tool replaces BigBlueButton: shared features, audience, price and popularity.

Blindside Networks
The BigBlueButton Experts in Online Learning
Covers 1 of 13 key features.
Open sourceScreen sharing
67 out of 100 matchContact sales
ClickMeeting
Webinar platform for live, automated and on-demand webinars
Covers 3 of 13 key features.
Free planScreen sharingBreakout roomsChat
65 out of 100 matchContact sales
Zoom
Video meetings, webinars, and phone calls in one place.
Covers 3 of 13 key features.
Free planScreen sharingBreakout roomsChat
65 out of 100 match$14.16/mo
Blackboard
Where great teaching finds its platform.
Covers 0 of 13 key features.
61 out of 100 match—
LearnCube
Award-winning virtual classroom software for teaching online.
Covers 1 of 13 key features.
Free planScreen sharing
61 out of 100 match$19/mo
Doxy.me
The Simple, Free, and Secure Telemedicine Platform
Covers 1 of 13 key features.
Free planScreen sharing
60 out of 100 matchContact sales
Livestorm
Webinar and video engagement platform for marketing, sales, training and internal comms
Covers 3 of 13 key features.
ChatScreen sharingBreakout rooms
60 out of 100 matchUsage-based
Webex
Enterprise meetings, calling and events from Cisco
Covers 3 of 13 key features.
Free planScreen sharingBreakout roomsChat
59 out of 100 match$14.50/mo
Zoom
One platform to connect
Covers 1 of 13 key features.
Free planScreen sharing
59 out of 100 matchFree
Lessonspace
Virtual classroom platform for online tutoring and teaching
Covers 2 of 13 key features.
Screen sharingChat
58 out of 100 match$9/mo
Google Meet
Video meetings in Google Workspace
Covers 3 of 13 key features.
Free planScreen sharingBreakout roomsChat
58 out of 100 match$7/mo
Moodle
Online learning, delivered your way
Covers 0 of 13 key features.
Free planOpen source
57 out of 100 matchContact sales