BigBlueButton vs Google Meet: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between BigBlueButton and Google Meet comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Google Meet is our overall pick for video conferencing workflows. Pick BigBlueButton if you need virtual classrooms.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
BigBlueButton
A purpose-built virtual classroom empowering teachers and learners with engaging tools.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need virtual classrooms features specifically
- • Purpose-built virtual classroom for online education.
- • Offers integrated tools for engagement, assessment, and collaboration.
Google Meet
Seamless video meetings for Google Workspace users
Best for you if:
- • You need video conferencing features specifically
- • Video calls for remote teams
- • Calendar integration joins meetings automatically
| At a Glance |  BigBlueButton |  Google Meet |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | $7/moBusiness Starter |
Best For | Virtual Classrooms | Video Conferencing |
Rating | - | - |
Choose BigBlueButton or Google Meet?
Choose BigBlueButton if
A purpose-built virtual classroom empowering teachers and learners with engaging tools.
- Designed specifically for educational pedagogy, not just general conferencing.
- Deeply integrated with leading Learning Management Systems (LMS).
- Offers live analytics to gauge student engagement and identify struggling learners.
- You want a fully free tool (Google Meet requires payment)
- Your work is virtual classrooms-shaped, not video conferencing-shaped
Choose Google Meet if
Seamless video meetings for Google Workspace users
- Free for personal use
- Google integration
- Simple interface
- Your work is video conferencing-shaped, not virtual classrooms-shaped
| Feature | BigBlueButton | Google Meet |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 93 reviews | ★4.5/5 15,986 reviews |
| Categories | Virtual ClassroomsEducation & Learning | Video ConferencingCommunication |
In-Depth Analysis
BigBlueButton
A purpose-built virtual classroom empowering teachers and learners with engaging tools.
Strengths
- +Designed specifically for educational pedagogy, not just general conferencing.
- +Deeply integrated with leading Learning Management Systems (LMS).
- +Offers live analytics to gauge student engagement and identify struggling learners.
- +Open-source, allowing for customization and self-hosting.
- +Supports a wide range of interactive features for student engagement.
Weaknesses
- -Requires self-hosting or commercial support for deployment and maintenance.
- -May have a learning curve for new users unfamiliar with its specific educational tools.
- -Reliance on third-party hosting or self-management might be a barrier for some institutions.
Key features
Google Meet
Seamless video meetings for Google Workspace users
Strengths
- +Free for personal use
- +Google integration
- +Simple interface
Weaknesses
- -Limited features on free
- -Requires Google account
Key features
Pricing: BigBlueButton vs Google Meet
| Plan | BigBlueButton | Google Meet |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $7 Business Starter |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $14 Business Standard |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $22 Business Plus |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on BigBlueButton pricing and Google Meet pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
BigBlueButton is free. Google Meet is freemium.
Go with: BigBlueButton
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: BigBlueButton
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Google Meet
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
BigBlueButton is free. Google Meet is freemium. Go with BigBlueButton if free matters most.
What's your use case?
BigBlueButton is a virtual classrooms tool. Google Meet is in video conferencing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Google Meet
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (15,986 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
BigBlueButton
- Completely free
- Better fit for virtual classrooms
The Bottom Line
Google Meet is our pick. That said, BigBlueButton is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BigBlueButton or Google Meet better?
Google Meet is rated in our evaluation. BigBlueButton is free and Google Meet is freemium.
What are BigBlueButton and Google Meet used for?
BigBlueButton: A purpose-built virtual classroom empowering teachers and learners with engaging tools.. Google Meet: Seamless video meetings for Google Workspace users.
What does BigBlueButton cost vs Google Meet?
BigBlueButton is completely free. Google Meet is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.