BigBlueButton vs Hangouts Comparison

Compare features to find which solution is best for your needs.

BigBlueButton

BigBlueButton is a powerful open-source web conferencing system designed for online learning and collaboration. It offers robust features like video conferencing, screen sharing, a multi-user whiteboard, breakout rooms, and polling, making it an ideal platform for virtual classrooms and team meetings. by BigBlueButton Inc.

Open Source

Categories:

Available for:

Linux Self-Hosted

Alternatives Details Website

Hangouts

Google Hangouts was a versatile communication platform offering instant messaging, voice and video calls, and SMS capabilities directly from web browsers and mobile devices. Integrated deeply with Gmail and other Google services, it provided a convenient way to connect and collaborate across various platforms. by Google

Free

Categories:

Available for:

Windows Online Android iPhone Chrome OS Android Tablet iPad Google Chrome Android Wear

Alternatives Details Website

Summary

BigBlueButton and Hangouts are both powerful solutions in their space. BigBlueButton offers bigbluebutton is a powerful open-source web conferencing system designed for online learning and collaboration. it offers robust features like video conferencing, screen sharing, a multi-user whiteboard, breakout rooms, and polling, making it an ideal platform for virtual classrooms and team meetings., while Hangouts provides google hangouts was a versatile communication platform offering instant messaging, voice and video calls, and sms capabilities directly from web browsers and mobile devices. integrated deeply with gmail and other google services, it provided a convenient way to connect and collaborate across various platforms.. Compare their features and pricing to find the best match for your needs.

Pros & Cons Comparison

BigBlueButton

Pros

Robust features tailored for online learning and interactive meetings.
Open source providing self-hosting option for control and customization.
Participants can join directly from a web browser with no software install.
Comprehensive set of interactive tools like whiteboard and polling.
Supports breakout rooms for small group activities.
Ability to record sessions for later access.

Cons

Requires technical expertise for self-hosting and management.
User interface can be busy due to the wealth of features.
Performance can be dependent on server resources and network.

Hangouts

Pros

Strong integration with Gmail and other Google services.
Supports multiple communication methods in one app.
Seamless conversation synchronization across devices.
Free to use with an existing Google account.
Allows sending and receiving SMS from a computer.

Cons

Development and focus shifted to other Google products.
User interface could be less intuitive for some compared to competitors.
Some features were eventually transitioned or deprecated.
Reliability of calls or video could occasionally be dependent on network conditions.