BigBlueButton vs Neko: which one to choose in 2026?
Both are open source alternatives to Zoom. We compare license, tech stack and features to help you decide which fits your team best.
| BigBlueButton | Neko | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Video Conferencing | Video Conferencing |
| License | LGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| GitHub stars | 5k | 9k |
| Tech stack | Java, HTML5, WebRTC | Go, WebRTC, GStreamer |
| Replaces | Zoom | Zoom |
Neko has more GitHub stars, which usually indicates a larger community (not necessarily that it's the best option for your use case).
BigBlueButton
Education-focused video conferencing, an alternative to Zoom.
Pros
- The most complete option for educational use cases
Things to consider
- Production installation is more complex than a simple docker-compose
Neko
Shared streaming virtual browser, for watch parties and collaboration.
Pros
- A unique use case Zoom doesn't cover well (a real shared browser)
Things to consider
- Not a general substitute for work video calls
Key features
BigBlueButton
- Multi-user collaborative whiteboard
- Breakout rooms
- Polls and class recording
Neko
- Real-time shared browser
- Built-in voice and text chat
- Ideal for watch parties or remote tech support