Although they are no longer used as much as they were during the pandemic, they are still useful. That is why in this post we will see some titles of video conferencing programs for Linux.
Although Linux is compatible with Zoom and other proprietary alternatives, For privacy and cost reasons, it is possible that for cost and privacy reasons, an organization may be interested in setting up its own platform.
Video conferencing programs for Linux
Although video conferencing has been around since 1965, its use became popular among organizations after the fall of the Berlin Wall and globalization. A tool was needed that would allow communication between people located in different geographic regions so that they could see each other's faces.
Although originally participants would have to go to facilities especially dedicated to communication, with the appearance of the Internet and the increase in the processing power of computers, the possibility of making videoconferences became available to anyone.
However, private users opted for messaging or IP telephony clients such as ICQ, WhatsApp or Skype. We had to wait for the arrival of the pandemic and the need to find alternative ways of teaching, receiving treatments or doing business for this solution to become popular.
Proprietary solutions with clients for Linux
Zoom
This application born in 2012 became practically the default option for video conferencing soutperforming the alternatives of Google and Microsoft. All this despite the fact that their security policies were not the best.
The Linux client can be installed in Flatpak format with the command:
flatpak install flathub us.zoom.Zoom
Webex
It is one of the oldest solutions since the Cisco company began developing it in 1995. I used it in a couple of courses and personally I like it better than Zoom.
In addition to videoconferencing It has instant messaging and survey functions. Integrates with Microsoft 365 and Google Drive.
To install the client we must go to this page. In a few seconds the page will detect that we use Linux and will show us the corresponding download buttons. If it does not happen, we must look for other download options.
WebEx has versions for Ubuntu and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Open source solutions for video conferencing
Apache Open Meetings
The Apache Foundation is home to many open source projects, most of which are aimed at implementing cloud services and other tools used by system administrators. If by OpenMeetings It is a communication platform through voice and video that also allows collaborative work through multiple whiteboards and has a messaging client. Through third-party plugins it connects with some of the most popular content managers
However, it lacks mobile and desktop clients.
Jitsi
This platform video conferencing It is made up of several community projects that are articulated around two main projects: Jitsi Videobridge and Jitsi Meet.
On this platform, audio and video signals are not mixed before transmission, which improves quality and reduces latency. All communication is based on the open WebRTC protocol which makes it compatible with most browsers.
With applications for mobile devices and desktop, in addition to video conferences we can make audio calls, record video conferences and transmit them to third parties. It also has a presentation mode.
Jitsi is also offered as a cloud service on its own servers in exchange for a subscription.
Rocket.Chat
You We have the classic model of a free community version to install on your own server and a paid commercial version. More than a videoconferencing platform, it is a collaborative work platform.
Some of its benefits:
- Conducting videoconferences.
- Possibility of integrating chat into websites.
- Two-step authentication.
- Real-time translation.
- Encrypted communication.
- Different ways to interact.
- Support for third-party plugins that extend features.