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BigBlueButton Logo

Open source web conferencing system for online learning

Last updated: January 2025

Table of Contents

BigBlueButton - 2025 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

What is BigBlueButton?

BigBlueButton is an open-source web collaboration software utilized by education organizations for e-learning and training. The software offers numerous options for customization and integration as per requirements of the users.

BigBlueButton enables users to conduct web-conferencing and share documents, audio and video files for online learning. The software’s “whiteboard” feature allows presenters to mark valuable topics in the presentation. In addition, its “polling” feature engages learners and helps the presenter to receive feedback. BigBlueButton’s “desktop sharing” feature extends beyonds slides and allows moderators to share their screen with the audience enabling a better understanding of topics.

BigBlueButton supports multiple users in a video conference with no cap on numbers of active webcams. The software also supports voice conferencing via Voice Over IP (VOIP) without additional hardware requirements.

Benefits of using BigBlueButton

BigBlueButton is an open-source software, so no capital expenditure is incurred on its deployment. Additionally, developers can customize its full source API and integrate it with IMS Learning Tools.
BigBlueButton assists in online learning via web-conferencing. Users can share documents, audio and video files for collaboration.
Presenters can showcase any PDF or Microsoft Office document and annotate important topics with BigBlueButton’s whiteboard feature.
Learners can interact with professors or fellow students via a private or public chat.
BigBlueButton allows users to record webinars and lectures for later playback for better understanding.
Other useful features of BigBlueButton are desktop sharing, polling, WebRTC (Web Real Time Communication) audio, and voice conferencing.

Starting from

Free

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BigBlueButton's key features

Most critical features, based on insights from BigBlueButton users:

Real-Time Chat
Virtual Classroom
Video Conferencing
Screen Sharing
File Sharing
Session Recording

All BigBlueButton features

Features rating:

Two-Way Audio & Video
Third-Party Integrations
Chat/Messaging
Conferencing
Surveys & Feedback
For Schools
HD Audio/Video
Live Chat
Real-time Broadcasting
Raise Hand
Recording
Presentation Tools
Private Chat
LMS Integration (LTI)
Presentation Streaming
Host Controls
Polls/Voting
Interactive Whiteboard
Breakout Rooms
Electronic Hand Raising
API
Parent/Student Portal
Online Classes
On-Demand Recording
Learning Management
Student Portal
Call Recording
Video Call Recording
Video Management
Video Streaming
Video Support
Whiteboard

BigBlueButton alternatives

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BigBlueButton pricing

Value for money rating:

Starting from

Free

Pricing details
Subscription
Free trial
Free plan
Pricing range

BigBlueButton integrations (34)

Integrations rated by users

We looked through 66 user reviews, to identify which products are mentioned as BigBlueButton integrations, and what is the users perception.

WordPress logo
WordPress

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

It is the base platform where we can publish the classes in a personalized LMS, with a plugin that helps manage the connection and access.

AvatarImg

Jhon Jaiver Supelano Rojas

Developer

CANVAS logo
CANVAS

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

Integration of the two is important because both are needed in the online classroom.

CS

Carolyn Stevenson

Faculty

Docker logo
Docker

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

Because BigBlueBotton can be hosted on its own system via Docker, ensuring data integrity.

MF

Marc Feger

Ph.D. Student (Computer Science)

Moodle logo
Moodle

Integration rating: 4.8 (6)

Chamilo logo
Chamilo

Integration rating: 5.0 (2)

Sakai LMS logo
Sakai LMS

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

Schoology logo
Schoology

Integration rating: 5.0 (1)

BigBlueButton support options

Typical customers

Freelancers
Small businesses
Mid size businesses
Large enterprises

Platforms supported

Web
Android
iPhone/iPad

Support options

FAQs/Forum
Chat
Knowledge Base

Training options

Videos
Documentation

BigBlueButton reviews

Overall rating

4.2

/5

66

Positive reviews

83

%

Rating breakdown
  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Features
  • Customer support
  • Likelihood to recommend8.02/10
Rating distribution

5

4

3

2

1

27

28

7

3

1

Pros
I love that BigBlueButton offers a strong, safe platform for all the users. I love the quick, clear concise connections and content available.
However this product has amazing features specially for virtual classrooms. For me this is very much better than Flagship products.
They came from a flash player into HTML5 with excellent sound, video and great presentational features (provided you have a stable internet connection).
Cons
The recordings changed the orientation of my slide images making all the notes I took on them useless and confusing.
It's just sad that most people don't know about it or are afraid to use it.
Not much customizable with out having issues with the setup. Recording of comnferences sometimes fails randomly.

BigBlueButton FAQs

Q. What type of pricing plans does BigBlueButton offer?

BigBlueButton has the following pricing plans:
Pricing model: Free, Open Source

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Q. Who are the typical users of BigBlueButton?

BigBlueButton has the following typical customers:
Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business, Non Profit, Public Administrations, Small Business


Q. What languages does BigBlueButton support?

BigBlueButton supports the following languages:
English, Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish, Turkish


Q. Does BigBlueButton offer an API?

Yes, BigBlueButton has an API available for use.


Q. What other apps does BigBlueButton integrate with?

BigBlueButton integrates with the following applications:
Drupal, Redmine, Moodle, WordPress, eFront, Schoology, Fedena, Docebo


Q. What level of support does BigBlueButton offer?

BigBlueButton offers the following support options:
FAQs/Forum, Chat, Knowledge Base

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