Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

BigBlueButton VS Groupboard

Compare BigBlueButton VS Groupboard and see what are their differences

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BigBlueButton logo BigBlueButton

Engage Your Online Students. BigBlueButton is a web conferencing system designed for online learning.

Groupboard logo Groupboard

Free collaborative online whiteboard, web conferencing and online tutoring software that can be embedded in your own website. Used by many online tutors, schools and universities.
  • BigBlueButton Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-12
  • Groupboard Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-22

Groupboard is a free online whiteboard that can easily be embedded into your own website, customized, and optionally self-hosted on your own server.

BigBlueButton features and specs

  • Open Source
    BigBlueButton is an open-source web conferencing system, which means it can be freely used, studied, and modified by anyone. This allows extensive customization and potential cost savings.
  • Educational Features
    The platform is tailored for online learning with features such as real-time sharing of audio, video, slides (with whiteboard controls), and screens. It also supports breakout rooms, public and private chat, and polling, which are essential for a dynamic learning environment.
  • Integrations
    BigBlueButton integrates well with major learning management systems (LMS) like Moodle, Canvas, and Sakai, which helps educational institutes seamlessly incorporate it into their existing systems.
  • Scalability
    The platform is built to scale, making it suitable for small classes as well as large lectures. Institutions can deploy BigBlueButton on their own servers to meet their scale and performance requirements.
  • Security and Privacy
    As users can host BigBlueButton on their own servers, they have greater control over data privacy and security, ensuring compliance with institutional and legal standards.

Possible disadvantages of BigBlueButton

  • Technical Complexity
    Setting up and maintaining BigBlueButton requires technical expertise. This might be a challenge for institutions or individuals without sufficient IT resources.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running a BigBlueButton server can be resource-intensive. It requires a dependable server infrastructure and can consume significant bandwidth, which might not be feasible for all users.
  • User Interface
    While functional, the user interface of BigBlueButton may not be as polished or intuitive as some commercial alternatives, potentially leading to a steeper learning curve for new users.
  • Mobile Experience
    The mobile experience is not as robust as desktop usage. Although it is improving, some users might find limitations or feel that it lags behind competitors that have dedicated mobile apps.
  • Limited Market Penetration
    BigBlueButton is less known compared to other commercial solutions like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. This lower market penetration might lead to hesitation or resistance from users unfamiliar with the platform.

Groupboard features and specs

  • Real-Time Collaboration
    Groupboard allows multiple users to collaborate in real time, making it suitable for educational and business environments where instant feedback and communication are crucial.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The tool is accessible from a wide range of devices and operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, offering flexibility and convenience for users.
  • Ease of Use
    Groupboard features a user-friendly interface that can be easily navigated, even by users with limited technical skills, minimizing the learning curve.
  • Customization Options
    Users can customize the board to suit their specific needs by altering the design, layout, and available tools, which can enhance usability and engagement.
  • Integrations
    Groupboard can be integrated with various learning management systems and other platforms, expanding its utility and seamlessness in professional settings.

Analysis of BigBlueButton

Overall verdict

  • BigBlueButton is generally regarded as a strong option for educational institutions seeking a reliable and cost-effective online conferencing tool. Its focus on educational features, combined with the flexibility and adaptability afforded by its open-source nature, makes it a solid competitor against proprietary solutions.

Why this product is good

  • BigBlueButton is an open-source web conferencing system designed for online learning. It's tailored to provide a seamless virtual classroom experience with features like real-time sharing of audio, video, chat, presentation, and screen. Additionally, it includes tools like polling, multi-user whiteboard, and breakout rooms, which are essential for interactive learning sessions. The software has consistent updates and a supportive community enhancing its functionality and addressing security and usability concerns.

Recommended for

    BigBlueButton is particularly recommended for schools, universities, and educational organizations looking for a tailored e-learning platform. It's also a worthwhile consideration for any institution or organization that prefers open-source solutions and needs comprehensive hosting control and customization options.

Analysis of Groupboard

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Groupboard is a good choice for those seeking a straightforward, effective online whiteboard and collaboration tool. Its simplicity and real-time collaboration features make it highly valued among educators and teams that require an interactive workspace.

Why this product is good

  • Groupboard is considered a reliable online collaboration tool due to its real-time whiteboard capabilities, ease of use, and platform versatility. It allows multiple users to interact simultaneously, making it ideal for remote education, tutoring, and team collaboration.

Recommended for

  • Educators seeking a virtual whiteboard for distance learning
  • Tutors who require a platform to visually communicate complex concepts
  • Teams needing a simple tool for brainstorming and visual collaboration
  • Artists and designers who want to sketch or annotate together in real time
  • Anyone looking for a cross-platform solution that works on different devices

BigBlueButton videos

BigBlueButton Overview: Viewer

More videos:

  • Review - Using Conferences / BigBlueButton in Canvas Instructure

Groupboard videos

No Groupboard videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to BigBlueButton and Groupboard)
Communication
100 100%
0% 0
Team Collaboration
0 0%
100% 100
Group Chat & Notifications
Work Collaboration
0 0%
100% 100

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing BigBlueButton and Groupboard.

How would you describe your primary audience?

Groupboard's answer:

Online tutors and schools.

What's the story behind your product?

Groupboard's answer:

Groupboard was the very first online whiteboard.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Groupboard's answer:

  • MyTutor
  • Cluey Learning

What makes your product unique?

Groupboard's answer:

Groupboard can be embedded in your own website and customized.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Groupboard's answer:

Groupboard is highly configurable and can be optionally embedded in your own website or self hosted on your own server.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Groupboard's answer:

Javascript and C++.

User comments

Share your experience with using BigBlueButton and Groupboard. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, BigBlueButton seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 17 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

BigBlueButton mentions (17)

View more

Groupboard mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Groupboard yet. Tracking of Groupboard recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing BigBlueButton and Groupboard, you can also consider the following products

Zoom - Equip your team with tools designed to collaborate, connect, and engage with teammates and customers, no matter where you’re located, all in one platform.

Twiddla - Mark up websites, graphics, and photos, or start brainstorming on a blank canvas.

WebEx - Cisco WebEx Web Conferencing, Online Meetings, Desktop Sharing, Video Conferencing

RealtimeBoard - RealtimeBoard is an online collaboration software created as a team collaboration and online brainstorming tool. It's super easy to use & free!

ClickMeeting - Collaborate with partners and clients using ClickMeeting professional web conferencing software. Try it now, FREE!

Smoothboard Air - Smoothboard Air is a collaborative interactive whiteboard application for iPads and Android devices that revolutionizes interaction in lecture rooms.