Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

BigBlueButton VS Viber

Compare BigBlueButton VS Viber and see what are their differences

BigBlueButton logo BigBlueButton

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

Viber logo Viber

Free and secure calls and messages to anyone, anywhere. Keep your conversations going no matter where you are.
  • BigBlueButton Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-12
  • Viber Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-19

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.

Viber features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Viber features a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and use the app without a steep learning curve.
  • Free Texting and Calling
    Viber allows users to send text messages, make voice calls, and video calls for free over the internet.
  • End-to-End Encryption
    Messages and calls on Viber are end-to-end encrypted, providing a high level of security and privacy for users.
  • Multimedia Support
    Users can send photos, videos, voice messages, and files through Viber, offering a versatile communication platform.
  • Group Chats and Calls
    Viber supports group chats and calls, allowing users to communicate with multiple people simultaneously.
  • Sticker and Emoji Library
    Viber offers a wide range of stickers and emojis to enhance the messaging experience.
  • Viber Out
    Viber Out allows users to make low-cost international calls to non-Viber users across the globe.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Viber is available on multiple platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, ensuring seamless communication across devices.
  • Public Accounts
    Businesses and public figures can create public accounts to communicate with their audience on Viber.

Possible disadvantages of Viber

  • Data Usage
    Viber requires an internet connection, which can lead to high data usage, especially for voice and video calls.
  • Dependency on Internet
    Viber calls and messages are dependent on internet connectivity, limiting its functionality in areas with poor or no internet access.
  • Limited User Base
    Compared to other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, Viber has a smaller user base, which may limit its usefulness for some users.
  • Notification Issues
    Some users have reported issues with not receiving notifications promptly or consistently on certain devices.
  • Quality of Service
    The quality of voice and video calls can be inconsistent and is highly dependent on the speed and stability of the internet connection.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Despite end-to-end encryption, some users remain concerned about the collection of metadata and potential privacy issues.
  • In-App Purchases
    While basic features are free, Viber offers in-app purchases for additional services such as premium stickers and Viber Out credits.
  • Background Battery Usage
    Viber can consume a significant amount of battery power when running in the background, which may affect the overall device performance.

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.

BigBlueButton videos

BigBlueButton Overview: Viewer

More videos:

  • Review - Using Conferences / BigBlueButton in Canvas Instructure

Viber videos

Viber Messenger for Android

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to BigBlueButton and Viber)
Communication
39 39%
61% 61
Group Chat & Notifications
Video Conferencing
100 100%
0% 0
Messaging
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare BigBlueButton and Viber

BigBlueButton Reviews

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Viber Reviews

20 Telegram Alternatives to Chat With in 2024
Viber has really good security and privacy features. It has user verification options plus end-to-end encryption, giving you a combination of safety factors. And it has other cool tools, like setting messages to disappear after a certain time. Viber also has a phone connection so you can call landlines and mobile numbers around the world.
10 Best Telegram Alternatives in 2024
Viber is a very much similar app like telegram which can be downloaded from Play Store and Apple Store for Android and iOS devices, also viber can be used through the web. Though it is a good app, switching through mobile or desktop seems very easy and efficient with viber. Apart from this, Viber also provides status of the messages to the user and keeps the chats private.
Top 10 Apps like Telegram for Android and IOs [2023]
Viber is an instant messaging software owned by the Japanese multinational firm Rakuten. In addition to instant messaging, Viber Out provides premium international landline and mobile calling services. Users may also share media items like pictures and videos. The service can be accessed on desktop platforms with no mobile connectivity, but users must register and be...
The best WhatsApp alternatives for 2023
Viber is free to use, though you can subscribe to 'Viber Out', a service that lets you make unlimited international calls to phones that don't have Viber installed. It's $6 a month.
The 7 best apps you can use as a WhatsApp alternative
Viber doesn't have the same name recognition as many other communication apps, but like Skype, it is a solid option if you want an app that can also place calls to mobile phones and landlines in addition to chatting with other app users. Free for iPhone and Android, it has voice, video, and text chat features, and it does this with end-to-end encryption for secure...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, BigBlueButton seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 18 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 (18)

View more

Viber mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing BigBlueButton and Viber, 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 youโ€™re located, all in one platform.

Telegram - Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. Itโ€™s superfast, simple and free.

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

WhatsApp - WhatsApp Messenger: More than 1 billion people in over 180 countries use WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends and family, anytime and anywhere.

GoToMeeting - GoToMeeting is a web conferencing service offering a range of services which are available on Mac, PC, iOS and Android devices.

Skype - Stay in touch with your family and friends for free on Skype. Download Skype today to chat and call on desktop and mobile.