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BigBlueButton VS WebRTC

Compare BigBlueButton VS WebRTC 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.

WebRTC logo WebRTC

WebRTC is a free, open project that enables web browsers with Real-Time Communications (RTC) capabilities via simple JavaScript APIs. The WebRTC components have been optimized to best serve this purpose.
  • BigBlueButton Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-12
  • WebRTC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-19

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.

WebRTC features and specs

  • Real-time Communication
    WebRTC enables real-time voice, video, and data communication directly between web browsers and other devices without requiring plugins or additional frameworks.
  • Open Source
    WebRTC is free and open-source, which allows developers to inspect, modify, and enhance the code to suit their needs without incurring licensing costs.
  • Peer-to-Peer Architecture
    The peer-to-peer architecture of WebRTC reduces latency and can be more efficient than server-based architectures for real-time communication, saving bandwidth and server resources.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    WebRTC operates seamlessly across different platforms (web, mobile, desktop) and operating systems, ensuring broad accessibility and reach.
  • Built-in Security
    WebRTC comes with built-in security features such as encryption of data streams (SRTP) and secure access to media devices, which enhances user privacy and data security.

Possible disadvantages of WebRTC

  • Network Traversal Issues
    WebRTC can face challenges with firewall and NAT traversal, which might require additional setup and infrastructure like TURN servers to relay traffic.
  • Browser Compatibility
    While most modern browsers support WebRTC, there may still be inconsistencies or issues with certain browsers or versions, necessitating thorough compatibility testing.
  • Scalability Challenges
    Handling large-scale implementations or group calls can be challenging with WebRTC's peer-to-peer architecture, often requiring additional signaling servers and infrastructure.
  • Lack of Quality Control
    WebRTC doesn’t have built-in mechanisms for monitoring and controlling the quality of service (QoS), which can lead to variations in audio and video quality especially under poor network conditions.
  • Complexity of Implementation
    Building a complete WebRTC-based application can be complex due to the need for handling signaling, session management, and potential browser-specific issues.

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 WebRTC

Overall verdict

  • WebRTC is generally considered a good solution for real-time communication needs due to its robust features, ease of integration, and strong support from a wide array of browsers and platforms. Its open-source nature also encourages continuous improvements and community support, making it a reliable choice for developers.

Why this product is good

  • WebRTC is a powerful open-source project that facilitates real-time communication directly between web browsers and mobile apps. It enables high-quality audio, video, and data transfer, leveraging technologies like peer-to-peer connections without requiring plugins or external software. This makes WebRTC a versatile and efficient option for developers looking to implement seamless real-time communication capabilities in their applications.

Recommended for

  • Video conferencing applications
  • Online gaming with live interactions
  • Collaborative tools and platforms
  • Educational software with live communication features
  • Peer-to-peer file sharing

BigBlueButton videos

+ Add

BigBlueButton Overview: Viewer

More videos:

  • Review - Using Conferences / BigBlueButton in Canvas Instructure

WebRTC videos

+ Add

Google WebRTC project update & Stadia review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - WebRTC Tutorial - How does WebRTC work?
  • Demo - Use Case - WebRTC Bill Review Demo

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to BigBlueButton and WebRTC)

BigBlueButton

WebRTC

Communication
74 74%
Communication
26% 26
Group Chat & Notifications
74 74%
Group Chat & Notifications
26% 26
Video Conferencing
73 73%
Video Conferencing
27% 27
Web And Video Conferencing
100 100%
Web And Video Conferencing
0% 0

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 WebRTC

BigBlueButton Reviews

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WebRTC Reviews

SignalR Alternatives
SignalR is basically used to allow connection between client and server or vice-versa. It is a type of bi-directional communication between both the client and server. SignalR is compatible with web sockets and many other connections, which help in the direct push of content over the server. There are many alternatives for signalR that are used, like Firebase, pusher,...
Source: www.educba.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WebRTC should be more popular than BigBlueButton. It has been mentiond 49 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

WebRTC mentions (49)

  • SSE, WebSockets, or Polling? Build a Real-Time Stock App with React and Hono
    For real-time communication used mostly for video and voice calls, check out WebRTC. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • 17 Reasons Why JavaScript is Essential for Real-Time Applications
    One of the most visible aspects of JavaScript for interactive web applications is its ability to make user interactions feel seamless and instantaneous. For example, form validation, auto-suggestions, and real-time data visualization are all powered by JavaScript, allowing users to engage with web apps more fluidly. These instant interactions reduce frustration and keep users engaged. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Mastering Real-Time Collaboration: Building Figma and Miro-Inspired Features with Supabase
    So before we dive into the implementation, I would like to share a few things about this project(my personal exp.). During this project I studying a ton about webRTC. I started studying webRTC from scratch, like what is webRTC? How is the connection formed? How the data transfer takes place. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Show HN: I built a website to share files and messages without any server
    WebRTC it is: https://webrtc.org/ Yes only the network layer encryption. No file encryption as it will cost client browsers a lot in case of encrypting and then decrypting that at other end. I have written more about it here: https://dikshantraj2001.medium.com/nat-stun-turn-and-ice-466dabbc2fdb Currently, I am using the public STUN servers only. If the IPs are not reachable, it would show an error and won't work... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • WebSocket vs. HTTP communication protocols
    You might also consider assessing complementary or alternative technologies; WebSocket and HTTP aren’t the only options when it comes to real-time communication, after all. WebRTC is similar to WebSocket, with the key difference being that it’s used to implement peer-to-peer connections without relying on a server. That can be especially helpful for video calls, allowing participants to communicate directly... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing BigBlueButton and WebRTC, 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.

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

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

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

GoToWebinar - Webinar & Online Conference | GoToWebinar

Onstream Media - Onstream Media is a video conferencing software that facilities businesses operations for different industries.

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