Private and open-source alternatives to FaceTime
6 video calls rated against the same public privacy criteria as FaceTime, with our picks first.
Why look for an alternative?
- Open source: no. Closed source.
- No trackers or telemetry: partial. No third-party trackers in the app, and sharing device analytics with Apple is opt-in. Apple web pages load Apple's own analytics (ac-analytics, sent to metrics.apple.com) by default.
- Independent audit: no. No independent audit is published.
- Join without an account: partial. People with a FaceTime link can join from a web browser without an Apple Account; the person creating the link needs an Apple device and account.
- Self-hostable: no. Hosted only.
The alternatives
Element Call Grade B
Open source group video calling app built on Matrix and LiveKit, usable standalone in the browser at call.element.io or inside Matrix apps such as Element X. It can be self-hosted.
Based in the United Kingdom (Five Eyes). Element Call scores 77 out of 100 (grade B) on the video calls criteria. It meets 5 of 7 criteria: open source, no ads or data sales, end-to-end encrypted, join without an account and self-hostable.
Galène Grade C
Lightweight self-hosted videoconference server with a web client, designed for lectures, conferences and meetings, with screen sharing, chat and recording.
Galène scores 67 out of 100 (grade C) on the video calls criteria. It meets 5 of 7 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, join without an account and self-hostable.
Brave Talk Grade C
Browser-based video calling service from Brave, built on Jitsi and run with 8x8. Calls are started from the Brave browser and can be joined from any browser.
Based in the United States (Five Eyes). Brave Talk scores 60 out of 100 (grade C) on the video calls criteria. It meets 3 of 7 criteria: no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and join without an account.
Jitsi Grade D
Open source video conferencing that runs in the browser without an account, with desktop and mobile apps. It can be self-hosted or used through the free meet.jit.si service run by 8x8.
Based in the United States (Five Eyes). Jitsi scores 53 out of 100 (grade D) on the video calls criteria. It meets 3 of 7 criteria: open source, no ads or data sales and self-hostable.
BigBlueButton Grade D
Self-hosted web conferencing system for online classes, with whiteboard, shared notes, breakout rooms, polls and recording, often integrated with learning management systems.
BigBlueButton scores 47 out of 100 (grade D) on the video calls criteria. It meets 4 of 7 criteria: open source, no ads or data sales, join without an account and self-hostable.
Whereby Grade F
Browser-based video meeting service from Norway where hosts create permanent room links that guests open in a browser, with mobile apps and an embeddable video API.
Based in Norway (Nine Eyes). Whereby scores 33 out of 100 (grade F) on the video calls criteria. It meets 1 of 7 criteria: no ads or data sales.