7 Zoom Alternatives Compared by Who Controls the AI Switch
Three open source projects list no artificial intelligence features on the pages we read; Zoom, Meet and Teams leave the switch to admins.
Short Answer
Jitsi Meet, Nextcloud Talk and Element Call list no artificial intelligence (AI) features on the pages we read, and you or someone you hire has to run them. The alternatives divide along hosting and administrative boundaries: the open source self-hosted tools list no built-in assistant on the pages we read, while mainstream commercial services place the AI toggle in the hands of account administrators or meeting organizers rather than individual callers. If you need immediate advice on removing automated bots from existing accounts, read our guide on how to turn off AI notetakers.
No video software stops another attendee from capturing audio on a local computer. When a colleague runs a local recording tool or an external transcription service on their machine, your choice of meeting software cannot block that capture. Moving to Jitsi Meet, Nextcloud Talk or Element Call removes Zoom's own AI, but none of this stops another participant from running an AI notetaker on their own device or in their own account.
Why People Leave Zoom Over AI Features
Zoom's AI reaches beyond meetings. According to Zoom's support documentation, Zoom AI currently enhances Meetings, Chat, Mail, and Phone. Some of these capabilities require a ZoomMate license alongside allocated AI Credits. If you want calls with no AI notetaker or assistant, these are the features you would avoid or ask your administrator to lock off.
Control over these tools sits with organizational administrators rather than individual callers. Zoom documentation confirms that account owners and administrators can enable or disable AI features for all users on an account or for designated groups. Administrators can lock specific settings so that individual employees cannot alter them. If an administrator locks a setting, users cannot change it.
Data handling policies also influence decisions to seek alternatives. Zoom publishes that it does not use customer audio, video, chat, screen sharing, attachments, or related communications content to train its own or third-party AI models. However, when users activate tools that rely on third-party providers, Zoom shares relevant data with those external entities. That data may be processed inside data centers located in the United States (U.S.). See AI without sending data to the cloud.
How We Compared Zoom Alternatives
We evaluated seven candidate platforms against Zoom across five specific criteria: first-party AI features named in documentation, who controls the AI switch, hosting requirements, software licences, and operational caveats. On 19 October 2026, we reviewed the published documentation, homepages, and official code repositories for each option. We did not conduct active test calls.
Jitsi Meet
Jitsi Meet is a self-hostable system whose repository page we read lists no AI features. The Jitsi Meet GitHub repository describes the software as a set of open source projects that empower users to deploy video conferencing platforms. The codebase is distributed under the Apache-2.0 licence. The repository page we read mentions no transcription, meeting summaries, or AI features. That says nothing about every Jitsi deployment or add-on.
According to Jitsi's security documentation, you can install and run your own instance of Jitsi Meet. The public meet.jit.si service also exists, though it requires an account for the person creating the room. If you deploy your own server, you decide whether any add-on modules get installed. Jitsi Meet is best for organizations that can operate a server and want standard web conferencing without built-in automated assistants.
Nextcloud Talk
Nextcloud Talk integrates video meetings directly into Nextcloud. The Nextcloud Talk GitHub repository describes the software as a video and audio conferencing application for Nextcloud. The project publishes its code under the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL-3.0). The project page we read lists no AI, transcription, or summary feature.
You can self-host it as part of Nextcloud. Our review examined the standalone Talk repository rather than the wider Nextcloud platform. Nextcloud Talk is best for teams already running Nextcloud that want conferencing without built-in AI.
Element Call
Element Call is a video conferencing application built on the Matrix protocol. The Element Call GitHub repository describes the tool as a native Matrix video conferencing application developed by Element, using the tagline Group calls powered by Matrix. The software operates under a dual-licensing structure by New Vector Ltd, offering a choice between the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL) and a paid Element Commercial License.
The README we read mentions no AI, transcription, or summary feature. Element Call is best for organizations using Matrix for messaging that want native group video calls without relying on traditional corporate meeting platforms.
BigBlueButton
BigBlueButton is built for teaching. The BigBlueButton homepage describes the product as a purpose-built virtual classroom that empowers teachers to teach and learners to learn. Its published materials highlight adoption across K-12 education, higher education, and government institutions, and it has an Open Source Project section.
The homepage names one AI feature, AI-powered smart slides, so BigBlueButton is not a no-AI option. The homepage does not specify the software licence under which the classroom software is distributed. BigBlueButton is best for educators who need virtual classroom features and accept native automated teaching aids.
Whereby
Whereby is a service with a public information page. The Whereby information page highlights features such as file sharing, chat, screen sharing, a virtual whiteboard, custom branding, and transcriptions. We found no mention of AI or summaries on that page.
Pricing and plan limits remain unspecified on its general information page. The page we read asks "Can I try it for free?" but does not answer it, so we state no price or free plan. Because transcriptions are listed among features, organizations must determine whether text recording aligns with their meeting policies. Whereby is best for readers who want to check a service that lists transcriptions against their own plan before relying on it.
Google Meet
Google Meet offers Gemini note-taking on eligible Google Workspace editions and Google AI plans. Google's support documentation details the Take notes for me feature powered by Gemini. The software captures structured meeting notes directly inside Google Docs, provides late joiners with a running summary of previous discussion, and automatically emails recap links to the meeting organizer. Access to this tool requires an eligible Google Workspace edition or a Google AI plan.
Administrative settings dictate how these automation features behave during calls. Google documentation states that administrators can require explicit consent from participants, though this consent requirement is off by default. Notes may also activate automatically for certain meetings depending on admin settings. When Host Management is turned on, meeting hosts control the switch during the call. The Google page we read does not describe a way for an individual user to permanently disable the feature for their own account. Google Meet is best for organizations heavily invested in Google Workspace that want integrated automated documentation and trust central administrators to manage consent.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams has Copilot in meetings. According to Microsoft's support documentation, Copilot in Teams meetings summarizes key discussion points, including who spoke and what they said, and suggests action items.
Meeting organizers control whether Copilot runs during individual sessions. Under Online meeting options, organizers can adjust the setting for Copilot and other AI; selecting Off disables Copilot for that meeting and also turns recording and transcription off. The availability of these controls depends on your wider organizational policy, sensitivity labels, and custom meeting templates. Microsoft Teams is best for organizations already on Microsoft 365 whose policy lets organizers set Copilot to Off for a meeting. To switch Copilot off on a Windows PC, see how to turn off Copilot on Windows.
Summary Comparison Table
Each row reflects the vendor or project page we read, and "not stated" means that page did not say.
| Option | First-party AI named in our reading | Who controls the AI switch | Hosting | Licence where stated | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoom (subject) | Zoom AI covers Meetings, Chat, Mail and Phone | Account owners and admins; settings can be locked | Not stated on the page we read | Not stated on the page we read | Some features need a ZoomMate license and AI Credits |
| Jitsi Meet | None listed on the repository page | Whoever runs the server | Self-host, or the public meet.jit.si service | Apache-2.0 | Public service needs an account for the room creator |
| Nextcloud Talk | None listed on the repository page | Whoever runs the server | Self-host, as part of Nextcloud | AGPL-3.0 | We reviewed Talk only, not the wider Nextcloud platform |
| Element Call | None listed on the repository page | Whoever runs the server | Self-host, built on Matrix | GNU AGPL, or a paid Element Commercial License | Dual-licensed by New Vector Ltd (Element) |
| BigBlueButton | Homepage names "AI-powered smart slides" | Not stated on the page we read | Open source project; hosting not stated on the page | Not named on the homepage | Built for virtual classrooms |
| Whereby | Lists transcriptions; no AI or summaries mentioned | Not stated on the page we read | Not stated on the page we read | Not stated on the page we read | Pricing and free plan not stated on the page we read |
| Google Meet | Gemini "Take notes for me" | Admins, and hosts when Host Management is on | Not stated on the page we read | Not stated on the page we read | Needs an eligible Workspace edition or Google AI plan |
| Microsoft Teams | Copilot summaries and action items | Meeting organizers, within organization policy | Not stated on the page we read | Not stated on the page we read | Available options depend on policy, labels and templates |
Which Zoom Alternative to Pick
The options fall into three operating models, and we recommend by your priority rather than by brand:
- For a call tool with no AI listed: Choose Jitsi Meet, Nextcloud Talk, or Element Call. None of these projects listed AI features on the pages we read. Whoever runs the server decides what gets added.
- For a service that lists transcriptions but no AI on the page we read: Whereby lists transcriptions as a feature and gives no AI statement on the page we read, so check its AI status for your plan before relying on it.
- For corporate environments with centralized management: Stay on Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams only if you can get your administrator to lock the AI settings off. Where an administrator locks Zoom AI on, users cannot change it.
For apps outside video calling, see AI-free apps.
To keep Zoom, ask your administrator to lock the AI settings off; Zoom's AI support page describes the admin controls. To leave, start with the Jitsi Meet repository.
Who This Is Not For
Self-hosting is not for anyone who cannot run a server or pay someone to run it. Jitsi's public meet.jit.si service exists, but it requires an account for the room creator. Running Jitsi Meet, Nextcloud Talk, or Element Call requires configuring and running a server.
Zoom, Google Meet or Teams with the AI settings locked off need no server of your own. Whereby is a further option once you check its AI status.
What Would Change Our Verdict
Our assessment rests on the pages we read for each project. If Jitsi Meet, Nextcloud Talk, or Element Call adds AI features to the pages we read, they would no longer fit the "no AI listed" group.
Conversely, if commercial providers like Zoom, Google, or Microsoft introduce permanent, client-side switches that allow individual meeting attendees to block all automated processing regardless of account or organizer policies, staying on those platforms would be easier to recommend to someone who wants no AI notetaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Zoom alternative without AI?
Jitsi Meet, Nextcloud Talk, and Element Call are the leading choices if you want a platform that lists no automated assistant features. On the project pages we read, none of them listed built-in artificial intelligence, automated transcription, or generative summary tools. Choosing them requires you to run your own server or pay a hosting provider to maintain an instance.
Is there an open source alternative to Zoom?
Yes, several open source projects offer video calling. Jitsi Meet distributes its code under the Apache-2.0 licence, Nextcloud Talk uses the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL-3.0), and Element Call is dual-licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License and a commercial licence. BigBlueButton also maintains an open source project section, though its homepage features automated smart slides.
Can I turn off Zoom AI Companion?
Account owners and administrators control the switch. Zoom documentation states that administrators can enable or disable artificial intelligence features for the entire account or specific groups, and they can lock settings so end users cannot alter them. If your company administrator locks the feature in an enabled state, you cannot turn it off on your individual account.
Does Google Meet have AI?
Yes, Google Meet includes a Gemini feature called Take notes for me. The tool creates structured notes in Google Docs, gives late joiners an interim summary, and emails recap links to organizers. Administrators decide whether meetings require participant consent, and meeting hosts determine whether to toggle the note-taking feature on or off when Host Management is enabled.
Can I stop other people's AI notetakers?
Not by changing call software. Whichever tool you use, another participant can run an AI notetaker on their own device or in their own account, and none of the options above stops that. To switch off Zoom's own AI, see our guide on how to turn off AI notetakers.
Related Guides
More on switching AI off:
- How to Turn Off AI Notetakers
- How to Turn Off AI
- AI Without Sending Data to Cloud
- AI-Free Apps
- How to Turn Off Copilot on Windows
- Email Without AI
Sources
Every finding above draws on the pages below:
Frequently asked questions
▸ What is the best Zoom alternative without AI?
▸ Is there an open source alternative to Zoom?
▸ Can I turn off Zoom AI Companion?
▸ Does Google Meet have AI?
▸ Can I stop other people's AI notetakers?
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