Free and open source software to keep in touch during lockdown

Last updated on 23 June 2024

What are the free and open solutions to keep in touch during confinement? Many of you asked me after the publication of the article on setting up video courses if there were such solutions. For example, are there alternatives to Zoom, Slack, Messenger and other major commercial software?

Here is a first list of Free and Free Software who are responding to this request. Sometimes a little more austere, a little more difficult to hang in hand, they have the great advantage of belonging to the free world concerned with defending an ethic of sharing and respecting private data.

Free and open source software for videoconferences and presentations

Jitsi

This is arguably the closest free alternative to the star of the moment, the Zoom service. Jitsi also allows presenters to share their screen. However, here there are no violations of privacy. The connection between callers is direct and quite intuitive. Versions for Windows, Mac and Linux are available.
Link: Jitsi

Jami

Another interesting alternative for free exchanges. No limitations on calls, file size, bandwidth, Jami integrates all the necessary features. All communications are direct and end-to-end encrypted.
Link: Jami

Obs Studio

Another software widely used in the free world, but perhaps a little more complicated to handle. OBS Studio is a comprehensive tool for streaming videos from multiple inputs to a web source. OBS has made it possible to record a presentation while speaking on a screen, and to share audiovisual documents in a second window.
Link: Obs Studio

Other free tools for other types of exchanges

Videoconferencing is not the only way to stay in touch. In the free software galaxy, you can use PidGin to set up a secure chat and surf between chat channels. Pigdin runs on Windows for Mac you can look atAdium. For audio exchanges only look at the side of mumble.