As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Jitsi has emerged as a key player in the world of online interactions. It caters to both professional meetings and casual virtual gatherings with its user-friendly interface, facilitating easy access to video communication. However, it's crucial to understand that Jitsi may not be the perfect fit for every situation.

What sets Jitsi apart is its Video SDK, which extends beyond typical offerings, enabling deeper integration into various unique digital environments. Yet, it's important to acknowledge that its historical achievements do not automatically assure its suitability for present and future demands.

When selecting a video conferencing SDK, it's crucial to consider various factors: the range of features available, the degree of customization possible, how effortlessly it integrates with your existing systems, its scalability alongside your growth, and, of course, the cost.

In these respects, there's room for improvement with Jitsi.

Let's dive in deeper and explore these aspects, shall we?

Assessing Jitsi Open Source's Limitations

Jitsi, renowned for its open-source video conferencing capabilities, offers valuable services but has certain limitations:

Limited Scalability: Jitsi is apt for small to medium-sized meetings but faces challenges in large-scale deployments, becoming complex and resource-intensive for handling hundreds of participants.
Security Concerns: Despite prioritizing privacy and security, Jitsi is not immune to vulnerabilities. Regular updates and additional security measures are often needed, particularly for sensitive meetings.
UI Challenges: Some users find Jitsi's user interface less polished or intuitive compared to commercial alternatives, which could impact ease of use, especially for less tech-savvy individuals.
Lack of Advanced Features: Jitsi provides basic video conferencing features but may lack advanced capabilities such as Support for Multiple Audio I/O, Media Player, in-depth reporting, etc.
Documentation and Support: Jitsi offers community support and documentation, but it may not be as comprehensive or accessible as support provided by commercial vendors, leading users to rely on forums and online resources for troubleshooting.
Server Management: Self-hosting Jitsi requires management of server infrastructure, a potential drawback for organizations without technical expertise or developer bandwidth.
Screen Sharing and Bandwidth Issues: Screen sharing on Jitsi is fluctuating and consumes a lot of bandwidth, even for text sharing via screen share. The quality of video during screen sharing, especially with text content, needs improvement.
Large Storage Space Required: Storing and saving meeting data offline requires significant storage space, posing challenges for large businesses and organizations with multiple sessions per day.
Unsuitability for Broad Audiences: Jitsi doesn't support large audience gatherings well, with the quality of meetings deteriorating when attendee numbers exceed 75.
Short Time-Period Sessions: Jitsi limits meetings to a maximum of 3 hours, which is not feasible for institutions that require longer durations for broad audiences.
Low Video and Audio Quality: Jitsi's video and audio quality are not robust, with multiple sound lags experienced during meetings, making it unsuitable for long, remote working sessions.

Some of the challenges inherent in the open-source Jitsi platform are addressed in 8x8’s JaaS, the enterprise version of Jitsi. This evolution is crucial to consider, especially when focusing on pricing, a key aspect for those considering using their services. Understanding Jaas 8x8's pricing model is vital for potential users.

On the other hand, if you're reevaluating your options and seeking Jitsi alternatives to Jaas 8x8's video SDK, we've compiled a list of different options that might better suit your specific needs. And, if you are looking for open-source Video SDK, we have a handy list for that too :)

Jitsi Pricing: A Vital Factor in Decision Making

Choosing the right video SDK involves careful consideration of pricing. Jaas 8x8 presents a variety of pricing plans, and comprehending the details can be complex, given the intricacies of their pricing framework.

Similar to Dyte, Jaas 8x8 offers a diverse array of services, yet their pricing strategies are distinctly different.

Video and Audio

The pricing model for Jaas 8x8 is designed to suit various usage scenarios and scales based on the number of Monthly Active Users (MAU). Here's a breakdown of their pricing tiers:

JaaS Basic:

300 MAU: $99.00 per month.

JaaS Standard:

1500 MAU: $499.00 per month.

JaaS Business (Recommended):

3000 MAU: $999.00 per month.

JaaS Enterprise:

Custom plan for businesses needing more users.

Each plan includes the option for add-ons, which are billed per usage. The add-on pricing is consistent across all plans:

PSTN Inbound: 2 MAU.
PSTN Outbound: 1 MAU + $0.03 per minute.
Recordings: $0.01 per minute.
SIP In: $0.06 per minute.
SIP Out: $0.06 per minute.
RTMP Streaming: $0.01 per minute.
Transcription: $0.06 per minute.

Additionally, if the number of MAU exceeds the limit included in your plan, an overage charge of $0.99 per additional MAU will be applied.

💡 In contrast, Dyte offers video pricing at $0.004/user/minute and audio at a reduced rate of $0.001/user/minute, providing a clearer distinction between video and audio services.

Jaas 8x8 Additional Features

Jaas 8x8 offers a range of services with pricing that varies based on the number of users and included features. Notably, Jaas 8x8 charges for SIP services at a rate of $0.06/Min for both inbound and outbound calls. Additionally, transcription services are billed at $0.06/Min. In contrast, our service includes these features without additional charges, offering a more cost-effective solution for businesses requiring SIP and transcription capabilities. Furthermore, Jaas 8x8 does not specify charges for whiteboard features.

💡 In contrast, Dyte provides plugins for free and includes whiteboard functionalityand does not charge for SIP and transcriptions , making it a potentially more suitable option for users valuing these features.

Recording

Recording features in a video SDK are crucial for various applications. JaaS (8x8's video SDK) offers meeting recording capabilities, but it's important to note that the recordings are only stored for 24 hours.

Regarding the pricing, JaaS does not include recording as a free feature. Instead, they charge an additional $0.01 per minute for video call recording. This pricing model might require users with extensive recording needs to consider the cumulative cost over time.

💡 In contrast, Dyte offers a more straightforward approach with a flat rate of $10 for every 1,000 minutes recorded, providing a predictable cost structure for users who require substantial recording capabilities. Additionally, Dyte stores your recordings for 7 days, which is a significant advantage over Jitsi's 24-hour recording storage duration, offering more flexibility and convenience for accessing and managing recorded content.

Storage

JaaS 8x8 provides two types of storage for video call recordings: hot storage for immediate access needs and cold storage for less frequently accessed data. Hot storage is included in all default policies, with retention times based on the license type.

All recordings in cold storage are permanently deleted after the purchased period ends. This two-tiered storage system provides flexibility, with the option to choose based on the frequency and immediacy of access required for the recordings.

💡 Dyte offers the first seven days of storage for free, followed by AWS pass-through rates.

Streaming with RTMP

Jaas 8x8 supports RTMP streaming and employs a pricing model that includes an additional charge for this service. Contrary to the previously mentioned pricing structure, the cost for RTMP streaming is around $0.01 per minute. This fee is applied in addition to any regular meeting room usage, offering transparency and predictability for users who need RTMP streaming capabilities.

This is an essential consideration for users who intend to use RTMP streaming capabilities within the Jaas 8x8 service, as it represents an extra expense in addition to the standard meeting room costs.

💡 In comparison, Dyte offers RTMP streaming at $15 for 1,000 minutes of HD audio, providing a different pricing structure that users might consider for their specific needs.

HIPAA Compliance

JaaS 8x8 has achieved third-party validation for its HIPAA compliance and offers business associate agreements (BAAs). This compliance is vital for clients in the healthcare sector who require assurance of meeting industry standards without unexpected costs.

However, specific pricing details for HIPAA compliance with JaaS 8x8 are not readily available on their website. Healthcare organizations considering JaaS 8x8 may need to directly inquire to understand the costs involved in ensuring compliance.

💡 In contrast, Dyte provides a HIPAA-compliant solution, ensuring platform credibility, at a clear pricing of $500 per month.

Support

The support system for Jaas 8x8, also known as Jitsi as a Service, appears to be straightforward for its customers. Users can log into their administrative portal and fill out a "Contact Support" form to get assistance. The form requires details like the user's name, email address, subject, and a detailed description of the issue. After submission, 8x8 Support will contact the user with updates on the support issue.

💡 Dyte provides support 24x7, highlighting their commitment to customer service.

Additional Insight: The approach Jaas 8x8 takes with support and pricing, especially with the possibility of different levels of support based on the chosen plan, is an important consideration for businesses relying on their video SDK for critical operations. Users should be aware of potential additional costs for specific features.

Dyte: The Optimal Video SDK for Modern Needs

Dyte emerges as a standout choice in the realm of video SDKs, impressing with its developer-friendly approach and extensive customization capabilities. It boasts a comprehensive range of features, including virtual backgrounds, breakout rooms, real-time chat, interactive polls, and in-depth analytics. This positions Dyte as a versatile solution for various video conferencing demands. For those seeking a reliable and easily integrable video SDK, Dyte is an excellent selection.

The platform's exceptional customization flexibility is a major draw. Thanks to Dyte's powerful API, you can seamlessly integrate it into your current systems and applications. Additionally, the Dyte UI kit allows you to create a distinct, branded video conferencing experience, perfectly tailored to your audience's preferences.

Looking for a user-centric video SDK that delivers robust functionality? Dyte is the solution. Try it out now!