xroom.app is a young company that has recently thrust itself into the video conferencing industry in 2020. It continuously pushes for discovering innovative ideas to enhance simplicity and ease-of-use while promising to respect privacy and security. Free users are welcome to use xroom.app without signing up for an account and always have access to peer-2-peer calls and end-to-end encryption via the xroom.app homepage. Free users are not limited in terms of the meeting time or size nor are required to install anything at all or sign in. Lastly, the xroom.app platform works on any modern computer or mobile browser without installing any programs.

By setting up a free account with xroom.app at https://my.xroom.app users will be able to reserve rooms, make bookings and reserve rooms via the https://go.xroom.app landing page and have access to various other add-on's that enrich the experience of truly personalizing and controlling one's virtual meeting space. Only an email is required to sign up and all payment details are handled via a secure payment provider named Stripe.

We realize we're not the only players in this space and as such would love to share our findings and opinions on what others are doing and how they compare. So what other secure video conferencing software exists? We hope the following reviews will help you improve your remote-collaborations during this period where remote-work and working-from-home have become the norm.

Signal

1. Signal is well known for being a validated, audited and secure open-source solution for sending messages. Even touting reviews from individuals like Edward Snowden and Jack Dorsey. Signal provides a full-featured collaboration solution, works on most platforms and lets you share all messages, photos, videos, files and chat using video with up to 5 individuals at once. It also supports group chats, though this doesn’t extend to larger-scale video collaboration as this is limited to 5 participants.

• Pros – It’s free, secure and has many users joining it - especially after recent WhatsApp and Facebook controversies.


• Cons – Relies on a centralized server that shares and saves your information. Requires you to install the app. Requires a validated phone number. Group calls are limited to 5 participants. This is not a tool optimized for remote-collaboration but is great for communication.

How it compares to xroom.app:

• We provide an agnostic conferencing platform that works in any modern-day-browser without the need to provide any information as a free user. Users can completely customize and white-label their space to only brand themselves. Paid users are only asked to provide an email and check out securely via Stripe. Additionally, no centralized servers are not used for audio/video/file/text transmission and no data is saved. We do not limit the time users can spend in a room, nor how many rooms can be created. It is possible to build plugins and enhance xroom.app if added functionality is needed.

Jitsi

2. Jitsi is an open-source video collaboration solution for self-hosted systems. It is mainly used by engineers and developers and is more like the Lego of the video conferencing world. It offers a lot of possibilities, but you have to build it yourself. It is also possible to create a direct online meeting via https://meet.jit.si/. Additionally, they offer a premium paid service called Jitsi as a Service at https://jaas.8x8.vc/ which is for those that prefer to build the services into their solutions by using 8x8’s offerings. The great thing about the Jitsi system is its main solution price (it's free) which includes a high level of security and end-to-end security.

• Pros – Jitsi is available via mobile app and browser and can be self-hosted. It is highly configurable and modifiable and you can use its code for free. They also provide tools to get devs started even quicker by paying for Jitsi-as-a-service.


• Cons – Jitsi is not a solution for companies without a development team. The web-based online-only version has received negative feedback about stability, reliability and ease-of-use.

How it compares to xroom.app:

• We provide tools that require no development or coding knowledge. Our tools are easy-to-use and meant for individuals without development or tech skills. Additionally, we provide a landing page and the ability to white-label your secure and private space without requiring centralized servers for audio/video/file/text transmission. It is possible to build plugins and enhance xroom.app if added functionality is needed. Additionally, API and webhooks are included.

FaceTime

3. Recently Apple has become one of the largest companies in the world that are focusing on privacy. They have also begun to create tools and settings that help individuals to control what information and tracking are carried out by third-parties on Apple devices. Therefore, if you have your own Apple device, FaceTime is likely a great choice. Apple’s FaceTime app provides end-to-end encryption for both audio and video and is one of the easiest solutions to use as it provides basic video meeting functionality. Additionally, you can now meet with up to 32 other participants at once.

• Pros – Apple provides a secure solution for video calls which supports up to 32 participants. It does not cost anything and is easy-to-use.


• Cons – It only works for individuals owning Apple products that run on iOS or macOS. You can only share your screen on FaceTime via the Messages app that also comes pre-installed on Mac. All transmission is done via Apple servers. It is a fairly ineffective choice most of the time for business use as it's not a cross-platform solution.

How it compares to xroom.app:

• Our conferencing platform is meant to facilitate communication without requiring servers for audio/video/file/text transmission. It is completely platform agnostic and has no time or size limitations. Meet whenever via any browser or device. We do not ask for nor store personal information and calls or transmissions cannot be connected to individuals. Send your link to your colleague or customer and they can join you directly without sharing any personal details.

Wire

4. Wire is an open-source solution that offers a collaboration suite featuring messenger, voice, video, conference calls, file-sharing, and external collaboration for organizations – all protected by end-to-end-encryption.

• Pros – Wire provides a secure solution, that has been externally audited, for video calls along with a suite that allows your organization to collaborate and work with one another. It works across Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and via browsers.


• Cons – It is mainly meant for internal communication and does not help facilitate external communication to customers. All communication and data is stored on centralized servers and is not peer-2-peer. Wire’s services charge per user and it is not possible to use the video chat functionality without paying.

How it compares to xroom.app:

• Our conferencing platform is meant to facilitate communication without requiring servers for audio/video/file/text transmission and allows individuals to personalize and completely white-label their space. It is meant for both internal and external communications without the need to rely on apps or installs. Our services charge per space and do not focus on charging per user. Additionally, we do not store any personal information nor require logins.

Zoom

5. Zoom has become the de-facto video calling app in the past year. Zoom provides an app-based service for group video calls and allows users to have 40-minute calls with up to 100 participants. It includes a handful of features like screen sharing, local recording, breakout rooms and camera filters. Unfortunately, it's far from perfect as Zoom’s privacy policy is considered suspect by many and alludes to collecting erroneous data for reselling purposes.

• Pros – Easy to use, simple sign-up process, includes basic recording, supports 100-way calling, has Mac and Windows apps and also supports iOS and Android. It easily lets you see all people’s videos at once and has integrations with many other collaborative tools. It is reportedly reliable even under poor network conditions.


• Cons – Requires you to use a downloaded application that relies on centralized servers. The web-only version is well hidden and constantly pushes you to install. As a guest, the web version requires between 6-8 clicks when using a VPN, due to captchas and other onboarding measures. Zoom has had many controversies regarding data storage and transmission across questionable servers in questionable territories. They have claimed to have end-to-end encryption for years but were disproven by the FTC. Since then calls can now be end-to-end encrypted. They require both host and guest to manually turn this on after validating payment details and a phone number. Most of the extra’s Zoom provides are deactivated when activating end-to-end encryption. Additionally, Zoom has a long history of privacy and security issues and controversies that have been extensively covered by various companies and publications:
  
  
  • Wired: So Wait, How Encrypted Are Zoom Meetings Really? The service's mixed messages have frustrated cryptographers, as the US government and other sensitive organizations increasingly depend on it.
  • Zoom Zero Day: 4+ Million Webcams & maybe an RCE? Just get them to visit your website!
  • Zoom security issues: Here's everything that's gone wrong (so far)
  • The Guardian: Worried about Zoom's privacy problems? A guide to your video-conferencing options
  • Protonmail: Using Zoom? Here are the privacy issues you need to be aware of
  • Cnet: Using Zoom while working from home? Here are the privacy risks to watch out for. Don't let tattle-tale software features disrupt your remote workflow.
  • Mashable: Zoom is a work-from-home privacy disaster waiting to happen
  • Forbes: Zoom’s Security Nightmare Just Got Worse: But Here’s The Reality

How it compares to xroom.app:

• By default all our calls have encryption turned on by default and includes all data and text communications. This requires no extra work to turn on. Our conferencing platform is meant to facilitate communication without requiring servers for audio/video/file/text transmission and allows individuals to personalize and white-label their space. We believe users should be able to market and brand themselves only – with just a few clicks rather than marketing for other companies. It is meant for both internal and external communications without the need to rely on apps or installs. Our services are meant for 1:1’s and work great for groups that are between 1-10. Additionally, our calls are not limited in length and you can create an infinite amount of rooms using a space.

Skype & Microsoft Teams

6. Skype is a free video-conferencing tool provided as part of the consumer-grade collaboration suite from Microsoft. Skype handles up to 50 people in a video conference. When requiring enterprise-grade services their Microsoft Teams combines instant messaging, video conferencing, calling, and document collaboration into a single, integrated app. Microsoft Teams is packaged together with an Office365 license. It is touted as a secure solution that supports 2FA security, data encryption and meets dozens of national, regional and industry-specific security/privacy compliance regulations.

• Pros – Skype allows you to connect with family members or friends, available for up to 50 total. You can enable end-to-end encryption by selecting “create private conversation”. Teams allows for individuals to connect with up to 300 and it also integrates extremely well with Microsoft’s other productivity products, including Office 365.


• Cons – Skype requires a downloadable application, may be viewed as unprofessional, advanced features only available for a premium subscription. Skype conversations are not end-to-end encrypted by default but can be enabled. Both Skype and Teams require centralized servers to function and store data. Teams also requires a downloadable application for both hosts and guests. By default Teams does not claim to offer end-to-end encryption. Microsoft has been accused of downplaying the severity of a security issue found in its collaboration platform Teams, which was remedied quietly back in October 2020. Additionally, Microsoft has recently been accused of tracking users and collecting large amounts of erroneous data. Other security organizations have additionally deemed Microsoft 365 as being easily compromised:
  
  
  • ZDNET: I looked at all the ways Microsoft Teams tracks users and my head is spinning. Microsoft Teams isn't just there to make employees' lives easier. It's also there to give bosses data about so many things.
  • Varonis: How to Use Microsoft Teams Safely: Security and Compliance Basics
  • Trustwave: Microsoft Teams and Skype Logging Privacy Issue
  • Avanan: Why Slack and Microsoft Teams Are Not as Secure as You Think
  • The Guardian: Microsoft handed the NSA access to encrypted messages

How it compares to xroom.app:

• Our conferencing platform is meant to facilitate communication without requiring servers for audio/video/file/text transmission and allows individuals to personalize their space. It allows customers to white-label their space and aims to provide peer-2-peer services that are reliable and safe. It is meant for both internal and external communications without the need to rely on apps or installs. Our services are meant for 1:1’s and work great for groups that are between 1-10. We do not store any personal information and we strive for not asking or collecting information that can be connected back to the user's personal or private conversations or accounts.

Extra additional feedback and resources:

• Mashable: Forget Zoom: Use these private video-chatting tools, instead
• NordVPN: How safe is Office 365 security?
• Consumer Reports: It's Not Just Zoom. Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Webex Have Privacy Issues, Too. CR evaluated videoconferencing privacy policies and found these services may collect more data than consumers realize
• Mashable: Zoom is a work-from-home privacy disaster waiting to happen
• The Intercept: Zoom Meetings Aren’t End-to-End Encrypted, Despite Misleading Marketing. The videoconferencing service can access conversations on its platform.
• The Register: Microsoft menaced with GDPR mega-fines in Europe for 'large scale and covert' gathering of people's info via Office
• Kazient: Zoom Knows More Than You Think – 3 Privacy Issues You Should Be Concerned About
• The Verge: Zoom faces a privacy and security backlash as it surges in popularity. The pressure mounts as Zoom risks becoming a victim of its own success.
• The Verge: Serious Zoom security flaw could let websites hijack Mac cameras
• The Verge: Apple is silently removing Zoom’s web server software from Macs