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Head-to-head · Virtual Classroom Software

BigBlueButton vs Class

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score BigBlueButton #1 in Virtual Classroom Software 9.3/10 Open source Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit BigBlueButton
Class #12 in Virtual Classroom Software 7.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Class

BigBlueButton leads on 0 checks, Class on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBigBlueButton · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly BigBlueButton
  • Most featuresBigBlueButton · 4 of 4

BigBlueButton scores higher on our rubric for virtual classroom software: 9.3 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #12.

On supported platforms, BigBlueButton gives you All where Class offers Browser.

BigBlueButton is the better fit for LMS-centered education teams on a budget. Class is the better fit for higher education using established LMS platforms.

  • BigBlueButton fits best

    LMS-centered education teams on a budget

  • Class fits best

    Higher education using established LMS platforms

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature BigBlueButton 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Class 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.3
Ranking #1 in Virtual Classroom Software #12 in Virtual Classroom Software
Best for LMS-centered education teams on a budget Higher education using established LMS platforms
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Open source Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension Cloud
Platforms Web, Linux Web
Support Community, Docs Email
Compliance GDPR SOC 2, GDPR
Integrations 6 integrations 11 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features BigBlueButton 4/4 · Class 3/4
Breakout rooms ✓ ✓
Attendance tracking ✓ ✓
Class recording ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Interactive whiteboard ✓ ✓
Specs
Maximum participants Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms All Browser
Our review
Pros
  • Open-source model with a free plan
  • Breakout rooms, polling, recording, and interactive whiteboard
  • Integrates with Canvas, Moodle Cloud, Sakai, and other LMSs
  • Monitored breakout rooms with room-specific content
  • Attendance, recordings, gradebook, analytics, and LMS passback
  • Shared and individual whiteboards plus live polls and surveys
Cons
  • Primarily self-hosted, so teams take on server administration.
  • Platform coverage is narrower than a broad all-in-one classroom suite.
  • Hosted pricing varies by independent providers.
  • Platform coverage is limited to the web
  • Pricing requires contact with sales
  • Its broad feature set is aimed at institutional programs
Our verdict

BigBlueButton is an open-source virtual classroom system for teachers, learners, and education teams that center their work in a learning management system. It brings live audio and video conferencing, presentation and document sharing,…

Read the review →

Class is a browser-based virtual classroom for K-12, higher education, government agencies, and workplace training. It is designed for institutions delivering synchronous or hybrid learning, particularly those that already organize courses…

Read the review →
  1. BigBlueButtonVirtual Classroom Software 9.3Open source
  2. ClassVirtual Classroom Software 7.3Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • BigBlueButton — where it wins

    • Open-source model with a free plan
    • Breakout rooms, polling, recording, and interactive whiteboard
    • Integrates with Canvas, Moodle Cloud, Sakai, and other LMSs

    Where it doesn't

    • Primarily self-hosted, so teams take on server administration.
    • Platform coverage is narrower than a broad all-in-one classroom suite.
    • Hosted pricing varies by independent providers.

  • Class — where it wins

    • Monitored breakout rooms with room-specific content
    • Attendance, recordings, gradebook, analytics, and LMS passback
    • Shared and individual whiteboards plus live polls and surveys

    Where it doesn't

    • Platform coverage is limited to the web
    • Pricing requires contact with sales
    • Its broad feature set is aimed at institutional programs
  • BigBlueButton9.3/10 · Open source

    A free, LMS-connected virtual classroom focused on core online teaching tools.

    Visit BigBlueButtonFull verdict →
  • Class7.3/10 · Pricing on request

    A browser-based classroom for institutions that need structured live instruction and LMS workflows.

    Visit ClassFull verdict →

More comparisons

All virtual classroom software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update