BigBlueButton
BigBlueButton is an open-source virtual classroom software designed specifically for online learning, providing teachers with essential tools like real-time polling, breakout rooms, and multi-user whiteboards to engage students effectively.
Riverside
Riverside is a high-quality remote recording software that captures studio-grade video and audio locally from each participant to ensure professional results regardless of your internet connection strength.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | BigBlueButton | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Website | bigbluebutton.org | riverside.fm |
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2007 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Ottawa, Canada | Tel Aviv, Israel |
Overview
BigBlueButton
BigBlueButton is a specialized web conferencing system built by and for educators. Unlike general-purpose meeting tools, you get a platform designed specifically for the dynamics of a classroom. You can engage your students through integrated tools like multi-user whiteboards, real-time polling, and shared notes, all within a browser-based interface that requires no software installation for your participants.
You can easily manage large groups by moving students into breakout rooms for collaborative work or using the 'raise hand' and emoji features to maintain order. Because it is open-source, you have the flexibility to host it on your own servers for maximum privacy or integrate it directly into your existing learning management systems like Moodle, Canvas, or Schoology.
Riverside
Riverside provides you with a virtual studio to record high-quality podcasts and video interviews from anywhere in the world. Instead of relying on your internet stability, the platform records each participant locally on their own device. This means you get crystal-clear 4K video and uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio for every guest, even if their connection drops or lags during the live session.
You can manage the entire production process within one browser-based dashboard, from inviting guests to downloading separate tracks for easy editing. The platform also includes AI-powered tools to help you generate transcripts and create short-form social media clips instantly. Whether you are a solo creator or part of a large media production team, you can produce professional-grade content without expensive studio hardware.
Overview
BigBlueButton Features
- Multi-User Whiteboard Collaborate with your students in real-time by letting them draw and annotate directly on your presentation slides.
- Breakout Rooms Group your students into private sub-sessions for team projects and collaborative problem-solving exercises during your live class.
- Real-Time Polling Check for student understanding instantly by launching polls and displaying the results to the class in seconds.
- Shared Notes Build a collective knowledge base with your class using a collaborative text editor that everyone can edit simultaneously.
- LMS Integration Connect your virtual classroom directly to Moodle, Canvas, or Sakai to manage your sessions within your existing workflow.
- Session Recording Record your live lectures automatically so your students can review the material and interactive content at their own pace.
Riverside Features
- Local Recording. Record high-quality audio and video locally on each participant's device to bypass internet connection issues and lag.
- Separate Tracks. Download individual audio and video tracks for every guest so you have total control during the post-production process.
- AI Transcriptions. Generate highly accurate transcripts in seconds to speed up your editing workflow and improve content accessibility.
- Magic Clips. Use AI to identify the most engaging moments of your recording and turn them into vertical social media videos.
- Text-Based Editor. Edit your video by simply deleting text in the transcript, making complex video cuts as easy as editing a document.
- Producer Mode. Join the call to monitor and control the recording behind the scenes without appearing on the final video track.
- Live Streaming. Broadcast your recording sessions live to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn to engage with your audience in real-time.
- Mobile App. Record studio-quality interviews on the go using native iOS and Android apps that sync directly with your online studio.
Pricing Comparison
BigBlueButton Pricing
- Full source code access
- Self-hosting capabilities
- Unlimited users and sessions
- All educational features included
- Community-based support
- LMS integration modules
- Everything in Open Source, plus:
- Professional server management
- Guaranteed uptime and scaling
- Technical support desk
- Custom branding options
- Simplified setup and updates
Riverside Pricing
- Unlimited recording
- Individual audio/video tracks
- Up to 720p video quality
- 44.1 kHz audio quality
- 2 hours of separate tracks
- Watermark on exported files
- Everything in Free, plus:
- No watermarks on exports
- 5 hours of separate tracks/month
- Up to 4K video quality
- 48 kHz audio quality
- Live streaming to social media
Pros & Cons
BigBlueButton
Pros
- Completely free and open-source for self-hosting
- Deep integration with popular learning management systems
- Superior engagement tools compared to generic video tools
- No software downloads required for students or teachers
Cons
- Requires technical expertise to set up and maintain
- High server resource requirements for large sessions
- Interface can feel dated compared to modern SaaS
Riverside
Pros
- Superior audio and video quality compared to standard calling apps
- Separate tracks make professional post-production much easier
- AI clip generator saves hours of manual social media editing
- Simple browser-based interface requires no guest software installation
Cons
- Requires significant upload bandwidth for high-resolution files
- Occasional browser compatibility issues with older versions
- Mobile app features are more limited than the desktop version