How to Self-Host Jitsi Meet on a VPS (Complete Guide)

Self-hosting Jitsi Meet on a VPS (Virtual Private Server) can elevate your video conferencing experience while providing you with full control over your data. This complete guide walks you through the process step-by-step. Whether you are a developer, a homelabber, or just someone looking for more privacy, our guide helps you install Jitsi Meet on various VPS providers effectively.

What is Jitsi Meet?

Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing platform that allows users to host and join video calls securely. It’s an excellent choice for individuals and organizations that prefer self-hosting solutions due to privacy concerns and customization possibilities.

VPS Choosing Considerations

When selecting a VPS for hosting Jitsi Meet, consider the following specifications:

• CPU: A minimum of 2 CPU cores is recommended for decent performance.
• RAM: At least 4 GB of RAM for moderate-sized meetings.
• Storage: SSD storage is preferred for quicker access and performance.
• Bandwidth: Look for plans with unmetered bandwidth.

Here’s a quick comparison of some popular VPS providers:

Setting Up Your VPS

Step 1: Choose a VPS Provider

Select a VPS provider based on your needs and budget. For instance, Hetzner Cloud offers a low starting price of 4.15 EUR/month that fits budget-friendly requirements. You can find a full VPS comparison here.

Step 2: Provision a VPS Instance

After selecting your provider, create your VPS instance. Choose Ubuntu 20.04 LTS as your operating system, as it is widely supported and stable for hosting applications.

Step 3: Access Your VPS

Once your VPS instance is live, use SSH to log in:

ssh root@your_vps_ip

Replace your_vps_ip with your VPS’s IP address.

Installing Jitsi Meet

Step 4: Update Your Server

Start by updating your server:

apt update && apt upgrade -y

Step 5: Install Dependencies

Jitsi Meet requires the following dependencies; install them using:

apt install -y apt-transport-https gnupg2

Step 6: Add the Jitsi Repository

Import the Jitsi repository signing key and add the repository:

wget -qO - https://download.jitsi.org/jitsi-key.gpg.key | apt-key add -
echo "deb https://download.jitsi.org unstable/" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jitsi-stable.list

Step 7: Install Jitsi Meet

Update the packages and install Jitsi Meet:

apt update
apt install -y jitsi-meet

Step 8: Configure Your Domain

You will be prompted to enter your domain name during installation. If you use a subdomain like meet.your-domain.com, ensure you have A records pointing to your VPS IP address.

Step 9: Set Up SSL

To secure your installation with HTTPS, Jitsi Meet can integrate with Let’s Encrypt:

/usr/share/jitsi-meet/scripts/install-letsencrypt-ssl.sh

Follow the prompts to complete the SSL configuration.

Running Jitsi Meet

After completing the installation, you can access Jitsi Meet via your web browser at https://meet.your-domain.com. You can create meetings by simply entering a room name and inviting participants.

Jitsi Meet with Docker

If you prefer Docker for ease of management, here’s how to deploy Jitsi Meet using Docker:

1. Install Docker and Docker Compose:

   apt install -y docker.io docker-compose

2. Clone the Jitsi Docker Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/jitsi/docker-jitsi-meet.git
   cd docker-jitsi-meet

3. Copy the Sample Environment File:

   cp env.example .env

4. Modify the .env file with your preferences.

5. Start the Containers:

   docker-compose up -d

6. Access Jitsi Meet via your browser.

FAQs

1. Can I host Jitsi Meet on any VPS?

Yes, you can host Jitsi Meet on virtually any VPS provider as long as it meets the minimum requirements for CPU, RAM, and bandwidth. Providers like Contabo and Hetzner Cloud are popular due to their competitive prices and performance capabilities.

2. What are the advantages of self-hosting Jitsi Meet?

Self-hosting Jitsi Meet offers enhanced privacy since no third-party service is involved in your communication. Additionally, it provides customization options, allowing you to tailor the platform to fit specific organizational needs. This approach can also reduce costs if your usage exceeds the free tier limits of cloud-based options.

3. How reliable is Jitsi Meet for professional meetings?

Jitsi Meet is designed for high reliability and can support a large number of participants in a meeting without a significant drop in quality. By properly configuring your server and ensuring adequate resources, Jitsi Meet can successfully handle business calls, webinars, and large group meetings seamlessly.

By following the above steps, you can successfully self-host Jitsi Meet on a VPS. Enjoy the benefits of secure video conferencing with full control over your environment!