European alternatives > Video calling

European video calling apps

Video calls are where work meetings, family conversations, online classes, interviews, medical appointments, and private discussions increasingly happen. Choosing a private video calling app is about who handles your conversations, metadata, recordings, and account data.

European video calling apps offer alternatives to Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and FaceTime, with stronger privacy expectations and data protection standards, and less reliance on mainstream communication platforms — especially if you want to support the European tech ecosystem.

Here are some privacy-first, European search engines to consider using for everyday web searches.

Proton Meet

Based: Geneva, Switzerland

A privacy-first video calling service with end-to-end encryption

End-to-end encrypted video calls and chat messages
Can be used without an account
No ads, tracking, profiling, or analytics(nyt vindue). It replaces IP addresses(nyt vindue) with country codes in logs.
Hosted within Proton’s privacy-first infrastructure
Aligns with GDPR
Free, open-source, and audited

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Start a free meeting

Nextcloud Talk

Based: Berlin, Germany

A fully self hosted, on-premises audio/video and chat communication service

Data and metadata remain on your own server
End-to-end encryption for supported configurations
Designed to avoid tracking calls or analyzing metadata
Open-source code
Part of the NextCloud private communication platform

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Whereby

Based: Oslo, Norway

A browser-based video conferencing app focused on simplicity and privacy

End-to-end encryption for small meetings, with encrypted media in transit for larger calls
No downloads or accounts required for guests
Aligns with GDPR
Designed to minimize the collection of personal data

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Infomaniak kMeet

Based: Geneva, Switzerland

A deployment of the open-source Jitsi Meet, hosted on the Swiss cloud

End-to-end encryption is possible
No registration via email address is required
No ads
Password-protected meeting rooms

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Digital Samba

Based: Barcelona, Spain

A secure and easy video conferencing tool developed in Europe

End-to-end encryption
No account, downloads, or credit cards required to start meetings
All data is hosted on European servers
Similar to Zoom or Teams

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Why choose European video calling apps?

Stronger data protection laws

Many European video calling providers, especially those based in the EU or EEA, operate under GDPR — one of the world’s strongest data protection frameworks. GDPR gives you more control over how companies collect, process, store, and share personal information.

Less tracking and meeting analytics

Mainstream video platforms may collect usage data such as call duration, device details, participant activity, meeting metadata, and product analytics. Privacy-focused European services often limit this tracking and reduce how much data is collected about your conversations.

Less exposure to foreign jurisdiction

Choosing Europe-based services means less reliance on Big Tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. As American companies, these are subject to US surveillance laws that can allow authorities to access user data without the warrant protections most people assume apply, no matter where you live.

Less reliance on Big Tech

Video calling from Google, Microsoft, and Apple is often tied into wider ecosystems of email, calendars, cloud storage, productivity tools, analytics, and AI services. Choosing a European video app helps separate your meetings from these data-driven platforms and gives you more control over your communication.

Which European video calling app is best for you?

Different video calling apps do different things well. The right choice depends on how you balance privacy, features, and ease of use.

Maximum privacy: Proton Meet, Nextcloud Talk, and Infomaniak kMeet offer strong encryption and minimal data collection.
No account required: Proton Meet, Whereby, Jitsi, and Digital Samba let you start or join calls without creating an account.
Self-hosted control: Nextcloud Talk and Jitsi allow you to host your own infrastructure and manage your data.
Simple browser calls: Proton Meet and Whereby work directly in your browser without downloads.
Team collaboration: Nextcloud Talk and Digital Samba include tools designed for group communication and secure teamwork.
Secure everyday use: Proton Meet combines strong encryption with ease of use, making it a practical choice for both personal and professional calls.

Tips for switching to European video calling apps

Switching video calling apps can feel unfamiliar at first, especially if your meetings depend on established tools. These tips help you transition smoothly while keeping your calls running without disruption.

Start with one meeting

Run a small test call with a few participants first to avoid switching everything at once. Starting small helps you check quality and get comfortable with the interface.

Share meeting links early

Video calls depend on participation, so sharing links in advance helps avoid delays and confusion. Clear invites make it easier for others to join without setup issues

Keep existing apps temporarily

Keeping your current video tools active helps you stay connected while others transition and reduces the risk of missed meetings during the switch.

Review privacy settings

Check encryption, access controls, and meeting permissions to make sure your calls are protected.

Test audio and video

Run a quick check of your microphone, camera, and connection before important calls to avoid disruptions once meetings begin.

Expect fewer integrations

Privacy-focused tools may limit integrations with third-party services, which can change how some features behave.

Not European, but still not Big Tech video calling apps

If you’re open to options outside Europe, there are a few video calling apps with stronger privacy approaches than Big Tech platforms. All these companies are subject to the laws of their respective countries.

Jitsi

Based: United States (originally France)

A video conferencing app best for self-hosted meetings

Self-hosting features for organizations to control infrastructure and data
No account required for many deployments
End-to-end encryption is optional and limited

Free and open source

Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Brave Talk

Based: United States

A video calling service built into the Brave browser with a focus on privacy

Built on open-source Jitsi infrastructure
Designed to avoid tracking or profiling
No account required for basic use
Optional paid features for larger meetings