Briefing The European alternative to Zoom

Briefing is an open-source video conferencing web app from Dirk Holtwick in Itzehoe (Germany). The application runs directly in the browser and uses WebRTC for peer-to-peer video streams without a central server. Features include group video, text chat, screen sharing and invitation links. No installation and no account are required. The hosted variant is available free of charge at brie.fi/ng, and an iOS app is available.

Briefing works peer-to-peer: audio and video streams flow directly between participant browsers, without a central media server. Only the initial WebRTC negotiation uses a signaling server. The hosted variant brie.fi/ng is operated by German developer Dirk Holtwick. Self-hosting is possible via Docker and on platforms such as fly.io or render.com. Because no server stores content, typical hosting risks are reduced.

Briefing does not store content centrally: audio and video run peer-to-peer between browsers. Zoom operates central media servers in the USA and is subject to the CLOUD Act. Zoom has the larger feature and scaling range (breakout rooms, webinar, recordings). Briefing is designed for privacy and self-determination and is intended for small to mid-sized groups. The AGPL 3.0 license keeps the code permanently open.