Digital Samba
Anyone who wants truly free, unlimited video conferencing without compromises — plus privacy-conscious organizations and developers needing GDPR-native embedded video via Digital Samba Embedded
8x8 Work
Global businesses that need unlimited international calling bundled with video conferencing and UCaaS
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Digital Samba
Anyone who wants truly free, unlimited video conferencing without compromises — plus privacy-conscious organizations and developers needing GDPR-native embedded video via Digital Samba Embedded
Digital Samba offers something no other platform can match: a completely free video conferencing product (DS Free) with no participant limits, no session time limits, and no 40-minute gotchas — a genuine free alternative to the Big 3. The company makes its money through Digital Samba Embedded, a VPaaS product for developers who need white-label video with full API/SDK access and EU-only data residency. The collaboration toolset — breakout rooms, whiteboard, polling, quizzes, Q&A, shared notes — goes deeper than many premium competitors. With 20+ years in business and privacy baked into the architecture (not bolted on), Digital Samba is a serious contender that flies under the radar.
Strengths
- DS Free is completely free with no participant limits, no time limits, and no catch — a genuine alternative to Zoom, Teams, and Meet without the annoying 40-minute cap
- Privacy-first, GDPR-native platform — all infrastructure EU-only, zero-tracking business model, no data sold or shared
- Comprehensive feature set rivaling premium platforms — breakout rooms, whiteboard, polling (30 options), quizzes, Q&A with upvoting, shared notes, and AI captions/transcriptions/summaries
- Full API parity with the UI, SDK, webhooks, and CNAME white-labeling — strongest embedded/VPaaS offering for developers via Digital Samba Embedded
Limitations
- Embedded product uses EUR-based pricing and usage-based model (participation minutes), which adds complexity vs simple per-seat pricing
- Less brand recognition outside Europe — smaller community and fewer third-party reviews compared to the Big 3
- AI features launched recently (late 2025) — functional but still maturing compared to Zoom AI Companion or Teams Copilot
When to Choose 8x8 Work
Global businesses that need unlimited international calling bundled with video conferencing and UCaaS
8x8 Work's standout feature is unlimited international calling to 48 countries, which is genuinely unique in the market. The video conferencing is solid but not exceptional. Best for global teams where the calling bundle justifies the price — for video-only needs, there are better options.
Strengths
- Unlimited international calling to 48 countries included — unique value for global teams
- AI meeting summaries and insights across voice, video, and messaging channels
- Strong compliance credentials for regulated industries (HIPAA, GDPR)
- Unified platform covering phone, video, chat, and contact center
Limitations
- No free tier — requires commitment to the full UCaaS platform
- AI features are less advanced than Zoom AI Companion or Dialpad
- Pricing not publicly listed — requires contacting sales for exact quotes
