Whereby vs Wire
Both Whereby and Wire are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the video conferencing space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Whereby
EU- Headquarters
- Oslo, NO
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
Wire
EU- Headquarters
- Zug, CH
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- Wire is open source, giving you full code transparency and the option to self-host. Whereby is proprietary — typically offering a more streamlined setup and managed support, but without the ability to inspect or modify the source code.
- Data residency differs: Whereby hosts data in EU, while Wire hosts in Germany, EU. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Wire holds ISO 27001 certification, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. Whereby does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter for enterprise procurement requirements.
- Each product has unique strengths: Whereby offers No-download browser meetings and Permanent meeting room URLs, while Wire provides End-to-end encrypted messaging and Encrypted voice and video calls. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Whereby | Wire |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Whereby | Wire |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Oslo, NO | Zug, CH |
| Data Centers | EU | DE, EU |
| No-download browser meetings | ||
| Permanent meeting room URLs | ||
| Screen sharing | ||
| Meeting recording | ||
| Breakout groups | ||
| Embedded video API | ||
| Virtual backgrounds | ||
| Whiteboard collaboration | ||
| Calendar integrations | ||
| End-to-end encrypted messaging | ||
| Encrypted voice and video calls | ||
| Group video conferencing | ||
| File and screen sharing | ||
| Ephemeral messages | ||
| Guest rooms for external users | ||
| Cross-platform apps | ||
| Federation support | ||
| Open source clients and server |
Pricing Comparison
Whereby
Freefreemium
Wire
Freefreemium
Compliance Comparison
Whereby
GDPRDPA
Wire
GDPRISO 27001DPA
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How to Choose
You need code transparency or self-hosting
Choose Wire
You want a fully managed, turnkey solution
Choose Whereby
Your procurement requires ISO 27001 certification
Choose Wire
Whereby vs Wire — FAQ
What is the main difference between Whereby and Wire?
Both Whereby and Wire are European video conferencing solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Wire is open source while Whereby is proprietary. Whereby is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, while Wire is based in Zug, Switzerland. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Whereby or Wire?
Both Whereby and Wire offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Both use freemium pricing, so compare the tiers that match your team size and feature needs.
Are both Whereby and Wire GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Whereby and Wire are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. Additionally, Wire holds ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.