BigBlueButton 3.0 (latest stable 3.0.27 in 2026) is the biggest virtual-classroom update in years. The headline changes: a rebuilt whiteboard on tldraw v2 with an experimental infinite canvas, a brand-new Quiz tool, smarter chat (edit, react, reply, delete), new layouts including the Unified Layout, an improved Away mode, BlockNote shared notes, and a plugin system that brings H5P activities, code highlighting, random-user picking and typed captions right inside the session. Because BBB ships inside Moodle core, an edzlms (Moodle-based) platform gives you BBB 3.0 plus EDZLMS AI tutoring and Gelato roleplay on top — no separate conferencing server to buy.
Key takeaways
- BBB 3.0 rebuilds the whiteboard on tldraw v2 (with an experimental infinite canvas), adds a Quiz tool, and modernises chat with edit, react, reply and delete.
- A new plugin system (HTML5 Plugin SDK) makes BBB modular — official plugins include H5P, Pick Random User, Source-code highlight, Typed captions, Share-a-link and Session share.
- H5P now runs inside the session, so interactive drag-and-drop and crossword activities no longer need screen-sharing or a separate tab.
- Quality-of-life wins: new layouts (incl. the Unified Layout), improved Away mode, push-to-talk, transparent listen-only audio, private-chat read receipts, a safer Leave button and BlockNote shared notes.
- BBB is built into Moodle core, so an edzlms (Moodle-based) site gives you BBB 3.0 plus EDZLMS AI tutoring and Gelato scored roleplay layered on live classes.
- Self-hosting means you own every upgrade; a managed Moodle platform keeps you on the latest stable BBB automatically.
BigBlueButton 3.0: the biggest virtual-classroom update in years
BigBlueButton (BBB) has always been built for educators, and version 3.0 is its most significant release to date — focused on usability, engagement and performance. It first shipped in 2025 and has matured fast across the 3.0.x line; the latest stable build in 2026 is 3.0.27, with new capabilities landing in nearly every point release.
If you run live classes — in a school, a university, or a corporate training team — this is the guide to what actually changed and why it matters. BBB also ships inside Moodle as a core activity, so most of these features are a Moodle upgrade away. Below: the headline features, the plugin system and H5P, how BBB compares to Zoom, Teams and Meet, and how to get 3.0 on your own platform.
The headline new features in BigBlueButton 3.0
A rebuilt whiteboard (tldraw v2) with an infinite canvas
The whiteboard is now powered by version 2 of tldraw, bringing faster, smoother multi-user annotation, better shape and freehand tools, sticky notes, text highlighting and clickable links. A prototype Infinite Canvas lets you write into the margins and expand the workspace. From 3.0.20, multi-user whiteboard stays enabled across slide changes (no more re-enabling per slide), and breakout rooms now have it on by default.
A new Quiz tool
Introduced in 3.0.11 next to the existing Polling feature, the Quiz lets a presenter ask a question and get immediate feedback on who answered correctly — a genuine formative-assessment tool built into the live session, not a bolt-on.
Smarter public & private chat
Chat finally feels modern: edit your own messages, react with emojis, reply to a specific message, and delete individual messages (author or moderator). Private chats now show read receipts so you know when a learner has seen your message.
New layouts, including the Unified Layout
3.0 adds purpose-built layouts — “Cameras Only”, “Presentation Only”, “Participants and Chat Only” and “Media Only” — handy for hybrid rooms that split the session across physical screens. From 3.0.19, the new Unified Layout behaves like Custom Layout when a presentation is active and like Grid when it isn’t, and is set to eventually replace the old layout manager.
Improved Away mode
Setting yourself Away (now in the three-dots menu) mutes your mic, masks your webcam, adds an icon to your avatar and posts a note in chat — so instructors stop asking “Are you still there?” in large sessions.
BlockNote shared notes
3.0.25 introduced BlockNote shared notes — a modern rich-text collaborative editor (tables, markdown-style formatting) tightly integrated with BBB’s React/TypeScript stack.
Audio & quality-of-life upgrades
- Transparent listen-only — switch between Listen Only and Microphone without rejoining audio (on by default since 3.0).
- Push-to-talk — hold a key to speak in busy rooms.
- Redesigned raised-hands list (3.0.17+) in the left panel, so no raised hand gets missed.
- Safer Leave button — enabled by default and reworked so moderators don’t accidentally end the session for everyone.
- Clearer poll results displayed over the whiteboard and in chat.
Plugins and H5P: BigBlueButton becomes modular
The single most strategic change in 3.0 is the plugin system. BBB now exposes an HTML5 Plugin SDK with a data channel between clients, so organisations can add (or remove) capabilities without forking the core. The biggest payoff: H5P runs inside the session — interactive drag-and-drop and crossword activities embedded directly in the classroom, no screen-share or second tab required.
| Official plugin | What it adds |
|---|---|
| H5P | Embed interactive H5P activities (drag-and-drop, crosswords, more) live in the session. |
| Pick Random User | Randomly select a participant — great for cold-calling and quiz games. |
| Source-code highlight | Syntax-highlighted code blocks for technical and CS training. |
| Typed Captions | Manual closed-caption entry for accessibility compliance. |
| Share a link | Push a clickable webpage/link to everyone without screen-sharing. |
| Session share | Let others join a live session by invite link or QR code. |
| Decrease volume on speak | Auto-lowers external video volume when someone talks. |
Some legacy core features were moved out of the default build and are now optional plugins — a deliberate, lean-by-default design. You install only what your rooms actually use.
BigBlueButton 3.0 vs Zoom, Teams and Google Meet
BBB is purpose-built for teaching, open-source, and self-hostable — a different model from the big commercial platforms. Here’s how 3.0 stacks up on the things that matter for learning.
| Capability | BigBlueButton 3.0 | Zoom | Teams | Google Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built for teaching | Yes — core design goal | General meetings | General meetings | General meetings |
| Multi-user whiteboard | tldraw v2, infinite canvas | Add-on board | Whiteboard app | Basic |
| In-session quizzes | Built-in Quiz + Polls | Polls/quiz add-on | Forms add-on | Limited |
| Interactive H5P | Native plugin | No | No | No |
| LMS integration | Native in Moodle + LTI 1.3 | LTI | LTI | LTI |
| Data & recording ownership | Your server/storage | Vendor cloud | Vendor cloud | Vendor cloud |
| Cost model | Open-source, self-host or managed | Per-host licence | M365 licence | Workspace tier |
Weighing a switch either way? See our guides to the best BigBlueButton alternatives in 2026 and BigBlueButton vs other video-conferencing tools.
How edzlms takes BigBlueButton further
BBB is a superb live classroom — but a live class is only part of learning. edzlms is a Moodle-based platform, so you get BigBlueButton’s virtual classroom built in, and then two AI layers on top: EDZLMS AI, an AI tutor and course builder, and Gelato, our roleplay AI for scored conversation practice. Run the live session in BBB, then let learners revise with an AI tutor and rehearse real sales, support or compliance conversations with scored feedback — all in one platform, with reporting that ties it together. Pair it with the right Moodle plugin stack and you have a complete teaching system.
- 1Check your current version
In BBB, the version shows in the client/About; on Moodle, check the BigBlueButton activity plugin version. Target the latest stable 3.0.x.
- 2Upgrade BBB or Moodle
Self-hosters: run the official bbb-install upgrade to 3.0.x on a supported Ubuntu base. Moodle users: update the BigBlueButton activity and core to a 3.0-compatible release.
- 3Enable the plugins you want
Add the H5P, Quiz-adjacent, code-highlight, typed-captions or random-user plugins via the HTML5 Plugin SDK / your provider's plugin manager.
- 4Test on a staging room
Run a test session: whiteboard, quiz, breakout rooms, recording and your LTI link to Moodle/Canvas before rolling out to classes.
- 5Brief your instructors
Share what moved (Away mode, Leave button, layouts) and what's new (Quiz, H5P, shared notes) so teaching staff use it from day one.
Self-hosted BigBlueButton
- Full control and data ownership
- No licence fees (your infrastructure cost)
- You manage every 3.0.x upgrade and test
- You wire up LTI, recordings and TURN/WebRTC
- No built-in AI tutoring or scored roleplay
edzlms (managed Moodle + AI)
- BigBlueButton virtual classroom built in
- Kept current on stable BBB automatically
- EDZLMS AI tutor + AI course builder
- Gelato roleplay practice with scored feedback
- One platform: live classes, courses, reporting
Want BigBlueButton set up inside your LMS?
edzlms builds and runs Moodle-based platforms with BigBlueButton, the right plugin stack, and AI tutoring and roleplay on top — configured around your courses. Book a free demo or email marketing@edzlms.com and we’ll scope it with you.
Pro tip
Before a big rollout, test recordings end-to-end on 3.0.x — whiteboard annotations and the new layouts can change how playback looks. Confirm your Moodle/Canvas LTI shows recordings before you announce the upgrade to teachers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest version of BigBlueButton?
BigBlueButton 3.0 is the current major release. The latest stable build in 2026 is 3.0.27, with features added steadily across the 3.0.x point releases.
What are the biggest new features in BigBlueButton 3.0?
A rebuilt tldraw-v2 whiteboard with an experimental infinite canvas, a built-in Quiz tool, smarter chat (edit/react/reply/delete), new layouts including the Unified Layout, improved Away mode, BlockNote shared notes, and a plugin system that brings H5P into the session.
Does BigBlueButton 3.0 support H5P?
Yes. Via the official H5P plugin, interactive H5P activities (such as drag-and-drop and crosswords) run directly inside the live session — no screen-sharing or separate tab required.
What is the BigBlueButton plugin system?
BBB 3.0 added an HTML5 Plugin SDK so capabilities can be added or removed without changing the core. Official plugins include H5P, Pick Random User, Source-code highlight, Typed captions, Share-a-link and Session share.
Is BigBlueButton free, and how does it compare to Zoom?
BBB is open-source and free to self-host; you pay only for infrastructure or a managed host. Unlike Zoom or Teams, it's purpose-built for teaching, integrates natively with Moodle, and keeps your recordings on your own storage.
How do I get BigBlueButton 3.0 on Moodle?
BigBlueButton ships as a core activity in Moodle. Update the BigBlueButton activity plugin and your Moodle core to a 3.0-compatible release, or use a managed Moodle platform like edzlms that stays current automatically.
How is edzlms different from plain BigBlueButton?
edzlms is a Moodle-based platform that includes the BBB virtual classroom and adds EDZLMS AI tutoring and Gelato scored roleplay — so live classes, AI revision and conversation practice live in one place with shared reporting.
See edzlms in action
Get BigBlueButton’s live classroom plus AI course-building and scored roleplay on one Moodle-based platform. Book a 45-minute demo tailored to your industry.