Agora vs LiveKit
A head-to-head comparison of Agora and LiveKit, And what features and value does Video SDK offer?
Agora
Live Video SDK aims to make live video calls and live streams inside applications easier. The SDK is very low-level and allows enterprise development teams to control every aspect of the live video experience.
Livekit
is a collection of SDKs that enables the integration of live video and audio into your native applications. It offers various notable features, including live streaming, in-game communication, video calls, and more. Livekit utilizes a modern, end-to-end WebRTC stack to deliver seamless and high-quality real-time communication experiences.How Video SDK make a difference?
If you're in search of a dependable live video conference SDK, you might have come across Livekit and Agora. Both are good platforms that provide SDKs for integrating live video calling and related features into your application.
Livekit and Agora offer reasonably reliable audio and video conferencing performance. However, achieving this requires writing lengthy blocks of code. Additionally, you may not find all the necessary features conveniently available in a single SDK.
And here comes Video SDK. A quite easy and quick SDK that helps you deal with multiple features, such as chat, polls, breakout rooms, streaming capability, and RTMP out — all in a single SDK.
In this comparison, we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of LiveKit and Agora, assisting you in making an informed decision.
Features Comparison : Agora vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Agora | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of participants (Including hosts) | ✕ Agora not supports more than 55 participants. | ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✓ VideoSDK supports millions participants. |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Agora generally requires more than 3 months for SDK integration. | ✕ Development is moderately tough | ✓ VideoSDK generally requires more than 2 weeks for SDK integration . |
Adpative audio/video quality | ✕ Agora not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✕ LiveKit not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✓ VideoSDK offers adaptive audio/video quality. |
Works behind the Firewall, Private Network | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates | ✕ Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates not available in Agora. | ✕ Limited to host & participant roles | ✓ VideoSDK offer Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✕ Not available | ✕ Not Available | ✓ In VideoSDK no needed manual configuration. |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✕ In Agora collaborative features is not available. | ✕ In LiveKit collaborative features is not available. | ✓ Collaborative features available VideoSDK. |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Complex integration | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Easy integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Only use cloud recording use-cases. | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✓ Usage based | ✕ Subscription based | ✓ Usage based Price |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ Agora supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ LiveKit supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports interactive live streaming . |
Cloud Recording | ✓ Agora offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ LiveKit offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ VideoSDK offers cloud recording capabilities. |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✓ Agora provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides an interactive whiteboard feature. |
Multi-platform | ✓ Agora supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✕ LiveKit not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. |
Interactive Participant Support | ✕ Agora provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✕ LiveKit provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✓ Up to 5,000 |
Mobile browser support | ✕ Agora offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✕ LiveKit offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✓ Video support only 90% mobile browsers. |
Automatic audio / video degrade, re-connectivity | ✕ Agora not supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments. | ✓ LiveKit supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ VideoSDK supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. |
Audio & Video powered by AI | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Independent of Open Source Dependency | ✕ Agora is not dependent on open source. | ✓ LiveKit is not dependent on open source. | ✕ VideoSDK is not dependent on open source. |
Customised RTMP, Cloud Recording, HLS | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for building specific features such as collaborative games, polls etc | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API to build social features such as merging rooms, battles, coins, gifts sending etc | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Full HD recording | ✓ Agora supports full HD recording. | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording. |
Open source templates | ✕ Agora not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✕ LiveKit not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ VideoSDK heavily rely on open source templates. |
Full Custom roles | ✕ Agora offer limited support for full custom roles. | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles. |
HLS Streaming | ✓ Agora supports HLS streaming. | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming. |
Cost-effective | ✕ Agora is not cost effective. | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is cost effective. |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ Agora not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ LiveKit not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. |
Fully customizable UI | ✓ Agora allows for a customizable UI. | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for a Limited customizable UI. |
Metaverse platform support | ✕ Agora not support Metaverse platform. | ✕ LiveKit not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform. |
Session analytics | ✓ Agora offer session analytics option. | ✕ LiveKit not offer session analytics option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option. |
Data Tracks | ✕ Agora not offer data tracks option. | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option. |
features | Agora | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of participants (Including hosts) | ✕ Agora not supports more than 55 participants. | ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✓ VideoSDK supports millions participants. |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Agora generally requires more than 3 months for SDK integration. | ✕ Development is moderately tough | ✓ VideoSDK generally requires more than 2 weeks for SDK integration . |
Adpative audio/video quality | ✕ Agora not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✕ LiveKit not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✓ VideoSDK offers adaptive audio/video quality. |
Works behind the Firewall, Private Network | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates | ✕ Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates not available in Agora. | ✕ Limited to host & participant roles | ✓ VideoSDK offer Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✕ Not available | ✕ Not Available | ✓ In VideoSDK no needed manual configuration. |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✕ In Agora collaborative features is not available. | ✕ In LiveKit collaborative features is not available. | ✓ Collaborative features available VideoSDK. |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Complex integration | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Easy integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Only use cloud recording use-cases. | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✓ Usage based | ✕ Subscription based | ✓ Usage based Price |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ Agora supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ LiveKit supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports interactive live streaming . |
Cloud Recording | ✓ Agora offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ LiveKit offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ VideoSDK offers cloud recording capabilities. |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✓ Agora provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides an interactive whiteboard feature. |
Multi-platform | ✓ Agora supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✕ LiveKit not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. |
Interactive Participant Support | ✕ Agora provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✕ LiveKit provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✓ Up to 5,000 |
Mobile browser support | ✕ Agora offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✕ LiveKit offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✓ Video support only 90% mobile browsers. |
Automatic audio / video degrade, re-connectivity | ✕ Agora not supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments. | ✓ LiveKit supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ VideoSDK supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. |
Audio & Video powered by AI | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Independent of Open Source Dependency | ✕ Agora is not dependent on open source. | ✓ LiveKit is not dependent on open source. | ✕ VideoSDK is not dependent on open source. |
Customised RTMP, Cloud Recording, HLS | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for building specific features such as collaborative games, polls etc | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API to build social features such as merging rooms, battles, coins, gifts sending etc | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Full HD recording | ✓ Agora supports full HD recording. | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording. |
Open source templates | ✕ Agora not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✕ LiveKit not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ VideoSDK heavily rely on open source templates. |
Full Custom roles | ✕ Agora offer limited support for full custom roles. | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles. |
HLS Streaming | ✓ Agora supports HLS streaming. | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming. |
Cost-effective | ✕ Agora is not cost effective. | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is cost effective. |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ Agora not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ LiveKit not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. |
Fully customizable UI | ✓ Agora allows for a customizable UI. | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for a Limited customizable UI. |
Metaverse platform support | ✕ Agora not support Metaverse platform. | ✕ LiveKit not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform. |
Session analytics | ✓ Agora offer session analytics option. | ✕ LiveKit not offer session analytics option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option. |
Data Tracks | ✕ Agora not offer data tracks option. | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option. |
Price Comparison : Agora vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Agora | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ Agora not offer the volume discount. | ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | ✓ VideoSDK offer the volume discount . |
Video Conferencing |
|
|
|
Analytics | ✕
| ✓ Free | ✓ VideoSDK offer free analytics. |
Separate pricing for video and audio | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 minutes every month | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Minimum price for video calls | $0.0039 per participant minute | $0.02 per participant minute | $0.002 per participant minute |
Minimum price for audio-only calls | $0.00099 per participant minute | $0.005 per participant minute | $0.0006 per participant min |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ Agora not offer firewall control. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer free firewall control. |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ Agora provides robust support only for HIPAA compliance, although it comes with associated charges. | ✕ LiveKit not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Secure real-time audio-video to your app or website with compliance and privacy.
|
Cloud recording pricing |
| No accurate data available |
|
RTMP pricing |
| No accurate data available |
|
ILS pricing | Aggregated resolution based per participant pricing |
|
|
Storage pricing | Extra cost | No accurate data available |
|
features | Agora | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ Agora not offer the volume discount. | ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | ✓ VideoSDK offer the volume discount . |
Video Conferencing |
|
|
|
Analytics | ✕
| ✓ Free | ✓ VideoSDK offer free analytics. |
Separate pricing for video and audio | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 minutes every month | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Minimum price for video calls | $0.0039 per participant minute | $0.02 per participant minute | $0.002 per participant minute |
Minimum price for audio-only calls | $0.00099 per participant minute | $0.005 per participant minute | $0.0006 per participant min |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ Agora not offer firewall control. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer free firewall control. |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ Agora provides robust support only for HIPAA compliance, although it comes with associated charges. | ✕ LiveKit not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Secure real-time audio-video to your app or website with compliance and privacy.
|
Cloud recording pricing |
| No accurate data available |
|
RTMP pricing |
| No accurate data available |
|
ILS pricing | Aggregated resolution based per participant pricing |
|
|
Storage pricing | Extra cost | No accurate data available |
|
Support Comparison : Agora vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Agora | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Paid | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Cost |
| Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan | Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK. |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer |
| ✕ No | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs |
| ✕ Only accounts having Enterprise plan | ✓ Inexpensive SLA with 99.9% uptime |
features | Agora | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Paid | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Cost |
| Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan | Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK. |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer |
| ✕ No | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs |
| ✕ Only accounts having Enterprise plan | ✓ Inexpensive SLA with 99.9% uptime |
See why customers love Video SDK
“I still remember when I was trying out the product and connected over discord with Arjun Kava, and he immediately responded. It is one of the things that we found less often. The team is super enthusiastic to make the product as next big thing. Easy integration is the beauty of it. Few lines of code and it's done.”
Ankur Chandra ,
Engineering Manager at Fynd
FAQ
