Agora vs Zoom
A head-to-head comparison of Agora and Zoom, 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.
The
Zoom Video SDK
provides a reliable video conferencing experience similar to the original Client, but with added flexibility. It encompasses a wide range of services, including audio, video, chat, screen sharing, data streams, server-side APIs, and webhooks. This extensive set of features allows developers to create customized and immersive video communication experiences within their applications.How Video SDK make a difference?
When evaluating Video SDK options, Agora and Zoom are two of the most popular real-time engagement platforms (RTEPs), but they have some key differences. Agora is a cloud platform that provides developers with the tools to build customized video, voice, and messaging features into their own applications. Zoom is a more user-friendly platform that is designed for businesses and individuals to host video conferences and meetings.
However, it's essential to note that both SDKs might be considered legacy platforms, lacking some modern features like built-in collaborative tools, a low-code UI builder, and 24/7 support.
And here comes Video SDK. It’s 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.
Let’s compare Video SDK along with Agora and Zoom, and understand why Video SDK is a much better choice for all your needs.
Features Comparison : Agora vs Zoom vs Video SDK
features | Agora | Zoom Video SDK | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of participants (Including hosts) | ✕ Agora not supports more than 55 participants. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports limited participants. | ✓ VideoSDK supports millions participants. |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Agora generally requires more than 3 months for SDK integration. | ✕ Tough and restrictive | ✓ VideoSDK generally requires more than 2 weeks for SDK integration . |
Adpative audio/video quality | ✕ Agora not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✕ Adpative audio/video quality not available in Zoom Video SDK. | ✓ 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. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK offer limited Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. | ✓ VideoSDK offer Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✕ Not available | ✕ Not 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 Zoom Video SDK collaborative features are available but it`s limited. | ✓ Collaborative features available VideoSDK. |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Complex integration | ✕ Not available | ✓ Easy integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Only use cloud recording use-cases. | ✕ Only for a few states | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✓ Usage based | ✓ Usage based | ✓ Usage based Price |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ Agora supports interactive live streaming. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports interactive live streaming . |
Cloud Recording | ✓ Agora offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ Zoom Video SDK offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ VideoSDK offers cloud recording capabilities. |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✓ Agora provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ Zoom Video SDK provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides an interactive whiteboard feature. |
Multi-platform | ✓ Agora supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports not multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. |
Interactive Participant Support | ✕ Agora provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✕ Up to 300 | ✓ Up to 5,000 |
Mobile browser support | ✕ Agora offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✕ Zoom Video only support chrome brower. | ✓ Video support only 90% mobile browsers. |
Automatic audio / video degrade, re-connectivity | ✕ Agora not supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not 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. | ✓ Zoom Video SDK is 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. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording. |
Open source templates | ✕ Agora not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK 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. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles. |
HLS Streaming | ✓ Agora supports HLS streaming. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming. |
Cost-effective | ✕ Agora is not cost effective. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is cost effective. |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ Agora not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. |
Fully customizable UI | ✓ Agora allows for a customizable UI. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for a Limited customizable UI. |
Metaverse platform support | ✕ Agora not support Metaverse platform. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform. |
Session analytics | ✓ Agora offer session analytics option. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not offer session analytics option | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option. |
Data Tracks | ✕ Agora not offer data tracks option. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not offer track data option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option. |
features | Agora | Zoom Video SDK | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of participants (Including hosts) | ✕ Agora not supports more than 55 participants. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports limited participants. | ✓ VideoSDK supports millions participants. |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Agora generally requires more than 3 months for SDK integration. | ✕ Tough and restrictive | ✓ VideoSDK generally requires more than 2 weeks for SDK integration . |
Adpative audio/video quality | ✕ Agora not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✕ Adpative audio/video quality not available in Zoom Video SDK. | ✓ 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. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK offer limited Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. | ✓ VideoSDK offer Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✕ Not available | ✕ Not 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 Zoom Video SDK collaborative features are available but it`s limited. | ✓ Collaborative features available VideoSDK. |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Complex integration | ✕ Not available | ✓ Easy integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Only use cloud recording use-cases. | ✕ Only for a few states | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✓ Usage based | ✓ Usage based | ✓ Usage based Price |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ Agora supports interactive live streaming. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports interactive live streaming . |
Cloud Recording | ✓ Agora offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ Zoom Video SDK offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ VideoSDK offers cloud recording capabilities. |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✓ Agora provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ Zoom Video SDK provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides an interactive whiteboard feature. |
Multi-platform | ✓ Agora supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports not multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. |
Interactive Participant Support | ✕ Agora provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✕ Up to 300 | ✓ Up to 5,000 |
Mobile browser support | ✕ Agora offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✕ Zoom Video only support chrome brower. | ✓ Video support only 90% mobile browsers. |
Automatic audio / video degrade, re-connectivity | ✕ Agora not supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not 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. | ✓ Zoom Video SDK is 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. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording. |
Open source templates | ✕ Agora not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK 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. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles. |
HLS Streaming | ✓ Agora supports HLS streaming. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming. |
Cost-effective | ✕ Agora is not cost effective. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is cost effective. |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ Agora not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. |
Fully customizable UI | ✓ Agora allows for a customizable UI. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for a Limited customizable UI. |
Metaverse platform support | ✕ Agora not support Metaverse platform. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform. |
Session analytics | ✓ Agora offer session analytics option. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not offer session analytics option | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option. |
Data Tracks | ✕ Agora not offer data tracks option. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not offer track data option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option. |
Price Comparison : Agora vs Zoom vs Video SDK
features | Agora | Zoom Video SDK | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ Agora not offer the volume discount. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not offer the volume discount. | ✓ VideoSDK offer the volume discount . |
Video Conferencing |
|
|
|
Analytics | ✕
| ✕ No | ✓ 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 | $0.0035 per participant minute | $0.002 per participant minute |
Minimum price for audio-only calls | $0.00099 per participant minute | $0.0035 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. | ✕ Zoom provides robust support for Only SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. | ✓ Secure real-time audio-video to your app or website with compliance and privacy.
|
Cloud recording pricing |
|
|
|
RTMP pricing |
|
|
|
ILS pricing | Aggregated resolution based per participant pricing | NA |
|
Storage pricing | Extra cost |
|
|
features | Agora | Zoom Video SDK | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ Agora not offer the volume discount. | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not offer the volume discount. | ✓ VideoSDK offer the volume discount . |
Video Conferencing |
|
|
|
Analytics | ✕
| ✕ No | ✓ 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 | $0.0035 per participant minute | $0.002 per participant minute |
Minimum price for audio-only calls | $0.00099 per participant minute | $0.0035 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. | ✕ Zoom provides robust support for Only SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. | ✓ Secure real-time audio-video to your app or website with compliance and privacy.
|
Cloud recording pricing |
|
|
|
RTMP pricing |
|
|
|
ILS pricing | Aggregated resolution based per participant pricing | NA |
|
Storage pricing | Extra cost |
|
|
Support Comparison : Agora vs Zoom vs Video SDK
features | Agora | Zoom Video SDK | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Paid | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Cost |
|
| 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 |
| ✕ No | ✓ Inexpensive SLA with 99.9% uptime |
features | Agora | Zoom Video SDK | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Paid | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Cost |
|
| 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 |
| ✕ No | ✓ Inexpensive SLA with 99.9% uptime |
See why customers love Video SDK
“We switched from a major international player to Video SDK due to their responsiveness to feedback, superior product, and better service. They outshine bigger players in the market and have been excellent in resolving issues promptly.”
Shilpa Jain ,
CEO & Co-Founder at Talk Your Heart Out
FAQ
