A brief and unbiased comparison of five major audio-video infrastructure providers: Agora SDK, Twilio Video, Vonage Video API, Zoom Video SDK, and VideoSDK.
This article aims to dissect the key attributes and constraints of five tools integral to incorporating in-app audio-video capabilities. This analysis is designed to empower CEOs, CTOs, project managers, developers, and finance teams with comprehensive insights, facilitating a more enlightened decision-making process. The tools under scrutiny include Agora, Twilio, Vonage, Zoom, and VideoSDK.
The video conferencing market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.6% during the forecast period, reaching USD 19.1 billion by 2027 from an estimated USD 10.6 billion in 2022. Because of the development of conferencing platforms based on machine learning and artificial intelligence, the companies are poised for profitable growth. These solutions enable businesses to maximize the use of collaboration platforms and increase meeting productivity by leveraging facial recognition and virtual assistant technology. With the use of AI in conferencing systems, organizations can learn more about the ideal meeting size, ideal meeting duration, and best meeting time of day.
The 'Verticalization' of Zoom
The number of 5G subscribers globally is expected to reach 5 billion by 2028.
According to the latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, 65% of the world's population would have 5G coverage, with networks handling 45% of global mobile data traffic.
Video traffic in mobile networks is expected to increase by around 30% per year until 2025. It will account for nearly 75% of mobile data traffic, up from a little more than 60% in 2019.
This article will evaluate solutions based on six criteria:
Agora: Pioneering Real-Time Communication
What is Agora.io?
Agora is a company that offers a real-time video and audio communication platform. The Agora platform makes it simple for developers to create interactive speech and video apps by offering APIs that allow them to quickly add real-time voice and video features to their applications.
The Agora platform may be used to create applications for a wide range of use cases, such as real-time video conferencing, live streaming, online education, and customer support. The technology is built to serve huge numbers of users and can offer high-quality audio and video even in low-bandwidth conditions.
Agora is based in China and has offices in USA. Since its inception in 2012, the firm has grown to become a major provider of real-time communication solutions for businesses and organizations.
Twilio: Enhancing Real-Time Engagement within Apps
What is Twilio and Twilio Video?
Twilio is a cloud communications platform that allows developers to create, grow, and manage communication solutions through the use of a set of APIs. Twilio's APIs enable developers to add voice, text, and messaging capabilities to their apps, allowing them to communicate in real time with their users.
Twilio Video may be used to create apps for a wide range of applications, including video conferencing, live streaming, online education, and customer care to making it a valuable tool for the best companies for customer experience. The technology is built to serve huge numbers of users and can give better video even in reflects the common.
Twilio was formed in 2008 and is located in San Francisco, California. It has now grown to become a global provider of cloud communication solutions, servicing customers all over the world.
Vonage Video: Seamless Integration of Communication APIs
What is Vonage and Vonage Video?
Vonage is a cloud communications platform provider that enables businesses and organizations to design, scale, and run communication solutions using a set of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Vonage's platform enables developers to integrate phone, message, and video capabilities into their apps, allowing them to engage with their consumers in real time.
Vonage Video is a cloud communications APIS for real-time video communication platform. Vonage Video makes it simple for developers to develop interactive voice and video apps by providing APIs that allow them to rapidly add real-time video capabilities to their applications.
Vonage was founded in 1998 in Holmdel, New Jersey. It has now evolved into a global provider of cloud communication solutions, serving customers worldwide.
Zoom: Simplifying Video Conferencing
What is Zoom Video SDK?
Zoom Video SDK is a collection of software development frameworks and tools made available by Zoom that enable developers to create unique video-based apps that interface with Zoom's platform. Zoom is a firm that offers a cloud-based videoconferencing and collaboration platform that allows users to connect and speak with one another in real time via the internet.
The Zoom SDK contains a number of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and SDKs (Software Development Kits) that allow developers to integrate video, audio, and messaging capabilities into their applications. Engineers may utilize the Zoom SDK to create unique video-based apps for a range of purposes such as videoconferencing, online education, and video broadcasts.
Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (or simply Zoom) is a San Jose, California-based American communications technology company.
VideoSDK: Developer-Friendly Live Audio & Video Integration
What is VideoSDK?
VideoSDK provides an API that allows developers to easily add powerful, extensible, scalable, and resilient audio-video features to their apps with just a few lines of code. Add live audio and video experiences to any platform in minutes. It abstracts the business logic of the conference room in templates. Client-side SDKs include all edge cases within the SDK rather than leaving it to the application.
Audio-Video: Agora vs Twilio vs Vonage vs Zoom vs VideoSDK
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | VideoSDK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Calling | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK |
| Video Calling | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK |
| ✔ Interactive Livestreaming | ✔ Built with Agora's Live Streaming SDK | ✔ Built with Twilio Live | ✔ Built with Vonage Live | ✘ No explicit mention in Zoom documentation | ✔ Built using the Video SDK |
Features: Agora vs Twilio vs Vonage vs Zoom vs VideoSDK
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | VideoSDK | |
| Recording | ✔ Enabled using the dashboard and API | ✔ Enabled using the dashboard and API | ✔ Enabled using the dashboard and API | ✔ Enabled using the dashboard and API | ✔ Enabled using the dashboard and API |
| External Streaming (RTMP Output) | ✔ Built using the Agora SDK | ✘ No direct support for RTMP | ✔ Built using the Vonage SDK | ✔ Built using the Zoom SDK | ✔ Built using the Video SDK |
| Screen share | ✔ Built using the SDK. | ✔ Built using getDisplayMedia API | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK |
| Remote mute | ✔ Built using the Agora RTM SDK. | ✔ Built using the Twilio Live SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK |
| Active Speaker detection | ✔ Built using the SDK. | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK |
| Noise reduction | ✔ Built using the third party integration | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Available, currently in Beta. |
Interactive Features: Agora vs Twilio vs Vonage vs Zoom vs VideoSDK
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | VideoSDK | |
| Chat | ✔ Built using the RTM SDK | ✔ Built using Twilio Conversations API. | ✔ Built using the Separate SDK | ✔ Built using the Separate SDK | ✔ Built using Pub/Sub API |
| Whiteboard | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the DataTrack API/SDK. | ✘ Unavailable | ✘ No explicit mention in Zoom docs | ✔ Built using Pub/Sub API |
| Live polls, Q&A, Quizzes | ✔ Built using the Separate SDK | ✔ Built using the DataTrack API/SDK. | ✘ Unavailable | ✘ No explicit mention in Zoom docs | ✔ Built using Pub/Sub API |
| Raise hand | ✔ Built using the agora RTM SDK | ✔ Built using the DataTrack API. | ✘ No explicit mention in Vonage docs | ✘ No explicit mention in Zoom docs | ✔ Built using Pub/Sub API |
| Emoji | ✔ Built using the Agora RTM SDK | ✔ Built using the DataTrack API | ✘ No explicit mention in Vonage docs | ✘ Unavailable | ✔ Built using Pub/Sub API |
| Notifications | ✔ Built using the Agora RTM SDK. | ✘ No explicit mention in Twilio Video docs | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✘ No explicit mention in Zoom docs | ✔ Built using Pub/Sub API |
| Background | ✔ Virtual Background extension available | ✔ Built using the Twilio video processor SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using the SDK | ✔ Built using Custom Video Track |
Resources: Agora Docs, Twilio Docs, Zoom Video SDK Docs, Vonage Docs, Video SDK Docs
Pricing: Agora vs Twilio vs Vonage vs Zoom vs VideoSDK
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | VideoSDK | |
| Pricing Model | On the basis of usage | On the basis of usage | On the basis of usage + fixed cost | On the basis of usage | On the basis of usage |
| Audio-Video Conferencing |
Price per 1,000 minutes depending on aggregate resolution Audio: $0.99 Video HD: $3.99 Video Full HD: $8.99 Video 2K: $15.99 Video 2K+: $35.99 |
Twilio P2P: $1.5 per participant per minute 1,000 minutes Twilio Video Groups: $4.00 per participant minute 1,000 minutes |
Vonage Video Groups: $4 per participant minute 1,000 minutes +($9.99 par month) | Zoom Video Groups: $3.5 per participant minute 1,000 minutes — $1,000/ year with 30,000 free minutes included per month. Priced at $0.003/min after free minutes |
Video SDK Video Groups:Audio: $0.60 Video SD: $2.00 Video HD: $3.00 Video Full HD: $7.00 |
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | VideoSDK | |
| Streaming | The price of interactive live streaming is determined by the number of participant minutes for the host and audience, as well as the latency. Details can be found here.. |
Twilio Live—Video streaming: Broadcaster: $0.004/min Viewer: $0.0025/min Encoding: $0.010/min |
The Vonage price of interactive live streaming is determined by the number of participant minutes for the host and audience, as well as the latency. Details can be found here.. | Zoom Video SDK: Streaming is allowed, but information on pricing is unavailable. |
10,000 free minutes per month. Broadcaster: $0.002/min Viewer: $0.0015/min Encoding: $0.04/min |
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | Video SDK | |
| Recording |
Agora charge per participant minute:
Per 1000 Per participant minute: : Voice: $1.49 HD: $5.99 Full HD: $13.49 2K: $23.99 2K+: $53.99 Web Page Recording: HD $14.00 FHD $28.00 |
Twilio charge per Recording participant minute: $0.0125 Per composed minute $0.04 |
Vonage charge per Recording participant minute: $0.0125 Per composed minute SD: $1.49 HD: $0.035 Full HD: $0.045 | Zoom Video SDK:Recording available with a Video SDK account and a Cloud Recording Storage Plan. Information on pricing is unavailable. |
Web Page Recording: $0.015/min |
Support: Agora vs Twilio vs Vonage vs Zoom vs VideoSDK
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | VideoSDK | |
| Support plan monthly cost |
Standard Plan: $1200/month Premium Plan: $2900/month Enterprise Plan: $4900/month |
Production Plan: 4% of monthly spend (or $250 minimum)
Business Plan: 6% of monthly spend (or $1,500 minimum) Personalized Plan: 8% of monthly spend (or $5,000 minimum) |
Priority: $750/month
Premium: $1,500/month Premier: $3,000/month |
Premier Developer Support:-
Bronze - $675/month Silver - $1,300/month Gold - $1,900/month |
FREE for everyone |
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | VideoSDK | |
| Access to TAM / CS Engineer |
Premium plan:
- Access to CS enginee
- Code Review
Enterprise plan - Everything in the Premium plan plus access to SA Engineer & Live Developer Consultation and Training. |
Only available in the Personalized plan. The plan also provides a support escalation line and quarterly status review. | Available for Premier customers. | Premier Developer Support provides developer enablement, onboarding, training, and architectural consultations. | All paying customers have access to a dedicated CS manager and a solutions engineer. |
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | VideoSDK | |
| SLAs |
Standard Plan:
P1 – 4 Business hours
P2 – 16 business hours
P3 – 24 business hours
Premium Plan: P1 – 3 hours(24/7) P2 – 8 business hours P3 – 16 business hours Enterprise Plan: P1 – 2 hours (24/7) P2 – 5 business hours P3 – 9 business hours |
Production Plan:
P1 - 3 business hours
P2 - 6 business hours
P3 - 9 business hours
Business Plan: P1 - 1 hour (24/7) P2 - 2 business hours P3 - 3 business hour Personalized Plan: P1 - 1 hour (24/7) P2 - 2 business hours P3 - 3 business hours |
Service Level Targets (SLT) for the initial response for Premium Plus:
S1: 30 minutes S2: 2 hours S3: 4 hours |
Premier Developer Support:-
Developer: P1 - N/A P2 - N/A P3 - N/A Bronze: P1 - 24 hours P2 - 48 hours P3 - 72 hours Silver: P1 - 6 hours P2 - 12 hours P3 - 24 hours Gold: P1 - 4 hours P2 - 8 hours P3 - 16 hours |
Critical - 8 hours Major - 72 hours Minor - Mutually aligned timeline |
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | Video SDK | |
| Channels |
Submit a ticket directly through the Agora Console.
All support plans offer Ticket/Email support. Premium Enterprise plans to offer Emergency Phone Number Access. |
Production, Business, and Personalize plans provide live support options with live chat on all three, and phone support on the latter two. Only email support on the Developer plan. |
Premier users:
- Email support - Chat support - Phone support |
No specific communication channels are explicitly mentioned in the Premier Developer Support doc. |
Interact with support directly on Slack, Discord. Paying customers can access dedicated Slack support. |
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | Video SDK | |
| Access to Testing | Testing is not expressly supported. | Testing is not expressly supported. | Testing is not expressly supported. | Testing is not expressly supported. | All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK. |
| Agora | Twilio | Vonage | Zoom | VideoSDK | |
| Community Support | Agora’s Stack Overflow and Community Slack Channel | Twilio Forum now largely shifted to Stack Overflow as Twilio Collective. | Vonage'S Slack Community | Zoom Community | VideoSDK has an active Discord Community |
Resources: Agora Pricing, Twilio Pricing, Zoom Video SDK Pricing, Vonage Video API Pricing, Video SDK Pricing
