Twilio vs LiveKit
How do Twilio and LiveKit compare? And what does Video SDK offer?
Twilio
originally started by helping developers automate traditional phone calls and SMS text messages. But today, developers can use it to build business communication ( in-app and otherwise) across the customer journey.
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
LiveKit and Twilio are both prominent live video platforms, each offering unique packages, features, and benefits. However, they are considered legacy SDK providers, with their user experiences remaining unchanged for over half a decade and requiring several months of integration into your application.
Video SDK disrupts this status quo. Its single SDK provides comprehensive video/voice calls, live streams, and collaborative features, all of which can be effortlessly integrated into your app in as little as a few minutes.
This page compares LiveKit and Twilio, and it explains why Video SDK is worthy of your consideration. By reviewing this information, you can make an informed decision and opt for a platform that provides modern solutions and easy integration for your video needs.
Features comparison : Twilio vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Twilio | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of participants (Including hosts) | ✕ Twilio not supports more than 50 participants. | ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✓ VideoSDK supports millions participants. |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ In Twilio High coding effort required. | ✕ Development is moderately tough | ✓ VideoSDK generally requires more than 2 weeks for SDK integration . |
Adpative audio/video quality | ✕ Twilio 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 | ✕ Twilio offer limited Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. | ✕ 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 | ✕ Twilio needed manual configuration. | ✕ Not Available | ✓ In VideoSDK no needed manual configuration. |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✕ Not available or Separate SDK | ✕ 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 for recording states | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✓ Usage based | ✕ Subscription based | ✓ Usage based Price |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✕ Twilio supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ LiveKit supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports interactive live streaming . |
Cloud Recording | ✓ Twilio offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ LiveKit offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ VideoSDK offers cloud recording capabilities. |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ Not available or Separate SDK | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides an interactive whiteboard feature. |
Multi-platform | ✓ Twilio 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 | ✕ Limited support | ✕ LiveKit provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✓ Up to 5,000 |
Mobile browser support | ✕ Twilio 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 | ✕ Twilio 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 | ✕ Twilio does not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ 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 | ✕ Limited | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API to build social features such as merging rooms, battles, coins, gifts sending etc | ✕ Limited | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Full HD recording | ✓ Twilio supports full HD recording. | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording. |
Open source templates | ✕ Twilio 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 | ✕ Twilio offer limited support for custom roles. | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles. |
HLS Streaming | ✕ Twilio not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming. |
Cost-effective | ✕ Twilio is not cost effective. | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is cost effective. |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ Twilio 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 | ✕ Twilio not allows for a Limited customizable UI. | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for a Limited customizable UI. |
Metaverse platform support | ✕ Twilio not support Metaverse platform. | ✕ LiveKit not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform. |
Session analytics | ✕ Separate charges | ✕ LiveKit not offer session analytics option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option. |
Data Tracks | ✕ Twillio separate charges for data tracks. | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option. |
features | Twilio | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of participants (Including hosts) | ✕ Twilio not supports more than 50 participants. | ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✓ VideoSDK supports millions participants. |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ In Twilio High coding effort required. | ✕ Development is moderately tough | ✓ VideoSDK generally requires more than 2 weeks for SDK integration . |
Adpative audio/video quality | ✕ Twilio 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 | ✕ Twilio offer limited Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. | ✕ 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 | ✕ Twilio needed manual configuration. | ✕ Not Available | ✓ In VideoSDK no needed manual configuration. |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✕ Not available or Separate SDK | ✕ 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 for recording states | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✓ Usage based | ✕ Subscription based | ✓ Usage based Price |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✕ Twilio supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ LiveKit supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports interactive live streaming . |
Cloud Recording | ✓ Twilio offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ LiveKit offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ VideoSDK offers cloud recording capabilities. |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ Not available or Separate SDK | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides an interactive whiteboard feature. |
Multi-platform | ✓ Twilio 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 | ✕ Limited support | ✕ LiveKit provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✓ Up to 5,000 |
Mobile browser support | ✕ Twilio 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 | ✕ Twilio 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 | ✕ Twilio does not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ 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 | ✕ Limited | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API to build social features such as merging rooms, battles, coins, gifts sending etc | ✕ Limited | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Full HD recording | ✓ Twilio supports full HD recording. | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording. |
Open source templates | ✕ Twilio 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 | ✕ Twilio offer limited support for custom roles. | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles. |
HLS Streaming | ✕ Twilio not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming. |
Cost-effective | ✕ Twilio is not cost effective. | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is cost effective. |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ Twilio 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 | ✕ Twilio not allows for a Limited customizable UI. | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for a Limited customizable UI. |
Metaverse platform support | ✕ Twilio not support Metaverse platform. | ✕ LiveKit not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform. |
Session analytics | ✕ Separate charges | ✕ LiveKit not offer session analytics option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option. |
Data Tracks | ✕ Twillio separate charges for data tracks. | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option. |
Cost comparison : Twilio vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Twilio | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ Twilio not offer the volume discount. | ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | ✓ VideoSDK offer the volume discount . |
Video Conferencing |
|
|
|
Analytics | ✕ Separate charges | ✓ Free | ✓ VideoSDK offer free analytics. |
Separate pricing for video and audio | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 minutes every month | ✕ Twilio not offer free 10,000 minutes every month. | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Minimum price for video calls | $0.004 per participant minute | $0.02 per participant minute | $0.002 per participant minute |
Minimum price for audio-only calls | $0.004 per participant per minute | $0.005 per participant minute | $0.0006 per participant min |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer free firewall control. |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ Twilio provides robust support for GDPR & 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 | NA | No accurate data available |
|
ILS pricing | NA |
|
|
Storage pricing |
| No accurate data available |
|
features | Twilio | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ Twilio not offer the volume discount. | ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | ✓ VideoSDK offer the volume discount . |
Video Conferencing |
|
|
|
Analytics | ✕ Separate charges | ✓ Free | ✓ VideoSDK offer free analytics. |
Separate pricing for video and audio | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 minutes every month | ✕ Twilio not offer free 10,000 minutes every month. | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Minimum price for video calls | $0.004 per participant minute | $0.02 per participant minute | $0.002 per participant minute |
Minimum price for audio-only calls | $0.004 per participant per minute | $0.005 per participant minute | $0.0006 per participant min |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer free firewall control. |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ Twilio provides robust support for GDPR & 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 | NA | No accurate data available |
|
ILS pricing | NA |
|
|
Storage pricing |
| No accurate data available |
|
Support comparison : Twilio vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Twilio | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Paid | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Cost |
| Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan | Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ No explicit support for testing, quality measurements and reports. | ✕ No | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK. |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs | ✕ No | ✕ Only accounts having Enterprise plan | ✓ Inexpensive SLA with 99.9% uptime |
features | Twilio | LiveKit | Video SDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Paid | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Cost |
| Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan | Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ No explicit support for testing, quality measurements and reports. | ✕ No | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK. |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs | ✕ No | ✕ 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
