WebRTC vs LiveKit
How do WebRTC and LiveKit compare? And what does Video SDK offer?
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.
WebRTC
is a free and open-source initiative that empowers web browsers with Real-Time Communications (RTC) capabilities through straightforward JavaScript APIs. The WebRTC components have been finely tuned to effectively fulfill this objective.How Video SDK make a difference
Real-time communication has become integral to various industries, from online meetings and virtual conferences to healthcare and gaming. WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) and LiveKit are two prominent players in this space, each offering unique advantages and disadvantages.
However, Video SDK introduces a transformative factor. But what makes it stand out? This page conducts a comprehensive comparison between WebRTC and LiveKit, unveiling the aspects that contribute to Video SDK's exceptional performance. An ideal solution tailored to meet your specific requirements!
Features comparison : WebRTC vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | LiveKit | WebRTC | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✕ WebRTC supports 2-3 participants only. | ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Development is moderately tough | ✕ WebRTC SDK is Complex for integration. | ✓ VideoSDK requires less than 2 weeks for SDK integration |
Adpative Audio/Video Quality | ✕ LiveKit not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✓ WebRTC offers adaptive audio/video quality | ✓ VideoSDK provides best adaptive audio/video quality. |
Works behind the Firewall/Private-Network | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates | ✕ Limited to host & participant roles | ✕ WebRTC has limited Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. | ✓ VideoSDK offers Role management, Permissions, Policy and Templates |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✓ Available | ✕ No | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✕ Not Available | ✕ No | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✕ In LiveKit collaborative features is not available. | ✕ In WebRTC collaborative features is not available. | ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Not Available | ✕ No | ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Yes | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✕ Subscription based | NA | ✓ Pay-as-You-Go Plan |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ LiveKit supports interactive live streaming. | NA | ✓ VideoSDK supports Interactive Live Streaming |
Cloud Recording | ✓ LiveKit offers cloud recording capabilities. | NA | ✓ VideoSDK offers Cloud Recording Capabilities |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✕ WebRTC not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✕ LiveKit not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ WebRTC supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK compatible with Multi-Platforms for greater reach |
Interactive Participant Support | ✕ LiveKit provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✕ WebRTC support limited Interactive Participants. | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ LiveKit offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✕ 20% | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✓ LiveKit supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ WebRTC supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ VideoSDK supports Reconnectivity with Audio/Video Quality adjustments.. |
Audio & Video powered by AI | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Independent of Open Source Dependency | ✓ LiveKit is not dependent on open source. | ✓ WebRTC is dependent on open source. | ✕ VideoSDK is not dependent on open source. |
Customised RTMP, Cloud Recording, HLS | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for Specific Features (Collaborative Games, Polls, etc.) | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for Social Features (Merging Rooms, Battles, Coins, Gifts Sending etc.) | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Full HD Recording | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✕ WebRTC not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✕ LiveKit not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ WebRTC heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✕ Limited | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✓ WebRTC is cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ LiveKit not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ WebRTC not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✕ Yes, but requires much efforts | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✕ LiveKit not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ WebRTC support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform |
Session Analytics | ✕ LiveKit not offer session analytics option. | ✕ WebRTC not offer session analytics option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option |
Data Tracks | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✕ WebRTC not offer track data option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
features | LiveKit | WebRTC | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✕ WebRTC supports 2-3 participants only. | ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Development is moderately tough | ✕ WebRTC SDK is Complex for integration. | ✓ VideoSDK requires less than 2 weeks for SDK integration |
Adpative Audio/Video Quality | ✕ LiveKit not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✓ WebRTC offers adaptive audio/video quality | ✓ VideoSDK provides best adaptive audio/video quality. |
Works behind the Firewall/Private-Network | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates | ✕ Limited to host & participant roles | ✕ WebRTC has limited Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. | ✓ VideoSDK offers Role management, Permissions, Policy and Templates |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✓ Available | ✕ No | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✕ Not Available | ✕ No | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✕ In LiveKit collaborative features is not available. | ✕ In WebRTC collaborative features is not available. | ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Not Available | ✕ No | ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Yes | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✕ Subscription based | NA | ✓ Pay-as-You-Go Plan |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ LiveKit supports interactive live streaming. | NA | ✓ VideoSDK supports Interactive Live Streaming |
Cloud Recording | ✓ LiveKit offers cloud recording capabilities. | NA | ✓ VideoSDK offers Cloud Recording Capabilities |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✕ WebRTC not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✕ LiveKit not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ WebRTC supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK compatible with Multi-Platforms for greater reach |
Interactive Participant Support | ✕ LiveKit provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✕ WebRTC support limited Interactive Participants. | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ LiveKit offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✕ 20% | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✓ LiveKit supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ WebRTC supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ VideoSDK supports Reconnectivity with Audio/Video Quality adjustments.. |
Audio & Video powered by AI | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Independent of Open Source Dependency | ✓ LiveKit is not dependent on open source. | ✓ WebRTC is dependent on open source. | ✕ VideoSDK is not dependent on open source. |
Customised RTMP, Cloud Recording, HLS | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for Specific Features (Collaborative Games, Polls, etc.) | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for Social Features (Merging Rooms, Battles, Coins, Gifts Sending etc.) | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Full HD Recording | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✕ WebRTC not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✕ LiveKit not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ WebRTC heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✕ Limited | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✓ WebRTC is cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ LiveKit not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ WebRTC not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✕ Yes, but requires much efforts | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✕ LiveKit not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ WebRTC support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform |
Session Analytics | ✕ LiveKit not offer session analytics option. | ✕ WebRTC not offer session analytics option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option |
Data Tracks | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✕ WebRTC not offer track data option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
Cost comparison : WebRTC vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | LiveKit | WebRTC | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | NA | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing |
| NA |
|
Analytics | ✓ Free | NA | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Analytics with Dashboard |
Separate Pricing for Video and Audio | ✓ Yes | NA | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 Minutes Every Month | ✕ No | NA | ✓ Yes |
Minimum Price for Video Calls | $0.02 per participant minute | NA | $0.002 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | $0.005 per participant minute | NA | $0.0006 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ LiveKit not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✕ WebRTC not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | No accurate data available | NA |
|
RTMP Pricing | No accurate data available | NA |
|
ILS Pricing |
| NA |
|
Storage Pricing | No accurate data available | NA |
|
features | LiveKit | WebRTC | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | NA | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing |
| NA |
|
Analytics | ✓ Free | NA | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Analytics with Dashboard |
Separate Pricing for Video and Audio | ✓ Yes | NA | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 Minutes Every Month | ✕ No | NA | ✓ Yes |
Minimum Price for Video Calls | $0.02 per participant minute | NA | $0.002 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | $0.005 per participant minute | NA | $0.0006 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ LiveKit not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✕ WebRTC not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | No accurate data available | NA |
|
RTMP Pricing | No accurate data available | NA |
|
ILS Pricing |
| NA |
|
Storage Pricing | No accurate data available | NA |
|
Support comparison : WebRTC vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | LiveKit | WebRTC | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✓ Yes | NA | ✓ Yes |
Cost | Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan | NA | Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs | ✕ Only accounts having Enterprise plan | ✕ No | ✓ Affordable SLA with 99.9% Uptime |
features | LiveKit | WebRTC | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✓ Yes | NA | ✓ Yes |
Cost | Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan | NA | Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs | ✕ Only accounts having Enterprise plan | ✕ No | ✓ Affordable SLA with 99.9% Uptime |
See why customers love Video SDK
“VideoSDK's well-structured product and efficient support team expedited integration. Their excellent user experience and well-defined documentation prompted us to switch from our previous provider.”
Kanishk Agrawal ,
Sr. Director - Technology at Judge Group
FAQ
