Agora vs LiveKit
A head-to-head comparison of Agora and LiveKit, And what features and value does Video SDK offer?
Agora
is a real-time communication solution that allows developers to integrate live audio, video, and messaging capabilities into their applications. Agora's SDK solution is provide low-latency, high-quality communication services that enable seamless interaction across various devices and platforms.
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 |  VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✓ Upto million per channel | ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Average Integration take 3 to 6 months (depends on developer efficiency) | ✕ Development is moderately tough | ✓ VideoSDK requires less than 2 weeks for SDK integration |
Adpative Audio/Video Quality | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✓ VideoSDK provides best adaptive audio/video quality. |
Works behind the Firewall/Private-Network | ✕ Not Supported in:
| ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates | ✓ Available | ✕ Limited to host & participant roles | ✓ VideoSDK offers Role management, Permissions, Policy and Templates |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✓ Yes | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✓ Available | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✓ Available | ✕ In LiveKit collaborative features is not available. | ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Complex Integration | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Available for Advance Usecase | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✓ Usage-Based | ✕ Subscription based | ✓ Pay-as-You-Go Plan |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ Yes | ✓ LiveKit supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports Interactive Live Streaming |
Cloud Recording | ✓ Available | ✓ LiveKit offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ VideoSDK offers Cloud Recording Capabilities |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ At $1.40 per 1,000 minutes | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK compatible with Multi-Platforms for greater reach |
Interactive Participant Support | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ Limited
(do not support iOS safari) | ✕ LiveKit offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✕ Yes | ✓ LiveKit supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ VideoSDK supports Reconnectivity with Audio/Video Quality adjustments.. |
Audio & Video powered by AI | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Independent of Open Source Dependency | ✕ No | ✓ LiveKit is not dependent on open source. | ✕ VideoSDK is not dependent on open source. |
Customised RTMP, Cloud Recording, HLS | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for Specific Features (Collaborative Games, Polls, etc.) | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for Social Features (Merging Rooms, Battles, Coins, Gifts Sending etc.) | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Full HD Recording | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✕ Yes, Limited | ✕ LiveKit not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ Limited | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✓ Yes | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✕ No | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ No | ✕ LiveKit not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform |
Session Analytics | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not offer session analytics option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option |
Data Tracks | ✕ No | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
features | Agora | LiveKit | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✓ Upto million per channel | ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Average Integration take 3 to 6 months (depends on developer efficiency) | ✕ Development is moderately tough | ✓ VideoSDK requires less than 2 weeks for SDK integration |
Adpative Audio/Video Quality | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✓ VideoSDK provides best adaptive audio/video quality. |
Works behind the Firewall/Private-Network | ✕ Not Supported in:
| ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates | ✓ Available | ✕ Limited to host & participant roles | ✓ VideoSDK offers Role management, Permissions, Policy and Templates |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✓ Yes | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✓ Available | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✓ Available | ✕ In LiveKit collaborative features is not available. | ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Complex Integration | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Available for Advance Usecase | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✓ Usage-Based | ✕ Subscription based | ✓ Pay-as-You-Go Plan |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ Yes | ✓ LiveKit supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports Interactive Live Streaming |
Cloud Recording | ✓ Available | ✓ LiveKit offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ VideoSDK offers Cloud Recording Capabilities |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ At $1.40 per 1,000 minutes | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK compatible with Multi-Platforms for greater reach |
Interactive Participant Support | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ Limited
(do not support iOS safari) | ✕ LiveKit offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✕ Yes | ✓ LiveKit supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ VideoSDK supports Reconnectivity with Audio/Video Quality adjustments.. |
Audio & Video powered by AI | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Independent of Open Source Dependency | ✕ No | ✓ LiveKit is not dependent on open source. | ✕ VideoSDK is not dependent on open source. |
Customised RTMP, Cloud Recording, HLS | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for Specific Features (Collaborative Games, Polls, etc.) | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for Social Features (Merging Rooms, Battles, Coins, Gifts Sending etc.) | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Full HD Recording | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✕ Yes, Limited | ✕ LiveKit not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ Limited | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✓ Yes | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✕ No | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ No | ✕ LiveKit not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform |
Session Analytics | ✓ Yes | ✕ LiveKit not offer session analytics option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option |
Data Tracks | ✕ No | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
Price Comparison : Agora vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Agora | LiveKit | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✓ Yes, based on minutes volume
| ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing | Pricing based on per 1000 participant minutes:
|
|
|
Analytics |
| ✓ Free | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Analytics with Dashboard |
Separate Pricing for Video and Audio | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 Minutes Every Month | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Minimum Price for Video Calls | $3.99 per 1,000 participant minute | $0.02 per participant minute | $0.004 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | $0.99 per 1,000 participant minute | $0.005 per participant minute | $0.001 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✓ Yes
(Charges associate with Support plans) | ✕ LiveKit not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | Recording Audio:
Recording Video:
| No accurate data available |
|
RTMP Pricing |
| No accurate data available |
|
ILS Pricing |
|
|
|
Storage Pricing | Recording Audio:
Recording Video:
| No accurate data available |
|
features | Agora | LiveKit | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✓ Yes, based on minutes volume
| ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing | Pricing based on per 1000 participant minutes:
|
|
|
Analytics |
| ✓ Free | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Analytics with Dashboard |
Separate Pricing for Video and Audio | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 Minutes Every Month | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Minimum Price for Video Calls | $3.99 per 1,000 participant minute | $0.02 per participant minute | $0.004 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | $0.99 per 1,000 participant minute | $0.005 per participant minute | $0.001 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✓ Yes
(Charges associate with Support plans) | ✕ LiveKit not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | Recording Audio:
Recording Video:
| No accurate data available |
|
RTMP Pricing |
| No accurate data available |
|
ILS Pricing |
|
|
|
Storage Pricing | Recording Audio:
Recording Video:
| No accurate data available |
|
Support Comparison : Agora vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Agora | LiveKit | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Paid | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Cost |
| Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan | Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ Not Specified | ✕ 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 | ✓ Affordable SLA with 99.9% Uptime |
features | Agora | LiveKit | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Paid | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Cost |
| Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan | Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ Not Specified | ✕ 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 | ✓ Affordable 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
