Agora vs Zoom
A head-to-head comparison of Agora and Zoom, 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.
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 |  VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✓ Upto million per channel | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports limited participants.
| ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Average Integration take 3 to 6 months (depends on developer efficiency) | ✕ Avg. integration takes 3+ to 6 months. | ✓ VideoSDK requires less than 2 weeks for SDK integration |
Adpative Audio/Video Quality | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes
| ✓ 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 | ✕ Zoom Video SDK offer 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 | ✓ Yes | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✓ Available | ✓ Yes with custom RTMP streams configuration | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✓ Available | ✓ Only Whiteboard Availble
| ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Complex Integration | ✕ Yes
| ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Available for Advance Usecase | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✓ Usage-Based | ✓ Usage based | ✓ Pay-as-You-Go Plan |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ Yes | ✕ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK supports Interactive Live Streaming |
Cloud Recording | ✓ Available | ✓ Available | ✓ VideoSDK offers Cloud Recording Capabilities |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ At $1.40 per 1,000 minutes | ✓ Available from $2.49/month | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✓ Yes | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports not multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK compatible with Multi-Platforms for greater reach |
Interactive Participant Support | ✓ Yes | ✕ Up to 300 | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ Limited
(do not support iOS safari) | ✕ Limited (iOS users can't join using their phone or tablet internet browser) | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✕ Yes | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not 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 | ✓ Zoom Video SDK is 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 | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✕ Yes, Limited | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ Limited | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✓ Yes | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✕ No | ✕ Zoom Video SDK is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ No | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✓ Yes | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✓ Yes | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform |
Session Analytics | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option |
Data Tracks | ✕ No | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not offer track data option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
features | Agora | Zoom Video SDK | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✓ Upto million per channel | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports limited participants.
| ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Average Integration take 3 to 6 months (depends on developer efficiency) | ✕ Avg. integration takes 3+ to 6 months. | ✓ VideoSDK requires less than 2 weeks for SDK integration |
Adpative Audio/Video Quality | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes
| ✓ 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 | ✕ Zoom Video SDK offer 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 | ✓ Yes | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✓ Available | ✓ Yes with custom RTMP streams configuration | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✓ Available | ✓ Only Whiteboard Availble
| ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Complex Integration | ✕ Yes
| ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Available for Advance Usecase | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✓ Usage-Based | ✓ Usage based | ✓ Pay-as-You-Go Plan |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ Yes | ✕ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK supports Interactive Live Streaming |
Cloud Recording | ✓ Available | ✓ Available | ✓ VideoSDK offers Cloud Recording Capabilities |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ At $1.40 per 1,000 minutes | ✓ Available from $2.49/month | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✓ Yes | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports not multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK compatible with Multi-Platforms for greater reach |
Interactive Participant Support | ✓ Yes | ✕ Up to 300 | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ Limited
(do not support iOS safari) | ✕ Limited (iOS users can't join using their phone or tablet internet browser) | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✕ Yes | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not 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 | ✓ Zoom Video SDK is 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 | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✕ Yes, Limited | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ Limited | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✓ Yes | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✕ No | ✕ Zoom Video SDK is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ No | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✓ Yes | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✓ Yes | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support Metaverse platform. | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform |
Session Analytics | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option |
Data Tracks | ✕ No | ✕ 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 | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✓ Yes, based on minutes volume
| ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing | Pricing based on per 1000 participant minutes:
|
|
|
Analytics |
| ✓ Available | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Analytics with Dashboard |
Separate Pricing for Video and Audio | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 Minutes Every Month | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Minimum Price for Video Calls | $3.99 per 1,000 participant minute | $3.5 per 1,000 participant minute | $0.004 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | $0.99 per 1,000 participant minute | Starting at $1,200 per year | $0.001 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✓ Yes
(Charges associate with Support plans) | ✕ Zoom provides robust support for Only SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | Recording Audio:
Recording Video:
| ✓ $15 per participant per 1,000 minutes |
|
RTMP Pricing |
| $15 for 1,000 minutes of HD audio. |
|
ILS Pricing |
|
|
|
Storage Pricing | Recording Audio:
Recording Video:
|
|
|
features | Agora | Zoom Video SDK | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✓ Yes, based on minutes volume
| ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing | Pricing based on per 1000 participant minutes:
|
|
|
Analytics |
| ✓ Available | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Analytics with Dashboard |
Separate Pricing for Video and Audio | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 Minutes Every Month | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Minimum Price for Video Calls | $3.99 per 1,000 participant minute | $3.5 per 1,000 participant minute | $0.004 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | $0.99 per 1,000 participant minute | Starting at $1,200 per year | $0.001 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✓ Yes
(Charges associate with Support plans) | ✕ Zoom provides robust support for Only SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | Recording Audio:
Recording Video:
| ✓ $15 per participant per 1,000 minutes |
|
RTMP Pricing |
| $15 for 1,000 minutes of HD audio. |
|
ILS Pricing |
|
|
|
Storage Pricing | Recording Audio:
Recording Video:
|
|
|
Support Comparison : Agora vs Zoom vs Video SDK
features | Agora | Zoom Video SDK | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Paid | ✕ Live chat support
| ✓ Yes |
Cost |
|
| Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ Not Specified | ✓ Yes, All paid plans have access to testing support from Video SDK. | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer |
| ✓ In the Premier and Premier+ Plan Only | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs |
| ✓ In the Premier+ Plan Only | ✓ Affordable SLA with 99.9% Uptime |
features | Agora | Zoom Video SDK | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Paid | ✕ Live chat support
| ✓ Yes |
Cost |
|
| Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ Not Specified | ✓ Yes, All paid plans have access to testing support from Video SDK. | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer |
| ✓ In the Premier and Premier+ Plan Only | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs |
| ✓ In the Premier+ Plan Only | ✓ Affordable 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
