LiveKit vs OpenVidu
A head-to-head comparison of LiveKit and OpenVidu, And what features 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.
OpenVidu is an open-source web real-time communication WebRTC platform and client-side SDK that enables developers to add real-time video and audio communication features to their applications using the OpenVidu API. It is a low-level SDK that provides complete control over the video conferencing experience, with the OpenVidu Server handling session management and signaling.
How Video SDK make a difference?
LiveKit and OpenVidu are both open-source WebRTC streaming servers that allow developers to build real-time video and audio applications. Livekit is designed for building real-time video and audio applications. OpenVidu is a platform for building and deploying WebRTC applications. However, there are some key differences and limitations between these two platforms.
Introducing Video SDK- a powerful and easy-to-use video conferencing SDK that offers a wide range of features, including chat, polls, breakout rooms, streaming capability, and RTMP out. It is the perfect solution for businesses and organizations of all sizes that need to create high-quality and engaging real-time communication experiences.
Here is a comparison of Video SDK with LiveKit vs OpenVidu, and understand why Video SDK is a much better choice for all your needs.
Features comparison : LiveKit vs OpenVidu vs Video SDK
features | LiveKit | OpenVidu |  VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✕ OpenVidu support 5 Participant Only. | ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Development is moderately tough | ✕ OpenVidu needs 3+ month to SDK intergration. | ✓ VideoSDK requires less than 2 weeks for SDK integration |
Adpative Audio/Video Quality | ✕ LiveKit not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✕ Adpative audio/video quality is not available in OpenVidu. | ✓ VideoSDK provides best adaptive audio/video quality. |
Works behind the Firewall/Private-Network | ✕ No | ✕ Yes
| ✓ Yes |
Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates | ✕ Limited to host & participant roles | ✕ OpenVidu not offer Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates. | ✓ VideoSDK offers Role management, Permissions, Policy and Templates |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✓ Available | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✕ Not Available | ✕ Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming is not available in OpenVidu SDK. | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✕ In LiveKit collaborative features is not available. | ✕ In OpenVidu SDK need Separate integration for Build collaborative features. | ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Not Available | ✕ Separate integration | ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Not Available | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✕ Subscription based | ✕ Usage Based | ✓ Pay-as-You-Go Plan |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ LiveKit supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK supports Interactive Live Streaming |
Cloud Recording | ✓ LiveKit offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ Yes (Only on Enterprise Plan) | ✓ VideoSDK offers Cloud Recording Capabilities |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✕ LiveKit not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✕ OpenVidu not 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. | ✕ OpenVidu offer Limited Support. | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ LiveKit offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✕ Limited (iOS not supported) | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✓ LiveKit supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ Yes | ✓ 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. | ✕ No | ✕ VideoSDK is not dependent on open source. |
Customised RTMP, Cloud Recording, HLS | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for Specific Features (Collaborative Games, Polls, etc.) | ✕ No | ✓ Limited | ✓ Yes |
API for Social Features (Merging Rooms, Battles, Coins, Gifts Sending etc.) | ✕ No | ✕ Limited | ✓ Yes |
Full HD Recording | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✕ No (Only on Enterprise Plan) | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✕ LiveKit not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✕ OpenVidu does not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✕ OpenVidu is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ LiveKit not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ Separate SDK | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✕ Not Flexible | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✕ LiveKit not support Metaverse platform. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform |
Session Analytics | ✕ LiveKit not offer session analytics option. | ✕ Basic | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option |
Data Tracks | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✕ Basic | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
features | LiveKit | OpenVidu | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✕ OpenVidu support 5 Participant Only. | ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Development is moderately tough | ✕ OpenVidu needs 3+ month to SDK intergration. | ✓ VideoSDK requires less than 2 weeks for SDK integration |
Adpative Audio/Video Quality | ✕ LiveKit not offers adaptive audio/video quality. | ✕ Adpative audio/video quality is not available in OpenVidu. | ✓ VideoSDK provides best adaptive audio/video quality. |
Works behind the Firewall/Private-Network | ✕ No | ✕ Yes
| ✓ Yes |
Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates | ✕ Limited to host & participant roles | ✕ OpenVidu not offer Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates. | ✓ VideoSDK offers Role management, Permissions, Policy and Templates |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✓ Available | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✕ Not Available | ✕ Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming is not available in OpenVidu SDK. | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✕ In LiveKit collaborative features is not available. | ✕ In OpenVidu SDK need Separate integration for Build collaborative features. | ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Not Available | ✕ Separate integration | ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✕ Not Available | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | ✕ Subscription based | ✕ Usage Based | ✓ Pay-as-You-Go Plan |
Interactive Live Streaming | ✓ LiveKit supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK supports Interactive Live Streaming |
Cloud Recording | ✓ LiveKit offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ Yes (Only on Enterprise Plan) | ✓ VideoSDK offers Cloud Recording Capabilities |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✕ LiveKit not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✕ OpenVidu not 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. | ✕ OpenVidu offer Limited Support. | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ LiveKit offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✕ Limited (iOS not supported) | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✓ LiveKit supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ Yes | ✓ 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. | ✕ No | ✕ VideoSDK is not dependent on open source. |
Customised RTMP, Cloud Recording, HLS | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
API for Specific Features (Collaborative Games, Polls, etc.) | ✕ No | ✓ Limited | ✓ Yes |
API for Social Features (Merging Rooms, Battles, Coins, Gifts Sending etc.) | ✕ No | ✕ Limited | ✓ Yes |
Full HD Recording | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✕ No (Only on Enterprise Plan) | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✕ LiveKit not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✕ OpenVidu does not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✕ OpenVidu is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ LiveKit not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ Separate SDK | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✕ Not Flexible | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✕ LiveKit not support Metaverse platform. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform |
Session Analytics | ✕ LiveKit not offer session analytics option. | ✕ Basic | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option |
Data Tracks | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✕ Basic | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
Price Comparison : LiveKit vs OpenVidu vs Video SDK
features | LiveKit | OpenVidu | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing |
| ✓ Yes |
|
Analytics | ✓ Free | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Analytics with Dashboard |
Separate Pricing for Video and Audio | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 Minutes Every Month | ✕ No | ✕ No (15 days Free trial) | ✓ Yes |
Minimum Price for Video Calls | $0.02 per participant minute | $0.0018 per core per minute | $0.004 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | $0.005 per participant minute | 0.0006$ core/minute. | $0.001 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ LiveKit not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✕ OpenVidu not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | No accurate data available |
|
|
RTMP Pricing | No accurate data available | ✕ Not Included |
|
ILS Pricing |
| Aggregated resolution based per participant pricing |
|
Storage Pricing | No accurate data available | Extra Cost |
|
features | LiveKit | OpenVidu | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing |
| ✓ Yes |
|
Analytics | ✓ Free | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Analytics with Dashboard |
Separate Pricing for Video and Audio | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 Minutes Every Month | ✕ No | ✕ No (15 days Free trial) | ✓ Yes |
Minimum Price for Video Calls | $0.02 per participant minute | $0.0018 per core per minute | $0.004 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | $0.005 per participant minute | 0.0006$ core/minute. | $0.001 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ LiveKit not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✕ OpenVidu not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | No accurate data available |
|
|
RTMP Pricing | No accurate data available | ✕ Not Included |
|
ILS Pricing |
| Aggregated resolution based per participant pricing |
|
Storage Pricing | No accurate data available | Extra Cost |
|
Support Comparison : LiveKit vs OpenVidu vs Video SDK
features | LiveKit | OpenVidu | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✓ Yes | ✕ Paid | ✓ Yes |
Cost | Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan |
| Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer | ✕ No | ✓ Yes (Enterprise plan) | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs | ✕ Only accounts having Enterprise plan | Additional (24x7 or NBD (Next Business Day)) | ✓ Affordable SLA with 99.9% Uptime |
features | LiveKit | OpenVidu | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✓ Yes | ✕ Paid | ✓ Yes |
Cost | Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan |
| Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer | ✕ No | ✓ Yes (Enterprise plan) | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs | ✕ Only accounts having Enterprise plan | Additional (24x7 or NBD (Next Business Day)) | ✓ Affordable SLA with 99.9% Uptime |
Discover why Video SDK is the top choice for customers
“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
