WebRTC vs Janus
A head-to-head comparison of WebRTC and Janus, And what features and value does Video SDK offer?
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.
Janus is a general-purpose WebRTC server that can be used to build a variety of real-time communication applications, including live video calls and live streams. It is a low-level SDK that gives developers full control over the live video experience.
How Video SDK make a difference?
WebRTC and Janus are two popular technologies for building real-time communication (RTC) applications. WebRTC is a JavaScript API that enables web browsers and mobile apps to communicate directly with each other without the need for a server. Janus is a WebRTC server that provides additional features, such as scalability, security, and extensibility. WebRTC and Janus have been stalwarts, each with its own set of capabilities.
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 WebRTC and Janus, and understand why Video SDK is a much better choice for all your needs.
Features Comparison : WebRTC vs Janus vs Video SDK
features | WebRTC | Janus |  VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✕ WebRTC supports 2-3 participants only. | ✕ Janus supports 2 participants only. | ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ WebRTC SDK is Complex for integration. | ✕ Very Complex Integration takes 6+ months | ✓ VideoSDK requires less than 2 weeks for SDK integration |
Adpative Audio/Video Quality | ✓ WebRTC offers adaptive audio/video quality | ✕ Janus not 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 | ✕ WebRTC has limited Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. | ✕ Not available | ✓ VideoSDK offers Role management, Permissions, Policy and Templates |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✕ No | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✕ No | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✕ In WebRTC collaborative features is not available. | ✕ In Janus collaborative features is not available. | ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ No | ✕ Separate integration | ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✓ Yes | ✕ Not Provide | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | NA | ✓ Usage Based | ✓ Pay-as-You-Go Plan |
Interactive Live Streaming | NA | ✓ Janus supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports Interactive Live Streaming |
Cloud Recording | NA | ✓ Janus offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ VideoSDK offers Cloud Recording Capabilities |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ WebRTC not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✕ Janus not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✓ WebRTC supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✕ Janus not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK compatible with Multi-Platforms for greater reach |
Interactive Participant Support | ✕ WebRTC support limited Interactive Participants. | ✕ No Support | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ 20% | ✕ Limited (iOS not supported) | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✓ WebRTC supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ Janus 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 | ✓ WebRTC is dependent on open source. | ✓ Janus 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 | ✕ WebRTC not supports full HD recording. | ✕ Janus not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✓ WebRTC heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ Limited | ✕ Janus not offer support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✓ Yes | ✕ Janus not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✓ WebRTC is cost effective. | ✕ Janus not is cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ WebRTC not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✕ Yes, but requires much efforts | ✕ Low Customization | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✓ WebRTC support Metaverse platform. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform |
Legacy Solution | ✓ Yes | ✓ No | |
Session Analytics | ✕ WebRTC not offer session analytics option. | ✕ Not Comprehensive | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option |
Data Tracks | ✕ WebRTC not offer track data option. | ✕ Not Documented | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
features | WebRTC | Janus | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✕ WebRTC supports 2-3 participants only. | ✕ Janus supports 2 participants only. | ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ WebRTC SDK is Complex for integration. | ✕ Very Complex Integration takes 6+ months | ✓ VideoSDK requires less than 2 weeks for SDK integration |
Adpative Audio/Video Quality | ✓ WebRTC offers adaptive audio/video quality | ✕ Janus not 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 | ✕ WebRTC has limited Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. | ✕ Not available | ✓ VideoSDK offers Role management, Permissions, Policy and Templates |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✕ No | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✕ No | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✕ In WebRTC collaborative features is not available. | ✕ In Janus collaborative features is not available. | ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ No | ✕ Separate integration | ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✓ Yes | ✕ Not Provide | ✓ Available |
Pricing Model | NA | ✓ Usage Based | ✓ Pay-as-You-Go Plan |
Interactive Live Streaming | NA | ✓ Janus supports interactive live streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports Interactive Live Streaming |
Cloud Recording | NA | ✓ Janus offers cloud recording capabilities. | ✓ VideoSDK offers Cloud Recording Capabilities |
Interactive Whiteboard | ✕ WebRTC not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✕ Janus not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✓ WebRTC supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✕ Janus not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK compatible with Multi-Platforms for greater reach |
Interactive Participant Support | ✕ WebRTC support limited Interactive Participants. | ✕ No Support | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ 20% | ✕ Limited (iOS not supported) | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✓ WebRTC supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments.. | ✓ Janus 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 | ✓ WebRTC is dependent on open source. | ✓ Janus 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 | ✕ WebRTC not supports full HD recording. | ✕ Janus not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✓ WebRTC heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ Yes | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ Limited | ✕ Janus not offer support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✓ Yes | ✕ Janus not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✓ WebRTC is cost effective. | ✕ Janus not is cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ WebRTC not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✕ Yes, but requires much efforts | ✕ Low Customization | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✓ WebRTC support Metaverse platform. | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK support Metaverse platform |
Legacy Solution | ✓ Yes | ✓ No | |
Session Analytics | ✕ WebRTC not offer session analytics option. | ✕ Not Comprehensive | ✓ VideoSDK offer session analytics option |
Data Tracks | ✕ WebRTC not offer track data option. | ✕ Not Documented | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
Price Comparison : WebRTC vs Janus vs Video SDK
features | WebRTC | Janus | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | NA | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing | NA | ✓ Yes |
|
Analytics | NA | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Analytics with Dashboard |
Separate Pricing for Video and Audio | NA | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 Minutes Every Month | NA | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Minimum Price for Video Calls | NA | ✕ Separate Charge | $0.004 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | NA | ✕ Not Available | $0.001 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ WebRTC not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✕ Janus not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | NA | ✕ Not Include |
|
RTMP Pricing | NA | ✕ Not Included |
|
ILS Pricing | NA | Aggregated resolution based per participant pricing |
|
Storage Pricing | NA | High Cost |
|
features | WebRTC | Janus | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | NA | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing | NA | ✓ Yes |
|
Analytics | NA | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Analytics with Dashboard |
Separate Pricing for Video and Audio | NA | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Free 10,000 Minutes Every Month | NA | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Minimum Price for Video Calls | NA | ✕ Separate Charge | $0.004 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | NA | ✕ Not Available | $0.001 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ WebRTC not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✕ Janus not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | NA | ✕ Not Include |
|
RTMP Pricing | NA | ✕ Not Included |
|
ILS Pricing | NA | Aggregated resolution based per participant pricing |
|
Storage Pricing | NA | High Cost |
|
Support Comparison : WebRTC vs Janus vs Video SDK
features | WebRTC | Janus | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | NA | ✕ Community Support | ✓ Yes |
Cost | NA | Not Available | Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Affordable SLA with 99.9% Uptime |
features | WebRTC | Janus | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | NA | ✕ Community Support | ✓ Yes |
Cost | NA | Not Available | Free |
Access to Testing | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Affordable SLA with 99.9% Uptime |
Discover why Video SDK is the top choice for customers
“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
