WebRTC vs LiveKit

How do WebRTC and LiveKit compare? And what does Video SDK offer?
LiveKit

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

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

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

LiveKit
WebRTC
VideoSDK
Volume Discount
LiveKit not offer the volume discount.
NA
VideoSDK offer the

Volume Discount

Video Conferencing
  • $20 per 1,000 minutes
NA
  • Video SD: $2.00
  • Video HD: $3.00
  • Video Full HD: $7.00
  • Video 2K: $7.00
  • Video 2K+: $7.00
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:
  • HIPPA Complaint
  • GDPR Complaint
  • Data Localization
  • SOC2 : Type 2
  • ISO:27001
  • VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing)
  • CERT-in (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team)
Cloud Recording Pricing
No accurate data available
NA
  • Video SD: $15.00 1,000 minutes (No limit on participants)
  • Video HD: $15.00 1,000 minutes (No limit on participants)
RTMP Pricing
No accurate data available
NA
  • $15 per 1,000 minutes
ILS Pricing
  • $69 per hour (upto 500 viewers only and doesn't support Full HD)
NA
  • $0.001 per participant minute (Support Full HD)
Storage Pricing
No accurate data available
NA
  • $3 per 1000 minutes per month

Support comparison : WebRTC vs LiveKit vs Video SDK

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

SUCCESS STORY

How Immigo empowered personalized language learning experience with Video SDK

See why customers love Video SDK
Kanishk Agrawal-Sr. Director - Technology at Judge Group
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“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

Have any business query?

FAQ

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