Zoom vs LiveKit
How do Zoom and LiveKit compare? And what does Video SDK offer?
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.
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
While considering real-time communication solutions for your products, LiveKit provides a modern and user-friendly solution with easy-to-use APIs and built-in collaborative elements. On the other hand, Zoom is known for its reliability and scalability, offering a robust platform for handling a larger number of users.
LiveKit and Zoom shine with their low-latency and regional server support, ensuring smooth and responsive communication. However, they might lack some advanced features such as network degradation management and a low-code UI builder.
But fear not, Video SDK comes to the rescue, combining the best features from both LiveKit and Zoom while adding even more capabilities.
In this comparison, we delve into the facts about LiveKit and Zoom, and we'll explain why Video SDK is the ultimate solution for your real-time communication needs.
Features comparison : Zoom vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Zoom Video SDK | LiveKit |  VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports limited participants.
| ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Avg. integration takes 3+ to 6 months. | ✕ 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 | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates | ✕ Zoom Video SDK offer limited Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. | ✕ Limited to host & participant roles | ✓ VideoSDK offers Role management, Permissions, Policy and Templates |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✓ Yes with custom RTMP streams configuration | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✓ Only Whiteboard Availble
| ✕ In LiveKit collaborative features is not available. | ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Yes
| ✕ Not Available | ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✓ Available | ✕ 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 | ✓ Available from $2.49/month | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports not multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✕ LiveKit not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK compatible with Multi-Platforms for greater reach |
Interactive Participant Support | ✕ Up to 300 | ✕ LiveKit provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ Limited (iOS users can't join using their phone or tablet internet browser) | ✕ LiveKit offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments. | ✓ LiveKit 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 | ✓ Zoom Video SDK is dependent on open source. | ✓ LiveKit is not 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 | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports full HD recording. | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✕ LiveKit not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support for custom roles. | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✕ Zoom Video SDK is not cost effective. | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ LiveKit not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not customizable UI. | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support Metaverse platform. | ✕ 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 | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not offer track data option. | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
features | Zoom Video SDK | LiveKit | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
No. of Participants (Including Hosts) | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports limited participants.
| ✕ LiveKit supports limited participants. | ✓ VideoSDK supports upto Million Participants |
Ease of SDK Integration | ✕ Avg. integration takes 3+ to 6 months. | ✕ 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 | ✕ No | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Role Management, Permissions, Policy and Templates | ✕ Zoom Video SDK offer limited Role Management, Permissions, Policy & Templates. | ✕ Limited to host & participant roles | ✓ VideoSDK offers Role management, Permissions, Policy and Templates |
Automatic video and audio track degrade due to bandwidth in-consistency | ✕ Not available | ✓ Available | ✓ Available |
Dynamic Layout for Studio and RTMP Live Streaming | ✓ Yes with custom RTMP streams configuration | ✕ Not Available | ✓ Available (No need for manual config.) |
Build collaborative features like chat, poll, Q & A, whiteboard etc. | ✓ Only Whiteboard Availble
| ✕ In LiveKit collaborative features is not available. | ✓ VideoSDK offers a range of collaborative features |
Virtual Background, Live Transcription & ML Middleware | ✕ Yes
| ✕ Not Available | ✓ Easy Integration |
Webhooks | ✓ Available | ✕ 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 | ✓ Available from $2.49/month | ✕ LiveKit not provides an interactive whiteboard feature. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Interactive Whiteboard Feature |
Multi-platform | ✕ Zoom Video SDK supports not multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✕ LiveKit not supports multiple platforms for a wider reach. | ✓ VideoSDK compatible with Multi-Platforms for greater reach |
Interactive Participant Support | ✕ Up to 300 | ✕ LiveKit provides limited support for interactive participants. | ✓ Upto 5,000 |
Mobile Browser Support | ✕ Limited (iOS users can't join using their phone or tablet internet browser) | ✕ LiveKit offers limited support for mobile browsers. | ✓ Video support 91% mobile browsers |
Automatic Audio/Video Degrade, Re-connectivity | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports automatic audio/video quality adjustments. | ✓ LiveKit 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 | ✓ Zoom Video SDK is dependent on open source. | ✓ LiveKit is not 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 | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports full HD recording. | ✕ LiveKit not supports full HD recording. | ✓ VideoSDK supports full HD recording |
Open Source Templates | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✕ LiveKit not heavily rely on open source templates. | ✓ VideoSDK rely on open source templates |
Full Custom roles | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support for custom roles. | ✕ LiveKit offer limited support for custom roles. | ✓ VideoSDK offer support for full custom roles |
HLS Streaming | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not supports HLS streaming. | ✓ LiveKit supports HLS streaming. | ✓ VideoSDK supports HLS streaming |
Cost-effective | ✕ Zoom Video SDK is not cost effective. | ✕ LiveKit is not cost effective. | ✓ VideoSDK is Cost Effective |
Prebuilt SDK | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✕ LiveKit not provides prebuilt SDKs for easier integration. | ✓ VideoSDK provides Prebuilt SDKs for easier integration |
Fully Customizable UI | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not customizable UI. | ✕ LiveKit not allows for a customizable UI. | ✓ VideoSDK allows for Limited customizable UI |
Metaverse Platform Support | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not support Metaverse platform. | ✕ 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 | ✕ Zoom Video SDK not offer track data option. | ✕ LiveKit not offer data tracks option. | ✓ VideoSDK offer track data option |
Cost comparison : Zoom vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Zoom Video SDK | LiveKit | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ No | ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing |
|
|
|
Analytics | ✓ Available | ✓ 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 | $3.5 per 1,000 participant minute | $0.02 per participant minute | $0.004 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | Starting at $1,200 per year | $0.005 per participant minute | $0.001 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ Zoom provides robust support for Only SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. | ✕ LiveKit not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | ✓ $15 per participant per 1,000 minutes | No accurate data available |
|
RTMP Pricing | $15 for 1,000 minutes of HD audio. | No accurate data available |
|
ILS Pricing |
|
|
|
Storage Pricing |
| No accurate data available |
|
features | Zoom Video SDK | LiveKit | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Volume Discount | ✕ No | ✕ LiveKit not offer the volume discount. | ✓ VideoSDK offer the Volume Discount |
Video Conferencing |
|
|
|
Analytics | ✓ Available | ✓ 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 | $3.5 per 1,000 participant minute | $0.02 per participant minute | $0.004 per participant minutes |
Minimum Price for Audio-only Calls | Starting at $1,200 per year | $0.005 per participant minute | $0.001 per participant minutes |
Advanced Firewall Control | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ VideoSDK offer Free Firewall Control |
Compliance & Privacy | ✕ Zoom provides robust support for Only SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. | ✕ LiveKit not provides compliance & privacy support. | ✓ Provide Compliance Standards and Privacy Regulations:
|
Cloud Recording Pricing | ✓ $15 per participant per 1,000 minutes | No accurate data available |
|
RTMP Pricing | $15 for 1,000 minutes of HD audio. | No accurate data available |
|
ILS Pricing |
|
|
|
Storage Pricing |
| No accurate data available |
|
Support comparison : Zoom vs LiveKit vs Video SDK
features | Zoom Video SDK | LiveKit | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Live chat support
| ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Cost |
| Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan | Free |
Access to Testing | ✓ Yes, All paid plans have access to testing support from Video SDK. | ✕ No | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer | ✓ In the Premier and Premier+ Plan Only | ✕ No | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs | ✓ In the Premier+ Plan Only | ✕ Only accounts having Enterprise plan | ✓ Affordable SLA with 99.9% Uptime |
features | Zoom Video SDK | LiveKit | VideoSDK |
|---|---|---|---|
Support | ✕ Live chat support
| ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Cost |
| Only accounts having Standard or Enterprise plan | Free |
Access to Testing | ✓ Yes, All paid plans have access to testing support from Video SDK. | ✕ No | ✓ All paid accounts get access to testing support from Video SDK |
Access to TAM / CS Engineer | ✓ In the Premier and Premier+ Plan Only | ✕ No | ✓ Dedicated CS & Solution Engineers |
SLAs | ✓ In the Premier+ Plan Only | ✕ Only accounts having Enterprise plan | ✓ 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
