Top 10 Video SDKs for Online Events

In the digital era, events have taken on a new form, transcending physical boundaries and embracing the virtual realm. Traditional venues are being replaced with online platforms, creating opportunities for global participation and fostering a sense of community without geographical limitations. Technological advancements have primarily enabled this evolution, particularly the development of Video Software Development Kits (Video SDKs). Let's delve into how Video SDKs are revolutionizing online event platforms.

The shift from offline to online events has been significant, driven by factors like globalization, cost-effectiveness, convenience, and, most recently, the global pandemic. Today, a wide range of events are hosted online - from webinars, live concerts, and product launches to virtual weddings. These use cases underline the versatility and potential of online event platforms.

At the heart of these platforms lie Video SDKs, which play a pivotal role in their functionality and success. A Video SDK is a software development toolset that allows developers to build video-related applications. It provides the framework for integrating video calling, live streaming, screen sharing, and other video functionalities into an application.

In the context of online event platforms, Video SDKs enable real-time, high-quality video and audio streaming, making it possible to host various events virtually. Whether a small-scale team meeting or a large-scale international conference, Video SDKs ensure seamless communication and interaction, enhancing the overall event experience.

Stay tuned as we explore more about Video SDKs' immense potential and benefits in online events. Here's to the future of unbounded, virtual, and incredibly interactive events!

Must have features of a Video SDK for an Online Platform

A robust and feature-rich Video SDK is crucial in the rapidly evolving world of online platforms. Here are some must-have features for Video SDK:

1. High-Quality Video and Audio Streaming: The quality of video and audio streaming is paramount. The SDK should support HD video and high-fidelity audio to ensure a smooth and enjoyable user experience.
2. Real-Time Communication: Real-time video and audio streaming are essential for interactive events like webinars, live concerts, and conferences. Low latency is crucial to facilitate real-time interaction among participants.
3. Scalability: The SDK should be able to handle various users – from a handful during a team meeting to thousands during a large-scale event. It should scale seamlessly without compromising on video or audio quality.
4. Cross-Platform Compatibility: The SDK should be compatible across various platforms (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) and browsers to ensure accessibility for all users.
5. Recording and Playback: The ability to record and playback events is essential for users who may want to revisit the content or those who couldn't attend the live event.
6. Screen Sharing and Whiteboarding: These features are handy for webinars, virtual classrooms, and corporate meetings, enabling presenters to share their screens or draw on a virtual whiteboard for better explanation.
7. Interactive Elements: Features like live polls, Q&A sessions, and chat boxes can help increase audience engagement during the event.
8. APIs for Customization: The SDK should offer APIs that allow developers to customize the video experience according to the specific needs of their platform.
9. Bandwidth Management: Efficient bandwidth management is crucial for maintaining video quality, especially in regions with poor connectivity.

A Video SDK can significantly enhance an online event platform's functionality and user experience by incorporating these features.

What are the compliances required in a Video SDK for building an online events platform?

When building an online events platform using a Video SDK, there are several compliance requirements that you must adhere to:

1. Terms of Service Compliance: The platform must comply with the terms of service of the Video SDK provider. For instance, the "Permitted Application" should be a web, mobile, or other software service or application that utilizes the SDK Service and complies with the terms of service as outlined by the provider.
2. Data Protection and Privacy Compliance: Depending on your geographical location and where your users are located, you may need to comply with various data protection and privacy laws, like GDPR in Europe, CCPA in California, etc. This includes obtaining necessary user consent, providing transparency about data usage, and ensuring proper security measures are in place.
3. Accessibility Compliance: The platform should comply with accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to make it accessible to people with disabilities.
4. Open Measurement (OM) SDK Compliance: If you intend to serve ads within your video content, you may need to ensure compliance with the OM SDK standards for ad measurement and verification.
5. ISV Program Participation: Some Video SDK providers may require participation in their Independent Software Vendor (ISV) program. This typically involves meeting certain criteria and agreeing to specific terms and conditions.
6. Local Legal Compliance: Depending on the nature of the events being hosted, you may need to comply with specific local laws and regulations, such as obtaining necessary permits for public gatherings, adhering to rules around explicit content, etc.
7. Platform-specific Compliance: If your application is to be made available on platforms like the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store, you will have to comply with their respective guidelines and review processes.

These are general guidelines, and the specific compliance requirements may vary based on the Video SDK provider, the nature of the online events platform being built, and the jurisdictions in which it operates.

Let's look at the top 10 video SDK platforms in the context of an online events platform, including Dyte, Zoom, Cometchat, and Jitsi.

List of Top 10 Video SDKs for an Online Events Platform

1. Dyte
2. Tokbox
3. Zoom
4. Jitsi
5. Whereby
6. Apphitect
7. Mirrorfly
8. Cometchat
9. Agora
10. Mux

Dyte

Dyte is a video SDK platform engineered to assist businesses, regardless of their size, in seamlessly integrating top-notch live video into their applications. With its user interface kit, Dyte simplifies the customization of the live video experience and ensures a smooth calling experience via built-in features like auto-track management and intelligent bandwidth switching. Furthermore, Dyte offers 10,000 minutes of free usage each month, allowing users to thoroughly test the product without cost.

Dyte features

1. Customizable Live Experiences: Dyte's SDKs and UI kit components allow developers to create bespoke live experiences that align with their product's branding.
2. Dependable Video Quality: Dyte's advanced technology ensures stable video performance, minimizing lag and frame drops, regardless of network conditions.
3. Interactive Features: The SDK includes built-in features like chat, emoji reactions, whiteboard, and multi-screen sharing. Developers can also add more features using plugins.
4. Cross-Platform Streaming: Dyte supports streaming on multiple platforms, enabling live events to reach thousands of viewers across different mediums.
5. Comprehensive Analytics: Detailed analytics on video call metrics are available, providing valuable insights for improving user experience and engagement.
6. Easy Integration: Embedding live video into products is straightforward with Dyte's API support and one-click configuration.
7. Scalability: Dyte's technology can effortlessly scale to accommodate growing audience sizes.
8. Security: Dyte Video SDKs are SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA compliant

Dyte Pricing

Dyte operates on a usage-based pricing model, offering 10,000 free minutes each month. After this, charges apply per minute, with different rates for various services.

Now, if you are looking for custom pricing or volume discounts, get in touch with our team - we are sure we can figure something out or need more information. Check out how to integrate Dyte into your online events platform.

Vonage Video

Vonage is a provider of communication services for businesses and consumers. Established in 1998 under the name Min-X, it underwent a rebranding in 2001 to become what we now know as Vonage. It operates as a video SDK platform that enables developers to create customized video interactions on various platforms, such as Android, iOS, and the Web.

Key Features of Vonage Video:

• Supports Encrypted Video Recordings
• Facilitates Embedding Video Chats
• Compliance with GDPR and HIPAA regulations

Limitations of Vonage

• Requires considerable coding effort
• Lacks User Interface (UI) Support
• Does not offer Plugin options
• Absence of features like Polls, audio room, and multiple audio support
• Additional charges for Composite recording

Pricing of Vonage

When it comes to pricing, Vonage's Video SDK follows a tiered structure, including mobile, premium, and advanced plans. This pricing model may seem a bit steep for small-scale businesses. For a detailed breakdown of Vonage's pricing and plans, it's recommended to visit their official site and check the most updated information.

Learn how Vonage compares with Dyte. An honest comparison, we promise.

Zoom video SDK

Zoom Video SDK is a platform that lets businesses incorporate video calling features into their applications. It caters to various scenarios, from individual meetings to large-scale webinars, providing the necessary tools to design an interactive and engaging video interface.

Key Features of Zoom Video SDK:

• Allows up to 1,000 co-hosts/participants per session
• Supports seven major languages and offers an open translation extensibility feature for international application expansion
• Provides the ability to stream meetings on Facebook

Limitations of Zoom Video SDK:

• Lacks interactive features
• Limited customization options for live video
• Only supports the pre-defined roles of the host and participant
• Slower customer service response, with resolution times sometimes exceeding 48 hours

Zoom Video SDK pricing

In terms of pricing, Zoom Video SDK offers 10,000 minutes of free usage each month. Beyond this, the cost is $0.0035 per user per minute for video conferencing. Additionally, there are charges for other services: $100 per month for 1 TB of storage for recordings and $100 per month for telephony. For a more comprehensive comparison of features between Zoom and Jitsi, refer to the respective comparison guide.

More detailed information about Zoom Video SDK's pricing can be found in our blog.

Jitsi

Unlike other Video SDKs in the list, Jitsi Video SDK is an open-source project catering to different use cases of video conferencing. It is an ideal fit for seasoned developers who enjoy building applications from the ground up. However, its complexity may pose challenges for other user segments.

Key Features of Jitsi Video SDK:

• The open-source nature allows complete freedom for modification and use
• Provides basic features such as text sharing via Etherpad, room locking, text chatting (web only), hand-raising feature, YouTube video access during calls, audio-only calls, and third-party app integrations
• Video calls are end-to-end encrypted
• SFU architecture of Jitsi Videobridge reduces resource strain on client devices

Limitations of Jitsi Video SDK:

• Requires a high degree of technical expertise. Not suitable for users seeking low-code, ready-to-deploy SDKs as it requires coding while setting up
• Chat or polls are not encrypted
• It can consume a high amount of data due to its SFU architecture
• Lacks certain features like "raising hand" and "file sharing."
• Screen sharing, video/audio call recording, and telephone dial-in to a conference are not available in Jitsi Meet but can be accessed by setting up Jibri and JIgsai (other projects under Jitsi)

Jitsi Pricing

Pricing for Jitsi Video SDK is one of its advantages - it's completely free. All projects under Jitsi can be used at any time without any cost. However, it's important to note that there is no dedicated technical support. Users must rely on community support for assistance and problem-solving. However, if you do want to opt for a paid option, you can go for 8x8 Jitsi as a Service(JaaS). Pricing for JaaS is based on the number of monthly active users (MAU).

Check out our comparison of Jitsi vs. Agora vs. Dyte for a deep dive.

Whereby

Whereby Video SDK is a web-based platform that provides meeting facilities through individual, permanent rooms for each user. There's no need for downloads or registrations, and guests can join meetings by clicking a link.

Key Features of Whereby Video SDK:

• Offers a personalized video interface
• Enables calls from anywhere
• Provides data security to a certain extent
• Facilitates collaboration

Limitations of Whereby Video SDK:

• Only allows one host per room
• The free tier is limited to 45-minute meetings
• Lacks access to multiple apps
• May be blocked by users due to insufficient security settings
• Does not handle changing network conditions well
• Does not fully utilize available screen area during screen sharing
• Limited integrations during screen-share mode

Whereby Pricing

The pricing for Whereby Video SDK starts at $9.99 per month, which includes up to 2,000 user minutes replenished monthly. If more time is needed, an additional charge of $0.004 per minute applies, allowing users to extend their usage as necessary. These features can be accessed at $0.01 per minute for users interested in cloud recording and live streaming. All Whereby accounts include free email and chat support, ensuring users have access to technical assistance when required.

Now, if you searching for a Whereby Alternative, check out this in-depth comparison between Zoom vs Whereby vs Dyte.

Apphitect

Apphitect Video SDK is a platform that provides video chat and conference call services. It caters to businesses of various sizes, offering solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Key Features of Apphitect Video SDK:

• Customizable and white-labeled solution
• Highly scalable
• Supports up to 100 video call participants
• Includes group calls and conference chats

Limitations of Apphitect Video SDK:

• The platform might be challenging for beginners to navigate
• Customer support can be slow
• The integration of features such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) could complicate the development process

Apphitect pricing

The pricing structure for Apphitect Video SDK is not publicly disclosed. Users have to connect with their sales team to get detailed information about their pricing.

Mirrorfly

Mirrorfly Video SDK is a platform that works in conjunction with SaaS infrastructure providers to deliver a seamless chat solution.

Key Features of Mirrorfly Video SDK:

• Offers free chat Software Development Kits (SDKs)
• Includes dedicated cloud servers
• Supports multi-tenancy
• Offers a white-label chat solution
• Provides on-premise hosting

Limitations of Mirrorfly Video SDK:

• The platform can be complex and time-consuming, potentially leading to project delays
• The documentation is not detailed, which can make troubleshooting and implementation more challenging
• There are restrictions in customizing the platform according to unique business needs
• Includes a one-time license cost

Pricing of Mirrorfly SDK

As for the pricing of Mirrorfly Video SDK, it offers both "Pay-as-you-go" and "One-time License cost" pricing plans. For more specific details and to book a demo, you would need to contact their team directly.

CometChat

CometChat Video SDK is a platform that offers APIs for developers to integrate in-app text messaging into any mobile app and website. It is compatible across hybrid platforms like iOS, Web, and Android.

Key Features of CometChat Video SDK:

• Provides 1-to-1 video chat and group chats
• Offers video conferencing functionality
• Has typing and presence indicators
• Includes chat widgets like drag-and-drop
• Allows white-labeled message translation
• Consists of automated moderation tools

Limitations of CometChat Video SDK:

• New users may find the platform challenging due to its complex features and configurations
• There can be scalability issues when handling a large number of concurrent users
• Some users have reported lags in real-time communication and slow responses

CometChat Pricing

When it comes to pricing, CometChat Video SDK operates on a tiered pricing model depending on the monthly active users (MAUs) your app intends to serve. The startup plan begins at $109 per month for up to 1000 MAU, with prices increasing as your app's MAU scales.

Agora

Agora Video SDK is a tool designed to assist developers in incorporating video calls and live streams into their websites and iOS/Android applications. It offers various APIs and development tools that can be seamlessly integrated into your services, along with customization options for enhancing user experience.

Key Features of Agora Video SDK:

• Provides APIs and development tools for easy integration
• Allows for the implementation of video calls and live streams
• Offers customization options to improve the user experience

Limitations of Agora Video SDK:

• Multiple SDK options with similar titles can lead to confusion
• Lack of webhooks hampers complete workflow integration
• The tool does not automatically manage user bandwidth, leading to potential issues in case of network failures

Agora Pricing

As for pricing, Agora calculates the total audio & video usage duration across all projects for an Agora account at the end of each month. Video usage is categorized into four types based on resolution and priced individually. After deducting the 10,000 free monthly minutes, the remaining usage is multiplied by its unit price to calculate the monthly billing. Standard pricing (per 1,000 participant minutes) is as follows: Audio - $0.99, HD Video - $3.99.

Learn more about Agora Pricing.

If you are on the lookout for Agora alternatives, see how Dyte compares to Agora - in an honest feature-wise comparison.

Mux

Mux Video SDK is a powerful tool that enables developers to incorporate live and on-demand video features into their applications. It streamlines the broadcasting of real-time sessions to millions of viewers via live streaming and provides an immediate on-demand version post-session.

Key Features of Mux Video SDK:

• Supports web, iOS, and Android SDKs
• Allows participation of up to 100 individuals with their video turned on in real-time in a WebRTC environment
• Offers open APIs
• Provides volume discounts

Limitations of Mux Video SDK:

• Lacks built-in assistance to manage disruptions during a video call
• Does not have inbuilt collaborative features
• Does not support plugins
• Requires building apps or UI from scratch as there are no prebuilt options
• There are no built-in interactive features; integration of another SDK is necessary for this

Mux Pricing

When it comes to pricing, Mux Video SDK offers a one-time credit of $20 for new sign-ups. Beyond that, the pricing model is usage-based: real-time video costs $0.004 per minute, encoding is priced at $0.04 per minute, storage costs $0.003 per minute, and streaming is priced at $0.0012 per minute.

Compare Top 10 Video SDKs for an Online Events Platform:

Alright, folks! That's it.

Conclusion

Picking the ideal Video SDK for your online event platform is a pivotal step that can profoundly influence the functionality and user experience of your platform. It is vital to align your choice with your unique requirements, technological expertise, and budget.

Each Video SDK comes with its own set of distinctive features, strengths, and limitations. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of these factors will enable you to make a well-informed decision.

The end goal is to deliver a smooth, dependable, and high-quality video experience to your audience.

That's where Dyte stands out. Learn why Topmate, Threado, Peerlist, Nirog Street, and more trust Dyte.

Check out Dyte's Uptime Status (in Real Time), Dyte Pricing, and User Documentation to evaluate yourself.

You can get started yourself with 10K free credits each month. Talk to our team and watch how easy it is to integrate Dyte into your events platform.

Please note that the pricing details are subject to change, and it's advisable to visit the respective websites or contact the providers for the most up-to-date pricing information.