In the fast-paced world of modern communication, WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) has emerged as a crucial technology, enabling seamless and secure real-time communication over the Internet. As businesses increasingly prioritize effective online collaboration, the demand for reliable WebRTC companies has skyrocketed. This article will delve into the intricacies of WebRTC, exploring its significance, the reasons behind the existence of WebRTC companies, and a comprehensive list of the top 10 companies in the industry.
Background on WebRTC
WebRTC, an open-source project that enables web browsers with real-time communication capabilities via simple JavaScript APIs, has revolutionized online interaction. Launched by Google, it is now a recognized standard for web-based communication services. The appeal of WebRTC is its independence from plugins or third-party software, providing a seamless user experience. It's this very technology that has spurred the explosion of WebRTC companies, all competing to provide the most comprehensive, reliable, and secure RTC services.
Why WebRTC Companies Exist
While WebRTC offers a powerful foundation for real-time communication, it has its limitations. Here's where WebRTC companies step in:
- Scalability and Performance: Raw WebRTC requires significant development effort to ensure optimal performance and scalability, especially for large-scale deployments. WebRTC companies address this by providing pre-built infrastructure and optimizations for efficient video call experiences.
- Security and Compliance: Implementing robust security measures and adhering to data privacy regulations can be complex for developers. WebRTC companies offer built-in security features, encryption protocols, and compliance certifications to mitigate these challenges.
- Customization and User Experience: Tailoring the WebRTC experience to specific needs can be time-consuming. WebRTC companies provide tools and functionalities to customize video layouts, branding, recording options, and other elements to enhance user experience.
- Ease of Integration: Integrating raw WebRTC requires strong development expertise. WebRTC companies offer easy-to-use SDKs, APIs, and well-documented resources to simplify the integration process.
- Global Reach and Network Infrastructure: A robust network infrastructure is necessary to ensure reliable video call quality across different geographical locations. WebRTC companies invest in geographically distributed servers and network optimization techniques to deliver consistent performance.
In essence, WebRTC companies bridge the gap between the core technology and its practical implementation. They empower developers to leverage WebRTC's power without getting bogged down in the complexities of infrastructure management, security, and scalability.
Read more about WebRTC limitations
Key Features to Look for in a WebRTC Company
With a plethora of WebRTC companies vying for your attention, choosing the right partner requires careful consideration. Here are some key features to keep in mind:
- Scalability and Reliability: Can the platform handle your current and future user base without compromising performance?
- Ease of Integration: Does the company offer an intuitive SDK and well-documented resources to streamline integration?
- Feature Set: Does the platform provide the functionalities you need, such as screen sharing, recording, noise cancellation, and in-meeting functionalities?
- Security and Compliance: Does the company prioritize data security and adhere to relevant data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA)?
- Customization Options: Can you customize the user experience to align with your brand and specific requirements?
- Global Reach: Does the company offer geographically distributed servers to ensure optimal performance for your target audience?
- Pricing Model: Does the pricing structure align with your budget and usage patterns?
- Customer Support: Does the company offer responsive and reliable customer support to assist you when needed?
Here's a list of must-have features in a Video SDK
List of top 10 WebRTC companies in 2024
Top 10 WebRTC companies include Dyte, Zoom SDK, Agora, Vonage, Twilio Video, Mux, Daily, AWS chime, Whereby and Daily
- Dyte
- Zoom SDK
- Agora
- Vonage
- Twilio Video
- Mux
- Daily
- AWS Chime
- Whereby
- MirrorFly
Let’s evaluate each of these by going through their features, limitations, and pricing.
Dyte
Dyte's Video SDK offers a streamlined way for developers to embed live communication functions within their apps. Its low-code solution and easy-to-understand guides enable the swift incorporation of superior video and audio conferencing features into applications across web, mobile, and desktop platforms with barely any coding needed.
Features:
- Custom experience: Create branded live experiences within your product using our Core SDKs or our UI kit of prebuilt components for a low-code experience.
- Reliable video: Ensure smooth live video playback for users, regardless of network conditions, with intelligent bandwidth switching.
- Collaborative features: Engage users with interactive live experiences through features like chat, emoji reactions, whiteboard, and screen share. Enhance live video with plugins.
- Easy integration: Quickly embed live video into your product using our robust API support and simple configuration across platforms.
- Detailed analytics: Gain insights into video call metrics such as participant interactions and duration to analyze user engagement. Cross-platform streaming: Live stream events to millions of viewers on platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook with built-in RTMP support.
- Seamless Scaling: Easily scale live audio/video in your web app from a few users to over 10,000 and reach millions of viewers through RTMP output.
- Platform support: Develop your live video app for one platform and seamlessly run it across browsers, devices, and operating systems with minimal effort.
- Mobile: Flutter, Android (Java/Kotlin), iOS (Objective-C/Swift), React Native
- Web: Javascript Core SDK + UI Kit for React JS, Angular, Web Components for other frameworks
Pricing:
Dyte provides 10,000 free minutes monthly. Following that, pricing begins at $0.004 per user per minute, with recording at $0.010 per minute, and RTMP at $0.015 per minute.
Clients receive round-the-clock support from Dyte at no cost. Whether it's a basic query or assistance during critical events or technical problems, the team is available to assist you.
Learn more about Dyte's pricing here
Zoom SDK
The Zoom SDK let’s you develop personalized live video applications using Zoom's technology. Zoom introduced the Video SDK to cater to various customer needs beyond the capabilities of the classic Zoom client, aiming to provide access to Zoom's technology directly. Zoom SDK also offers server-side APIs and webhooks. However, Zoom’s strong suite didn’t completely translate into the same sophistication for Zoom SDK. Although Zoom SDK does not use WebRTC as a base, but is often compared to other WebRTC companies.
Features
- Video on Web: Zoom SDK supports up to 25 video streams on web platforms, enhancing interactive visual communication.
- Screen Sharing: Participants can share their screen with others, improving communication and understanding during presentations.
Limitations
- Heavy footprint with a ~75MB SDK
- Does not offer end-to-end encryption
- Does not offer in-built plugins
- Limited customizations
- Max. capacity of 300 participants
Pricing
Zoom provides 10,000 free minutes monthly, with charges applicable once the limit is reached. The Zoom SDK pricing begins at $0.31 per user minute, recording at $100 per month for 1 TB storage, and telephony at $100 monthly. Three customer support options are available: Access, Premier, and Premier+. For pricing details on these plans, reach out to Zoom directly.
If you are looking for Zoom SDK alternatives, check out this honest comparison between Zoom SDK and Dyte
Agora
Agora SDK offers a way to add video and audio communication features to your apps. It let’s you add functionalities, providing the basics for digital interactions like meetings or live streams. While it gets the job done for embedding real-time communication, it's limits functionalities that elevate and scale the video calling.
Features
- Real-Time Voice and Video Engagement: Offers capabilities for embedding real-time, high-quality voice and video interactions within applications.
- Collaboration Tools: Features tools like screen sharing and presentations to facilitate collaborative efforts among users.
- Analytics: Provides basic analytical tools to monitor and optimize the performance and usage of the communication features.
Limitations
- Different SDKs: Agora offers separate SDKs for video calling, audio calling, text messaging, and whiteboard.
- Limited Support for Older Browsers: Users who are not on the latest browsers may experience compatibility issues, affecting the overall user experience.
- Complex Customization: Developers may have some complexities when it comes to highly specific or intricate customizations.
Pricing:
Agora provides 10,000 free minutes monthly. After that, audio calls cost $0.99/1000 user minutes, full HD video calls are $8.99/1000 user minutes, and the Whiteboard feature is $1.40/1000 user minutes. Additional features like the Agora analytics plan at $149/month are billed separately. Agora support offers starter (free), standard ($1200/month), premium ($2999/month), and enterprise ($4900/month) plans. The starter plan may not match up to the paid options. For more details, check our detailed article on Agora pricing.
If you are looking for Agora alternatives, check out this comparison between Dyte vs. Agora
Vonage Video
Vonage Video API, formerly known as TokBox, allows developers to weave video chat into their apps and websites. It's an option on the table for those exploring ways to embed real-time video communications. While it brings video capabilities to the digital space and is an early player, it don’t provide a lot of new-age capabilities.
Features:
- Offers collaborative features like chat, whiteboard, Google calendar sync, emojis, and more. Access performance data with the "Detailed Meeting Log" feature.
- GDPR and HIPAA-compliant
- Offers SiP interconnect
- Quick room setup and adaptable user interface with Video Express
Limitations
- Platform Compatibility: While Vonage Video supports various platforms, users may encounter compatibility issues with specific devices or operating systems. Ensuring compatibility with the intended devices is crucial for a seamless user experience.
- Deliverability Issues: There are reported deliverability problems in some countries, which could affect the reliability and reach of video communications across different geographic locations.
- You can only have up to 2,000 concurrent room participants during a stream.
- Browser compatibility: Users who aren’t on the latest browser version may face issues during the call
Pricing
Vonage Video provides pricing that is dependent on the number of participants in a video session, recalculated every minute. Starting at $9.99 per month, all plans include 2,000 free minutes monthly. Beyond the free minutes, the charge is $0.00395 per participant per minute. Additionally, recording begins at $0.10 per minute and HLS streaming at $0.15 per minute.
Checkout Vonage (Tokbox alternatives) and compare Dyte vs Vonage
Twilio Video
Twilio Video, a prominent player among WebRTC companies, empowered developers with a platform to embed real-time video features into their applications. However, Twilio has announced the discontinuation of Twilio Programmable Video, with the service set to cease operations on December 5, 2024.
Features:
- Real-time communication: Video chat, voice calls, live streaming, and screen sharing.
- Global network: Delivers reliable connections across multiple regions.
- Scalability: Supports a large number of concurrent users for various applications.
- Customization: Provides white labeling and UI/UX customization options.
- Additional features: Virtual backgrounds, recording, noise reduction, and more.
Limitations:
- Development Effort: Integration and customization within applications necessitate high development effort.
- Bandwidth Needs: High-quality video calls may utilize substantial bandwidth, potentially impacting performance under low-bandwidth conditions.
- Browser Compatibility Limitations: Despite enhancements, certain functions may still lack universal web browser support, influencing user experience.
- Latency Concerns: Users in distant areas could encounter latency issues, affecting the real-time nature of communication.
Pricing:
Twilio Programmable Video offers pricing options, such as $0.0015 per minute for peer-to-peer rooms and $0.01 per participant per minute for Group Rooms. Additionally, users get 10 GB of storage, with extra storage available at $0.05 per GB per month. For voice services, rates begin at $0.0085 per minute for incoming calls.
Learn more about the List of top Twilio Video alternatives, Twilio Video pricing and compare Dyte vs.Twilio Video
Mux
Mux provides an API for developers to integrate live and on-demand video capabilities into their applications. This feature allows for real-time broadcasting to a large audience through live streaming, followed by the immediate availability of an on-demand version. Mux simplifies video encodings, delivery, and renditions, removing the complexity from the process.
Features:
- Real-time analytics: Mux provides detailed analytics about call quality and participant performance.
- RTMP Input for Live Streaming: The platform supports RTMP inputs, crucial for broadcasting live video feeds and improving real-time content dissemination.
- Mux supports up to 100 participants in a real-time webRTC environment with their video on.
Limitations
- Does not provide built-in support for handling video call disruptions or managing publish-subscribe logic for meeting users.
- The support is pretty slow, and you can expect delays in replies – which hurts the most when starting to build live.
- Does not offer Chat and plugins
Pricing
Mux's "Pay as you go" strategy begins with $20. Following that, you pay $32 per 1,000 minutes for encoding, $0.240 per 1,000 minutes for storage, and $0.96 per 1,000 minutes for live streaming. Custom plans cater to large-volume consumption.
In case you are looking for Mux alternatives, check out this comparison between Agora vs Mux
Daily
Daily is a WebRTC company that offers a video calling solution with live streaming capabilities. The Daily SDK provides essential features for video calls and enables building custom applications or adding video streaming to existing ones. It is compatible with Flutter, iOS, Android, Web, and React Native platforms.
Features
- Daily APIs are available for Javascript, Flutter, iOS, and Android platforms.
- Provides call analytics and logs
- Breakout rooms, live transcriptions, audio/video recordings, whiteboard, and chat are available with Daily Prebuilt
Limitations
- Support can take up to 72 hours to resolve your issues.
- The platform lacks capabilities for managing edge cases.
- The tool lacks the capability to handle users' live video interactions independently. You must integrate publish-subscribe logic manually to enable this functionality.
Pricing
Daily pricing is $0.004 per participant minute with a monthly refresh of 10,000 free minutes. Audio is charged at $0.00099 per user per minute, streaming at $0.0012 per minute, RTMP out at $0.015 per minute, and recording at $0.01349 per GB.
All accounts receive complimentary email and chat support. For enhanced support features, opt for an add-on package starting at $250 per month.
In case you are looking, here’s a handy list of Daily alternatives
AWS Chime
Chime, an Amazon Web Services video conferencing tool, caters to business users. In addition to VoIP calls and video messaging, Chime features virtual meetings for hosting or joining remote meetings. Users can schedule and attend online meetings using audio or visual services. However, Chime does not provide an SDK for embedding in applications or allow customization of the user interface.
Features
- Encrypts all calls, videos, and chats.
- Can host meetings (up to 250 participants), record, schedule, give meeting controls, etc.
- Features like screen sharing, remote desktop control, and individual/group text chats promote collaboration.
Limitations
- Does not offer session analytics unless you opt for the enterprise plan.
- Integrating AWS Chime requires additional development effort compared to simpler WebRTC companies.
- Don’t offer features like polling, auto-sync with Google Calendar, and background blur effects
- Does not offer in-depth edge case management capabilities
Pricing
AWS Chime SDK pricing follows a pay-as-you-go approach, charging $0.0017 per minute per attendee for standard sessions and $0.0034 for high-definition sessions. Moreover, PSTN Audio Application usage attracts a fee of $0.002 per minute. This dynamic pricing model enables users to pay solely for the services they employ, rendering it a versatile solution for embedding communication features into applications.
Learn more about the List of top AWS Chime alternatives, AWS Chime pricing and compare Dyte vs.Twilio Video vs. AWS Chime
Whereby
Whereby is a platform designed to facilitate video communications. It offers basic features for conducting video calls and meetings directly through the browser, without the need for extensive setup or downloads. While it provides functionality for virtual interactions, its offerings are relatively standard in the crowded field of online communication tools. Wehreby aims to meet the fundamental needs of users looking to connect with others remotely.
Features
- Whereby allows basic customization options to modify the user interface.
- iOS, Android, React Native, and Web- Whereby API covers a wide range of platforms.
- GDPR compliant
Limitations
- The SDK provides basic collaborative features such as screen sharing, recording, picture-in-picture, and text chat, but lacks the capability to add more interactive elements.
- Does not automatically manage user-host publish-subscribe logic — leaving you to configure them manually.
- Limited to 50 participants in a single meeting room.
- No dial-in feature for phone calls.
Pricing
The Explore plan is free, of course, with restricted features. For an enhanced experience, the Build plan is priced at $9.99 monthly and offers 2000 participant minutes. Additional usage beyond this limit incurs a charge of $0.004 per minute. Cloud recording is available at a rate of $0.01 per minute.
In case you are looking for Whereby alternatives, compare Whereby vs. Jitsi
MirrorFly
MirrorFly is an in-app chat, voice, and video call API provider. Their APIs and SDKs allow you to integrate video calling functionalities and features into your app.
Features
- Compatible with Android, iOS, and Web platforms.
- Includes APIs, SDKS & UI components for building chat, voice, and video calls into applications.
- Features include topic-based chat, meeting rooms, and conferencing, catering to various communication needs.
Limitations
- Screen sharing functionality is restricted to certain tech stacks, which may limit its utility for some users or developers.
- Limited capabilities for virtual backgrounds, breakout rooms, or AI/ML Middleware.
- Not SOC 2 compliant
Pricing:
MirrorFly provides pricing in two modules: Software as a Service (SaaS) and Self-hosted (SaaP). Under SaaS, there are two plans available - Essential at $0.08 per user per month and Premium at $0.2 per user per month. On the other hand, the Self-hosted option entails a one-time license fee, offering a white-label solution along with lifetime ownership of source codes and SDKs.
Top 10 WebRTC Companies
Company | Features | Limitations | Pricing |
Dyte | - Custom experience with low-code solutions - Reliable video playback - Collaborative features - Easy integration - Detailed analytics - Seamless scaling - Cross-platform support | - Complexity for specific customizations - Learning curve - Dependency on internet - Pricing beyond 10,000 free minutes | Starting at 10,000 free minutes, then $0.004 per user/min, recording at $0.010/min, RTMP at $0.015/min. |
Zoom SDK | - Video support for up to 25 streams - Screen sharing | - Heavy SDK footprint - No end-to-end encryption - Limited customizations - Max. 300 participants | Starting at 10,000 free minutes, then $0.31 per user/min, recording at $100/month, telephony at $100/month. |
Agora | - Real-time voice and video engagement - Collaboration tools - Analytics | - Different SDKs - Limited support for older browsers - Complex customizations | Starting at 10,000 free minutes, then audio at $0.99/1000 min, full HD video at $8.99/1000 min, Whiteboard at $1.40/1000 min. Support plans available. |
Vonage Video | - Collaborative features - GDPR and HIPAA-compliant - SiP interconnect - Quick setup | - Platform compatibility - Deliverability issues - 2,000 concurrent room limit - Browser compatibility | Starting at $9.99/month, includes 2,000 free minutes. Additional usage at $0.00395/participant/min. Recording at $0.10/min, HLS streaming at $0.15/min. |
Twilio Video | - Real-time communication - Global network - Scalability - Customization - Additional features | - High development effort - Bandwidth needs - Browser compatibility - Latency concerns | Pricing options for Video SDK available, starting at $0.0015/min for peer-to-peer rooms. Extra storage available. |
Mux | - Real-time analytics - RTMP input for live streaming - Supports up to 100 participants | - Limited support for disruptions - Slow support response - No built-in chat and plugins | "Pay as you go" pricing starting at $32 per 1,000 min for encoding, $0.240/1,000 min for storage, $0.96/1,000 min for live streaming. Custom plans available. |
Daily | - APIs for Javascript, Flutter, iOS, Android - Call analytics - Collaborative features | - Support response time up to 72 hours - Limited for edge cases - Manual configuration for interactions | Pricing at $0.004/participant/min with 10,000 free minutes. Additional charges for audio, streaming, RTMP out, and recording. Add-on support available. |
AWS Chime | - End-to-end encryption - Hosting meetings for 250 participants - Collaboration features | - No session analytics (except enterprise) - Additional development effort - Missing certain features | Pay-as-you-go pricing at $0.0017/min for standard sessions, $0.0034/min for high-definition sessions. PSTN Audio at $0.002/min. |
Whereby | - Basic customization - Compatible with various platforms - GDPR compliant | - Limited collaborative features - Manual configuration - Limited to 50 participants | Free Explore plan, Build plan at $9.99/month with 2,000 participant minutes. Additional usage at $0.004/min. Cloud recording at $0.01/min. |
MirrorFly | - Compatible with Android, iOS, Web - APIs and SDKs for chat, voice, video - Various features | - Limited screen sharing - Limited virtual backgrounds - Not SOC 2 compliant | SaaS pricing with Essential at $0.08/user/month, Premium at $0.2/user/month. Self-hosted with one-time license fee for a white-label solution. |
Conclusion
WebRTC is the backbone of today's video calls. But, despite its strengths, it has challenges of its own.
Unless you have the technical expertise & resources, the integration can be cumbersome.
That's why teams prefer to integrate Managed WebRTC like Dyte over Raw WebRTC.
So check out Dyte because, unlike Raw WebRTC, Dyte actually allows developers to create live experiences in under 5 minutes.
Don't believe us? Check out Dyte's Quickstart guide and explore the sample apps built on top of Dyte.