A WebRTC API platform vendor is a company that provides features and functionality through an API that developers can use to quickly build web apps that use peer-to-peer live data sharing based on WebRTC.
Table of contents:
- Introduction to WebRTC API Platforms
- Web browsers and WebRTC Support
- WebRTC API vendors
- Web browsers and WebRTC Support
- WebRTC API vendors
Introduction to WebRTC API Platforms
WebRTC is an open-source project maintained by Google that aims to enable web applications that use features like live video and real-time interaction from inside web browsers such as Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and more.
WebRTC use cases for web apps may include features for:
- Live video conferencing
- Online interactive games
- Live chat support
- Telehealth & Tele-medicine
- Remote learning
- Remote work & collaboration
Vendors offering WebRTC API’s make developing, deploying, and maintaining these applications substantially easier and more economically viable for startups and established businesses alike.
Web browsers and WebRTC Support
Not all browsers support implementations of WebRTC in exactly the same way, though as a rule of thumb, all major browsers are able to support WebRTC applications.
- Google Chrome
Chrome offers full WebRTC support, though with VP8/VP9 video only. Google Chrome is the most popular browser in the world, and Google is the host company of the WebRTC project.
- Firefox
Firefox offers full WebRTC support with VP8/VP9 video as well as H.264 encoded video. Mozilla Firefox is a very popular open-source web browser that has focus on a wide range of compatibility, stability, and security.
- Opera
Opera offers full WebRTC support with VP8 video. Opera can support H.264 through the use of extensions, plugins, and browser modification from experienced users. Opera as a browser is meant to be lightweight but still supports WebRTC applications.
- Apple Safari
Safari has had full WebRTC support since iOS 11. Safari is the native browser for iPhone, macintosh, and iPod touch devices.
- Microsoft Edge
Edge is a browser based on Chromium, but it is heavily modified. It fully supports WebRTC since Windows 10.
The adoption of WebRTC as a standard has not been a given for every technology company provider, and some web browsers to this day still vary in their implementation of WebRTC support, and potentially their compatibility with certain web applications.
Full browser support of WebRTC is a big commitment on the part of the web browser, so while these major browsers support WebRTC, it is not an automatic assumption that other lesser-known browsers or more likely out-of-date browsers will be able to use WebRTC applications without problems.
WebRTC API vendors
API vendors for WebRTC take away a substantial amount of headaches for developers who want to quickly make and implement applications that use WebRTC.
A WebRTC API vendor already has a list of available features built and implemented with WebRTC which are made available for developers to use through an API. Choosing a WebRTC API platform is a long-term commitment to your development cycle and dev-ops workflow, so it’s not a trivial choice.
Digital Samba
Digital Samba is an established company in the field of Live Video conferencing, turn-key webinar solutions, and real-time interactive feature integration for software developers through the use of Digital Samba’s integration API.
Digital Samba Embedded is a turn-key online collaboration software solution and video calling API which offers white labelling and UI/UX customisation for its stand-alone software.
Every one of Digital Samba’s features as a stand-alone software solution is available for integration and custom use through its API.
Digital Samba’s available live features are centred around live video, collaboration, remote work, and webinars. Some of those features include:
- High-quality live video streams
- Cloud recordings
- Live chat
- Interactive whiteboards
- User polling and Q&A
- Screen sharing
- File sharing
- Content library management & CDN
- Breakout rooms
Digital Samba is also natively GDPR-compliant and maintains a secure streaming infrastructure that allows for safely scalable international use without the fear of security vulnerabilities or compliance violations.
Integrate live WebRTC video into your product for a cohesive user experience. Create a free account today.
AnyMeeting
AnyMeeting (Owned by Intermedia) is a video conferencing company that targets small businesses.
In 2014, AnyMeeting announced the availability of its WebRTC-enabled API to its partners for the sake of product integration. AnyMeeting offers integration with applications like Slack, Google Meet, Outlook, and more.
Livestorm
Livestorm is a company offering real-time video communication and other live interactive features. Livestorm also offers an API-based developer portal, which showcases the types of WebRTC-based applications that can be built using the Livestorm API.
Livestream’s WebRTC-based API has good documentation and learning resources. There are also a number of useful features that can be built quickly with Livestorm’s API.
Antmedia
Antmedia is a live-streaming engine service-centred company that focuses on providing open-source media server resources to its clients.
It hosts a REST API that enables developers to build WebRTC-based video streaming services.
Clan meeting
Clan Meeting is an HD video conferencing web and mobile company.
It offers pay-as-you-go video conferencing and has a WebRTC-enabled API available for developers that is easy to use and integrate into web applications and other software solutions.
Mind
Mind’s video platform focuses on the functionality surrounding remote work.
Mind has an API that allows developers to utilise its cloud infrastructure that supports up to 200 video participants in a single call – or all the way up to 1,000 live participants with audio only.
Whereby
Whereby provides a web-based video conferencing solution that includes a REST API which developers can create video meetings with and customise rooms.
Whereby’s API requires API key authentication and expects JSON payload requests while making JSON responses. Rooms are limited to 50 people, and there are throttling limits for API usage.
Developing with WebRTC through an API provider
API providers already have functioning WebRTC-enabled implementations with infrastructure capable of handling live video to many participants built and maintained.
The API keys themselves may have free tiered access for developers to begin building prototypes with, but there will always be an ongoing expense associated with using these APIs.
However, the expense associated with using a WebRTC-enabled third-party video conference API vendor will usually be quite a bit less expensive and much less of an operational headache for the developer to deal with in terms of DevOps, infrastructure cost, bug fixing, and cyber security exposure.
Still have questions? Get a consult!
Digital Samba prides itself on the responsiveness of its technical support and sales consultants. Do you still have questions about using a video-calling API to fill your integration needs or to build your product?
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