OpenTok vs WebRTC

Overview

OpenTok

Stacks60

Followers159

Votes8

WebRTC

Stacks322

Followers538

Votes6

OpenTok vs WebRTC: What are the differences?

WebRTC is an open-source project that enables real-time communication capabilities directly in web browsers, allowing peer-to-peer communication without the need for additional plugins or extensions. OpenTok, on the other hand, is a platform provided by TokBox that utilizes WebRTC technology to offer a complete solution for embedding real-time communications into websites and mobile apps.

Infrastructure and architecture: One key difference between OpenTok and WebRTC is their infrastructure and architecture. WebRTC is a set of API and protocols that enables real-time communication directly between browsers. It requires developers to set up and manage their own infrastructure, such as signaling servers and media servers, for a complete communication solution. OpenTok, on the other hand, provides a cloud-based infrastructure that takes care of the signaling, media routing, and recording, making it easier for developers to integrate real-time communication into their applications.
Scalability and reach: WebRTC is a scalable technology that allows communication between two or more peers directly in the browser. However, when it comes to large-scale applications with multiple participants or when dealing with network limitations, the burden of managing the scalability and quality of service falls on the developer. OpenTok, on the other hand, provides built-in scalability and quality of service features like automatic fallbacks, adaptive bitrate controls, and support for large numbers of participants. It ensures a consistent experience across different network conditions and devices.
Cross-platform support: While WebRTC provides support for real-time communication in web browsers, it may have limited support on certain platforms or older versions of browsers. OpenTok, on the other hand, offers SDKs and APIs that extend the reach of WebRTC technology to mobile platforms like iOS and Android. It allows developers to create applications that can be used on a wide range of devices and platforms, ensuring a consistent experience for users.
Developer tools and resources: WebRTC provides a set of APIs and protocols that developers can use to build real-time communication applications. However, it lacks some higher-level features and tools that can simplify the development process. OpenTok offers a range of developer tools and resources, such as SDKs, client libraries, code samples, and comprehensive documentation, that enable developers to quickly integrate real-time communication into their applications. It provides higher-level abstractions and features like session management, archiving, and moderation controls, making it easier for developers to build robust and feature-rich applications.
Security and compliance: WebRTC does not provide built-in security mechanisms for real-time communication. It is up to the developer to implement appropriate security measures like encryption and authentication. OpenTok, on the other hand, provides a secure and compliant platform for real-time communication. It offers features like end-to-end encryption, authentication, and moderation controls to ensure the privacy and security of the users' communication data.
Support and maintenance: WebRTC is an open-source project, which means it relies on community support for bug fixes, updates, and maintenance. OpenTok, being a commercial platform, provides dedicated support and maintenance services to its customers. It ensures regular updates, bug fixes, and support for its platform, reducing the burden on developers and ensuring a stable and reliable real-time communication experience.

In summary, OpenTok provides a cloud-based infrastructure, built-in scalability and cross-platform support, developer tools and resources, security and compliance features, and dedicated support and maintenance services that simplify and enhance the integration of real-time communication into web and mobile applications compared to WebRTC alone.

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Advice on OpenTok, WebRTC

Ritwik

May 27, 2020

Needs adviceon

WebRTC

Amazon Chime

Agora

Hello. So, I wanted to make a decision on whether to use WebRTC or Amazon Chime for a conference call (meeting). My plan is to build an app with features like video broadcasting, and the ability for all the participants to talk and chat. I have used Agora's web SDK for video broadcasting, and Socket.IO for chat features. As I read the comparison between Amazon Chime and WebRTC, it further intrigues me on what I should use given my scenario? Is there any way that so many related technologies could be a hindrance to the other? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Ritwik Neema

463k views463k

Comments

Detailed Comparison

OpenTok	WebRTC
It adds the clarity and emotion of face-to-face communication to your brand whether you're developing for the web, iOS, or Android. We make the integration of high-quality live video a breeze so that you can focus on building a great product.	It is a free, open project that enables web browsers with Real-Time Communications (RTC) capabilities via simple JavaScript APIs. The WebRTC components have been optimized to best serve this purpose.
Layout control- Create layouts that complement your content and empower your application's experience;Peer-to-peer calls- Take advantage of peer-to-peer calling for better quality and lower- latency 1:1 scenarios;Archiving- Download or save calls for future playback with this extension to the OpenTok platform;Multi-party calls- Bring small groups together for business or social gatherings using face-to-face video;Moderation- Tame the wild-west nature of social video with OpenTok's moderation functionality;Broadcast- Create a virtual stage and invite an audience of thousands to join you.	-
Statistics
Stacks 60	Stacks 322
Followers 159	Followers 538
Votes 8	Votes 6
Pros & Cons
Pros 6 Video Archiving to s3 2 Easy setup	Pros 3 OpenSource 2 No Download 1 You can write anything around it, because it's a protoc

What are some alternatives to OpenTok, WebRTC?

Discord

Discord is a modern free voice & text chat app for groups of gamers. Our resilient Erlang backend running on the cloud has built in DDoS protection with automatic server failover.

Skype

Skype’s text, voice and video make it simple to share experiences with the people that matter to you, wherever they are.

Twilio

Twilio offers developers a powerful API for phone services to make and receive phone calls, and send and receive text messages. Their product allows programmers to more easily integrate various communication methods into their software and programs.

Zoom

Zoom unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, and cross platform group chat into one easy-to-use platform. Our solution offers the best video, audio, and screen-sharing experience across Zoom Rooms, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and H.323/SIP room systems.

Google Meet

It is the business-oriented version of Google's Hangouts platform and is suitable for businesses of all sizes. It allows users to dial in phone numbers to access meetings, thus enabling users with slow internet connection to call in.

Chat by Stream

Chat API and SDK. With a beautiful UI Kit, easy to use React Components and powerful API. Add Chat to any application in a matter of hours. The tech uses Go, RocksDB and Raft. By the creators of Stream, the API that powers activity feeds for more than 300 million users.

Jitsi

Jitsi (acquired by 8x8) is a set of open-source projects that allows you to easily build and deploy secure videoconferencing solutions. At the heart of Jitsi are Jitsi Videobridge and Jitsi Meet, which let you have conferences on the internet, while other projects in the community enable other features such as audio, dial-in, recording, and simulcasting.

SendBird

SendBird is a Messaging SDK, Chat API, and fully managed chat infrastructure for your mobile apps and websites. Embeddable chat for iOS, Android, JavaScript, Unity, .NET.

Nexmo

Nexmo connects your apps directly to carriers around the world. Integrate SMS and Voice messages using one simple API. Use Nexmo Verity to register users, verify transactions, and implement two factor authentication.

Sinch

Sinch makes it easy for developers to add voice, messaging and SMS to their apps with just a few lines of code. Enrich your apps with communications that your users will love.

Related Comparisons

OpenTok vs WebRTC: What are the differences?

Infrastructure and architecture: One key difference between OpenTok and WebRTC is their infrastructure and architecture. WebRTC is a set of API and protocols that enables real-time communication directly between browsers. It requires developers to set up and manage their own infrastructure, such as signaling servers and media servers, for a complete communication solution. OpenTok, on the other hand, provides a cloud-based infrastructure that takes care of the signaling, media routing, and recording, making it easier for developers to integrate real-time communication into their applications.
Scalability and reach: WebRTC is a scalable technology that allows communication between two or more peers directly in the browser. However, when it comes to large-scale applications with multiple participants or when dealing with network limitations, the burden of managing the scalability and quality of service falls on the developer. OpenTok, on the other hand, provides built-in scalability and quality of service features like automatic fallbacks, adaptive bitrate controls, and support for large numbers of participants. It ensures a consistent experience across different network conditions and devices.
Cross-platform support: While WebRTC provides support for real-time communication in web browsers, it may have limited support on certain platforms or older versions of browsers. OpenTok, on the other hand, offers SDKs and APIs that extend the reach of WebRTC technology to mobile platforms like iOS and Android. It allows developers to create applications that can be used on a wide range of devices and platforms, ensuring a consistent experience for users.
Developer tools and resources: WebRTC provides a set of APIs and protocols that developers can use to build real-time communication applications. However, it lacks some higher-level features and tools that can simplify the development process. OpenTok offers a range of developer tools and resources, such as SDKs, client libraries, code samples, and comprehensive documentation, that enable developers to quickly integrate real-time communication into their applications. It provides higher-level abstractions and features like session management, archiving, and moderation controls, making it easier for developers to build robust and feature-rich applications.
Security and compliance: WebRTC does not provide built-in security mechanisms for real-time communication. It is up to the developer to implement appropriate security measures like encryption and authentication. OpenTok, on the other hand, provides a secure and compliant platform for real-time communication. It offers features like end-to-end encryption, authentication, and moderation controls to ensure the privacy and security of the users' communication data.
Support and maintenance: WebRTC is an open-source project, which means it relies on community support for bug fixes, updates, and maintenance. OpenTok, being a commercial platform, provides dedicated support and maintenance services to its customers. It ensures regular updates, bug fixes, and support for its platform, reducing the burden on developers and ensuring a stable and reliable real-time communication experience.

OpenTok vs WebRTC

Overview