Understanding WebRTC Network Topology: Mesh vs SFU vs MCU

Building scalable real-time video applications means choosing the right WebRTC topology — Mesh, SFU, or MCU — for your use case.

Mesh connects peers directly, ideal for small group calls.

SFU (Selective Forwarding Unit) routes streams efficiently for larger conferences.

MCU (Multipoint Conferencing Unit) mixes all streams server-side for unified output.

Each has trade-offs in latency, bandwidth, and processing power — and understanding them is key to building a smooth, low-latency experience.

💡 Learn how each topology works, when to use it, and how Ant Media Server simplifies scalable WebRTC deployments →