Streaming quality video content requires a reliable and feature-rich software development kit. Besides, developers can integrate live video capabilities into apps and platforms with the right tools. Similarly, choosing the best option depends on factors like latency, scalability, interactive features, and ease of integration. Moreover, as technology advances, newer live-streaming SDKs offer improved performance and better video compression. Therefore, this guide explores the best available options, highlighting their features.
Part 1. What is Video Live Streaming SDK?
Developers need specialized tools to embed live streaming capabilities into apps and platforms. An SDK or API for video streaming provides essential components to make the process easier. Additionally, these include live video encoding, adaptive bitrate streaming, and low-latency transmission. Moreover, in place of building live streaming functionality from scratch, developers can integrate these SDKs for an effortless experience.
Thus, many such options support cloud-based delivery and interactive features. Furthermore, businesses use them for webinars, gaming, social media, and virtual events. Alongside advancements in video technology, modern SDKs ensure smooth streaming and better compression. Additionally, their minimal buffering also makes them essential for quality real-time video experiences.
Part 2. 10 Best Video Live Streaming SDKs & APIs in 2025
Finding the right solution for integrating live streaming features into an app or platform requires careful consideration. Therefore, various SDKs and APIs offer advanced capabilities such as low latency, adaptive streaming, and interactive tools. Explored below are the top ten options when it comes to opting for a video live-streaming API:
1. ZEGOCLOUD
Offering comprehensive streaming APIs, it enables developers to integrate interactive live streaming into applications effortlessly. Plus, its support for various features like real-time video encoding and low-latency transmission ensures an effortless user experience. Developers can also extend the SDK with additional functionalities to enhance audience engagement. With cross-platform compatibility, ZEGOCLOUD's SDK caters to both mobile and web applications.
Key Features
Adaptive bitrate streaming at low latency
Virtual gifting support
Co-hosting capabilities
PK battle features
AI effects integration
Customizable UI components
Super-resolution with quality monitoring
Face beautification and RTMP support
Pricing
Starts at $3.99/1,000 participant minutes
2. VideoSDK
Developers seeking to integrate real-time audio and video capabilities into their applications can utilize VideoSDK, a versatile solution. This platform supports various frameworks to enable effortless integration of video streaming API across multiple platforms. Additionally, it provides prebuilt templates for quick deployment and fully customizable options for tailored implementations.
Key Features
Global latency under 80ms
Supports up to 100,000 interactive participants
Prebuilt templates for rapid integration
Secure JWT authentication
In-built event handling for state changes
Pricing
Starts at $0.0015/viewer-minute
3. Agora
Supporting a robust Interactive Live Streaming SDK, Agora enables developers to embed real-time video streaming into apps with very low latency. This one supports both one-to-many and many-to-many streaming scenarios, facilitating interactive experiences for audiences. With global scalability, Agora also ensures consistent performance across diverse network conditions.
Key Features
Real-time audience engagement tools
AI-powered noise suppression, along with spatial audio
Comprehensive analytics dashboard and wide compatibility
Interactive whiteboard support with screen-sharing prowess
Cloud recording capabilities at ultra-low latency
Pricing
Starts at $3.99 per 1,000 minutes
4. Mux
Those aiming to integrate live streaming into their applications can leverage Mux's API for video streaming. It simplifies the process of delivering quality and low-latency video content. Moreover, this API supports effortless broadcasting using the RTMP protocol, which is compatible with most broadcasting software and hardware.
Key Features
Low-latency streaming with 5 seconds delay
Simulcasting to multiple platforms with ease
Automatic recording of live streams on the cloud
Data-driven encoding for optimal quality
DVR functionality for live streams
Pricing
Starting at $0.00096/min
5. api.video
Known for providing effortless live streaming services with low latency, this option is a great choice for developers. Moreover, the streaming API offered by api.video supports customizable video players to enhance user engagement. Additionally, the platform offers analytics tools to monitor and optimize streaming performance.
Key Features
Secure streaming protocols with cross-platform SDKs
Adaptive bitrate streaming and automatic cloud recording
Scalable infrastructure, along with simulcasting support
Geo-Restriction feature to block streams
Concurrent Viewer (CCV) Aggregation to track stats
Pricing
Starts at \$0.0017/minute
6. AWS IVS
Amazon Interactive Video Service offers a managed live streaming SDK designed for developers to integrate real-time video into apps effortlessly. With the IVS Broadcast SDK, users can also capture and stream video content with minimal latency. Furthermore, the service automatically adjusts video bitrate to accommodate changing network conditions.
Key Features
High-quality streaming up to 720p
Low-latency streaming under 300ms
Real-time metadata injection
Integration with AWS services
Stream chat integration with secure protocols
Pricing
Starts at $2.00 per hour
7. 100ms
A dynamic video live streaming API designed to facilitate easy integration, it is a popular choice among developers. This platform works for a lot of use cases, ranging from virtual events and live commerce to large classrooms. Besides, developers can benefit from pre-built templates and AI features to streamline the deployment process.
Key Features
Pre-built templates for diverse video applications
AI-powered pose detection for fitness apps
Automatic video layout adjustments
Customizable user roles and permissions
Effortless external streaming to social platforms
Pricing
Starts at $0.0012/min per viewer
8. Dacast
With a comprehensive live streaming SDK, it enables developers to integrate quality video streaming into their apps. Plus, Dacast supports both live streaming and VOD services to cater to various broadcasting needs. Moreover, it provides robust security features to protect content and offers detailed analytics for performance monitoring.
Key Features
White-label customization for branding
Secure video delivery with password protection
Monetization options, including pay-per-view
Adaptive bitrate streaming for optimal quality
Mobile SDKs for iOS and Android platforms
Pricing
Starts at $39/month
9. Wowza
Its streaming API solutions include the Wowza Video JavaScript SDK for real-time streaming at scale. Furthermore, Wowza enables developers to embed real-time video broadcasting and playback capabilities into web apps. Plus, this platform supports use cases ranging from live events to video conferencing to offer flexibility and scalability.
Key Features
Real-time streaming with sub-second latency
Comprehensive developer documentation
Integration with Wowza's streaming infrastructure
Scalability to support large audiences
Customizable player interface
Pricing
Starts at $2.50 per streaming hour
10. Vonage
When it comes to effortlessly integrating interactive live streaming into applications, Vonage's Video streaming API is a great choice. Moreover, this platform supports a lot of AI features and cross-platform SDKs for web, mobile, and desktop. Additionally, its detailed documentation facilitates developers to integrate secure features into their projects with ease.
Key Features
Supports up to 15,000 real-time participants
Unlimited viewers via HLS and RTMP streams
AI-powered tools like Audio Connector
Media Processor for content transformation
Customizable video layouts with secure streaming protocols
Pricing
Starts at $0.0725/session minute
Part 3. How to Integrate Live Streaming to Your Website/APP?
Setting up an effortless live streaming experience is something that becomes a lot easier when you have chosen the right service. Described below are the steps needed to do when you opt for ZEGOCLOUD streaming APIs:
Step 1. Head to the ZEGOCLOUD website to “Login” and access the admin console. Once signed in, click the “+” button to create a new project from scratch.
Step 2. Now, choose “Live Streaming” to activate the API, then press “Next” to proceed. After that, enter a project name, select “Start with UIKits,” and wait for the initialization to complete.
Step 3. Once the setup is done, select “For Android,” “For Web,” or any preferred platform. Next, open the quick settings panel on the right to make modifications and press “Save & Start to Integrate” to conclude.
Conclusion
In summary, integrating live streaming into your website or app has never been easier with the right SDK. From interactive features to effortless scalability, choosing a powerful solution ensures a quality experience.
Among the top options, ZEGOCLOUD stands out with its developer-friendly tools, real-time engagement features, and smooth integration process. When looking for a reliable and efficient live streaming SDK, ZEGOCLOUD is the perfect choice to get started.
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