10 Best Live Streaming SDKs in 2024

Live streaming has become a key part of online content. Many apps and websites now offer live video features. To add live streaming, developers need special tools called SDKs. These SDKs help create smooth, high-quality live video experiences. In 2024, there are many great video streaming SDKs to choose from. This article looks at the top 10 options available this year. We'll cover their main features, benefits, and what makes each one stand out. Whether you're building a social media app or a virtual event platform, this guide will help you find the right SDK for your project.

Best 10 Video Streaming SDKS for App Integration

Choosing the right live streaming SDK in 2024 can be overwhelming with so many options available. We've researched the top contenders to help you make the best choice for your project. Here are the best live streaming SDKs in 2024:

1. ZEGOCLOUD

ZEGOCLOUD shines when you need lightning-fast video in your app. Their technology cuts video delay down to just 70 milliseconds—that's faster than the blink of an eye. This makes it perfect for live game streaming, where every second counts. Developers love that they can add video calls with just a few lines of code. We also offer Android and iOS video streaming SDKs for a more optimized streaming experience.

The SDK stands out with AI features. Say goodbye to messy backgrounds; it can blur or replace them in real-time, making even a bedroom look like a professional studio. It also has face beautification that subtly enhances appearances without looking fake. For business users, there's automatic meeting transcription and real-time translation in 10+ languages.

One impressive feature is its ability to handle huge events. You can host virtual concerts or conferences with up to 50,000 people watching and still keep everything running smoothly. Plus, it automatically adjusts video quality based on each user's internet speed, so everyone gets the best possible experience.

What you get:

• Ultra-fast video that's ready for gaming (70 ms latency).
• Powerful live and video streaming SDKs and APIs.
• AI-powered background removal and face enhancement.
• Live transcription and multi-language translation.
• Can host events with up to 50,000 viewers.
• Works on phones, tablets, and computers.
• Great battery optimization tools.

**Pricing: **Voice calls cost $0.59 for every 1,000 minutes. Video calls cost $3.99 for every 1,000 minutes.

2. Agora

Agora is the globetrotter of live streaming APIs. They have servers in over 200 countries and can reroute video data through up to 500 different paths to find the fastest connection. This means whether you're video calling from New York to Singapore or streaming from Sydney to Seoul, the quality stays crystal clear.

Their special sauce is how they handle bad internet. If someone's connection gets weak, Agora doesn't just lower the video quality—it predicts and fills in missing frames, keeping movement smooth. For gamers and VR apps, they offer spatial audio that can place sounds in 3D space—imagine hearing footsteps coming from behind in a virtual world.

Agora key features:

• Global network that reaches every corner of the world.
• 3D audio positioning for immersive experiences.
• Real-time analytics dashboard for monitoring.
• Special features for music and gaming apps.
• Can switch between front and back cameras without interruption.

**Pricing: **Pay as you go—$0.004 per minute for each person in the call.

3. Mux

Think of Mux as the "make it simple" video platform. While other live streaming APIs and SDKs might hand you a toolbox full of complex gadgets, Mux gives you a simple remote control that just works. Their claim to fame? You can add video streaming to your app with just five lines of code.

For developers who love data, Mux is a goldmine. Their analytics don't just tell you how many people watched—they show you exactly where viewers drop off, which devices they use, and even how long it takes your video to start playing. They've also mastered the art of processing videos quickly. Upload a video, and within seconds, it's ready to stream in multiple formats and qualities.

Key features:

• Add video to your app with just 5 lines of code.
• Videos automatically adjust quality for each viewer.
• Detailed viewer behavior analytics.
• Lightning-fast video processing.
• Automatic thumbnails and preview images.
• Live streaming that can record simultaneously.

*Pricing: *$0.005 per minute to stream videos, $0.01 per minute to process them.

4. Vonage

Vonage isn't just another video SDK; it's a complete communications powerhouse. Born from the telecommunications world, it brings carrier-grade reliability to video streaming. This means your video calls are treated with the same importance as emergency phone calls, making it a go-to choice for healthcare apps and critical business communications.

What sets Vonage apart is its obsession with customization. Want to limit video bandwidth for cost savings? You can do that. Need to adjust frame rates for smooth movement in a sports app? Just tweak a setting. They even let you control the exact resolution of every stream, so you can prioritize face clarity in a telemedicine app or full-body movement for fitness classes.

Their archiving feature is a game changer for educational and training applications. Every video session can be automatically recorded, transcribed, and stored securely in the cloud. These archives are searchable by spoken words, making it easy to find specific moments in long recordings. For international businesses, Vonage offers automatic subtitle generation in 40+ languages during live streams.

Vonage key features:

• Telecommunications-grade reliability.
• Precise control over video quality and bandwidth.
• Automatic recording with searchable transcripts.
• Live translation and subtitles in 40+ languages.
• Integrates seamlessly with phone and SMS systems.
• Advanced security features, including end-to-end encryption.

**Pricing: **Video calls cost $0.00395 per minute.

5. 100ms

100ms was built by developers who were frustrated with how complex video streaming could be. Their solution? An SDK that's both powerful and surprisingly easy to use. They've created pre-built "rooms" for different use cases—virtual classrooms, webinars, live game shows—that you can implement with just a few clicks.https://signal.org/download/linux/

Their standout feature is dynamic video layout management. In a virtual classroom, for instance, the teacher's video can automatically enlarge when they're speaking, then shrink when a student asks a question. For fitness apps, they offer AI-powered pose detection that can analyze workout forms in real-time. They've even thought about the small details—like automatically muting users when they join a large event.

Network resilience is where 100ms truly shines. They use a technology called SVC (Scalable Video Coding) that breaks video into layers. If someone's internet struggles, the system doesn't just lower quality—it seamlessly drops higher layers while keeping core video intact. This means even on poor connections, you'll still see smooth movement, just with slightly less detail.

100ms key features:

• Pre-built templates for different video use cases.
• AI-powered pose detection for fitness apps.
• Automatic video layout adjustments based on who's speaking.
• Advanced network handling for consistent quality.
• Built-in chat features synced with video.
• Detailed analytics, including "Network Quality Score."

Pricing: $0.004 per minute for each person in the call.

6. VideoSDK

VideoSDK is the Swiss Army knife of video streaming tools. It comes with multi-streaming—the ability to broadcast to multiple platforms simultaneously. Imagine streaming your content to YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Live all at once, without any extra work on your part. This makes it a favorite for marketers and content creators who want to maximize their reach.

They've mastered the art of engagement with their interactive features. Hosts can create live polls, launch quizzes, or even initiate a "raise hand" feature for Q&A sessions. Their virtual background technology doesn't just offer static images; you can use videos as backgrounds, perfect for virtual events that want to create immersive experiences. They've even built in virtual reaction effects, letting viewers send animated emojis that appear on screen.

VideoSDK standout features:

• Stream to multiple platforms simultaneously.
• Interactive features like polls, quizzes, and virtual reactions.
• Video backgrounds and professional recording.
• Both ready-to-use and fully customizable components.
• Automated speech-to-text captions in real-time.
• Low-latency streaming (200-300 ms).

Pricing: Speakers pay $0.003 per minute, viewers pay $0.0015 per minute.

7. Brightcove

If video streaming platforms were cars, Brightcove would be a luxury SUV—powerful, packed with features, and built for serious business use. It's the choice of major broadcasters and enterprises who need industrial-strength video capabilities. Their platform handles everything from live streaming a breaking news event to managing thousands of on-demand training videos for global corporations.

What sets Brightcove apart is its content management system (CMS). Imagine having a virtual video library where every clip is automatically tagged, transcribed, and made searchable. Their AI can watch your videos and generate tags based on what it sees—people, objects, even specific actions. For e-learning platforms, it can automatically create chapters and thumbnails, making it easy to navigate long videos.

Security is where Brightcove really flexes its enterprise muscles. They offer DRM (Digital Rights Management) that's used by Hollywood studios, ensuring your content can't be pirated. Their dynamic delivery system is clever too; it can detect if a viewer is in a region where your content shouldn't be shown and automatically block access. For internal corporate communications, they provide SSO (Single Sign-On) integration and IP-restricted viewing.

What you get:

• AI-powered video tags and searchability.
• Hollywood-grade content protection.
• Automated video chaptering and navigation.
• Geographic content restrictions.
• Integration with major enterprise systems.
• 24/7 dedicated support for business customers.

Pricing: Custom pricing based on usage and enterprise needs, typically starting at enterprise-level budgets.

8. Streamaxia

Streamaxia is the mad scientist of video streaming SDKs, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible with mobile broadcasting. Their claim to fame? They've figured out how to do high-quality live streaming with incredibly low battery drain. While other SDKs might turn your phone into a hand warmer, Streamaxia keeps things cool and efficient.

Their augmented reality features are where things get really interesting. You can overlay 3D objects onto your live stream, add real-time face filters, or even create interactive AR games where viewers can participate. For sports broadcasters, they've developed smart overlays that can display live statistics or replay key moments without interrupting the mainstream.

Streamaxia's flexibility is a developer's dream. Unlike some SDKs that lock you into their ecosystem, Streamaxia plays nice with any RTMP server or CDN. They've even built in support for older devices and operating systems, ensuring your app can reach the widest possible audience. Their encoding technology is adaptable too; it can switch between hardware and software encoding on the fly, ensuring optimal performance across different devices.

Streamaxia features:

• Battery-efficient mobile broadcasting
• Interactive AR features for live streams
• Compatible with any streaming server
• Support for older devices and systems

**Pricing: **One-time payment of $637.16, which includes all future updates.

9. GetStream

GetStream is the social butterfly of video streaming SDKs, designed to make video a natural part of online communities. While some platforms focus on just delivering video, GetStream builds a whole social ecosystem around it. Imagine combining the video capabilities of Zoom with the social features of Twitter or Reddit—that's what GetStream enables.

Developers love GetStream for its extensibility. Want to add a tipping system to your live streams? There's an API for that. Need to create custom interactive overlays? They've got you covered. They've even thought about analytics from a social perspective—you can track not just views but engagement metrics like chat activity, reaction patterns, and viewer retention across different types of content.

GetStream key features:

• Full social platform features integrated with video.
• AI-powered content moderation for video and chat.
• Extensible API for custom features.
• Deep analytics for social engagement.
• Synchronized chat with advanced features.
• Tools for building end-to-end social video apps.

**Pricing: **Starts at $0.00285 per minute for storage, $0.0017 per minute for delivery. Social features may have additional costs.

10. Vimeo

Vimeo has evolved from a video hosting site to a sophisticated video streaming platform for developers. Their SDK is designed with content creators and marketers in mind, offering tools that go beyond just playing videos. Think of it as YouTube for businesses, but with the ability to integrate directly into your apps and websites.

Their monetization tools are particularly impressive. Want to sell access to your videos? Vimeo handles everything from payment processing to viewer access management. They've even built in marketing tools—you can capture leads directly through your video player or A/B test different thumbnails to see which gets more clicks. For subscription services, they offer detailed analytics on subscriber behavior, helping you understand what content keeps people paying.

Vimeo's player technology is top-notch. Their adaptive streaming doesn't just adjust quality; it can predict network changes and pre-adjust, ensuring smooth playback even on unstable connections. They've also mastered the art of player customization. Want your video player to match your brand perfectly? You can customize everything from colors to controls, even adding custom buttons for specific actions like downloading resources or linking to products.

What you get:

• Complete video monetization system.
• Marketing tools built into the video player.
• Predictive adaptive streaming.
• Fully customizable player interface.
• Integration with major marketing platforms.
• Privacy features for internal company use.

Pricing: Starts at $20 per month for basic plans, with custom enterprise pricing available for larger needs.

Conclusion

Choosing the right live streaming SDK can make or break your video project in 2024. Each platform we've covered offers unique strengths, from ZEGOCLOUD's lightning-fast latency to Vimeo's marketing tools. For gaming and real-time interaction, ZEGOCLOUD leads the pack. If you need enterprise-grade features, Brightcove is your best bet. For social integration, GetStream shines brightest. Consider your specific needs: budget, scalability, features, and technical requirements. Start with free trials when available, and test performance in real-world conditions. Remember, the best SDK isn't always the most expensive or feature-rich—it's the one that aligns perfectly with your project goals.