About LiveKit
Build AI-driven voice/video applications with LiveKit's scalable infrastructure. Features sub-100ms latency, WebRTC support, real-time analytics, and global edge network for multimodal experiences.
Overview
- Realtime Communication Platform: LiveKit is an open-source WebRTC infrastructure enabling developers to embed scalable video/voice conferencing and data streaming capabilities into web/mobile apps.
- Multimodal AI Integration: Supports building intelligent agents using frameworks that combine voice/video processing with LLMs like ChatGPT for conversational interfaces and automated workflows.
- Global Edge Network: Operates a distributed infrastructure optimized for low-latency media routing across 200+ regions using SFU architecture and TURN/STUN protocols.
Use Cases
- Enterprise Video Conferencing: Host large-scale virtual events with adaptive bitrate streaming and speaker detection for optimized participant engagement.
- AI Customer Service Agents: Deploy voice-enabled chatbots handling inbound calls using natural language processing integrated via LiveKit's API endpoints.
- Live Broadcasting: Stream content globally via RTMP/WHIP ingress while recording sessions locally or to cloud storage using Egress API.
- Realtime Translation Services: Process multilingual audio streams through AI models to provide synchronized subtitles during international meetings.
Key Features
- Selective Forwarding Unit (SFU): Dynamically routes media streams to minimize bandwidth usage while maintaining HD quality through simulcast and SVC codecs (VP9/AV1).
- Agents Framework: Python/Node.js SDKs for creating stateful AI participants handling real-time transcription/translation/video analysis via WebRTC connections.
- Usage-Based Pricing Model: Charges $0.0005/min connection fee + $0.12/GB bandwidth (post-Feb 2025), with free upstream data and volume discounts.
- Cross-Platform SDKs: Prebuilt components for iOS/Android/Flutter/web apps with end-to-end encryption and selective subscription controls.
Final Recommendation
- Recommended for Developers Needing Customizable RTC: Ideal for teams requiring granular control over media workflows via open-source components and programmable agents.
- Optimal for AI-Driven Applications: Suits projects integrating multimodal interactions (voice/video/text) with enterprise-grade latency under 500ms.
- Cost-Effective for Variable Usage: Transparent per-minute/per-GB pricing benefits startups scaling from MVP to high-traffic deployments without upfront commitments.
