WebRTC Embedded

Comparing WebRTC with Other Real-Time Communication Protocols

3 min read

May 11, 2023

Whether it's connecting with loved ones, collaborating with colleagues, or engaging with customers, the need for seamless and efficient communication is paramount. Traditional communication protocols have served us well. But, with the emergence of WebRTC, a new era of real-time communication has dawned upon us.

Table of Contents

Features of the Ideal Protocol
Comparison Of WebRTC With Other Real-Time Communication Protocols
RTMP vs. WebRTC
WebRTC vs. RTPL
HLS vs. WebRTC
Websocket vs. webRTC
Why Digital Samba Makes Sense

Here, we take a deep dive into why WebRTC is the ideal communication protocol and compare it to other popular solutions.

Features of the ideal protocol

The ideal RTC protocol must possess several features to ensure an optimal user experience. These include:

Compatibility and support

The chosen protocol must be compatible with the existing hardware and software environment. Additionally, it should be able to integrate well with other protocols within the system. And, a reliable customer support system should be in place to assist when needed.

Latency

A low latency rate ensures that data can be transferred quickly between two endpoints, thus providing a smooth and seamless user experience.

Scalability

Ensure the protocol can handle large volumes of data being transferred at any given time. Check if your chosen protocol can scale up or down the system to cater to different usage levels.

Security

Security features should also be taken into consideration when selecting a protocol. This includes encryption and authentication mechanisms to ensure data can be securely transferred between two endpoints.

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Use as ingest protocol

The protocol should be able to accept data from external sources, such as webcams or microphones, and process this data for use within the system.

Use as delivery protocol

The protocol should also be able to transmit data across the network, allowing users to receive and consume the information in real time.

Organizations can ensure an optimal user experience while keeping their networks secure by considering all these features when selecting a Real-Time Communications protocol.

Comparison of WebRTC with other real-time communication protocols

WebRTC is one of the most popular real-time communication protocols due to its low latency and high scalability. It supports both audio and video streaming, as well as data transmission for file sharing. It also offers secure encryption and authentication options to ensure that data can be securely transferred across networks.

WebRTC is a W3C standard, it is widely supported by modern browsers and allows audio and video data to be transmitted directly among web pages.

Let's compare WebRTC with other existing real-time communication protocols:

WebRTC vs. RTMP

In comparison to RTMP, WebRTC offers much lower latency and higher scalability. It also supports data transmission in both directions, allowing for real-time interactivity between two endpoints.

Protocols	Compatibility & Support	Latency	Scalability	Security	Ingest Protocol	Delivery Protocol
WebRTC	High	Low	High	High	Yes	Yes
RTMP	Moderate	Very Low	Medium	Moderate	No	Yes

WebRTC vs. RTPL

RTPL does not offer encryption or authentication options. Whereas, WebRTC can handle higher data throughputs, providing a smoother user experience with less latency and buffering. WebRTC also supports bi-directional audio and video streaming, allowing for more interactive conversations between two endpoints.

Protocols	Compatibility & Support	Latency	Scalability	Security	Ingest Protocol	Delivery Protocol
WebRTC	High	Low	High	High	Yes	Yes
RTPL	Moderate	Low	High	Low	No	Yes

WebRTC vs. HLS

Compared to HLS, WebRTC provides a more efficient approach to streaming audio and video content. It can offer lower latencies than HLS and handle large numbers of concurrent users.

Protocols	Compatibility & Support	Latency	Scalability	Security	Ingest Protocol	Delivery Protocol
WebRTC	High	Low	High	High	Yes	Yes
HLS	Low	Medium	Low	Moderate	No	Yes

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Websocket vs. WebRTC

In contrast to WebSocket, WebRTC offers a much more reliable approach when it comes to real-time communication. There is less overhead with WebRTC as the data is handled directly between two endpoints, whereas with WebSocket, an intermediate server needs to be considered.

Protocols	Compatibility & Support	Latency	Scalability	Security	Ingest Protocol	Delivery Protocol
WebRTC	High	Low	High	High	Yes	Yes
WebSocket	High	Low	High	High	Yes	Yes

Why Digital Samba makes sense

Digital Samba is an encrypted, GDPR-compliant, and end-to-end solution for real-time communication. Our WebRTC video API is fully optimized for low latency, high scalability, and security. With the Digital Samba platform, you can quickly and easily set up audio or video streaming with minimal effort. The platform also provides many features, such as integration with existing hardware and software, user authentication, encryption, and more.

Get your hands on our WebRTC Video API today, and start streaming audio or video in seconds with minimal effort.