What is LiveKit?

LiveKit is an advanced platform designed for creating real-time audio and video applications characterized by low latency and high scalability. It enables developers to build complex multimodal experiences by efficiently transmitting audio and video between large language models (LLMs) and end-users. Trusted by major companies such as Oracle, eBay, and OpenAI, LiveKit serves as a foundational tool for applications that demand strong real-time communication capabilities.

What Makes LiveKit Unique?

LiveKit stands out due to its global edge network, which ensures voice and video delivery in under 250 milliseconds worldwide. The platform is engineered for high concurrency, offering optimized infrastructure for ultra-low latency and exceptional resilience. Developers can leverage LiveKit’s specialized components, SDKs, and plugins to create applications that effectively simulate human conversation, manage interruptions, and facilitate turn-taking cues.

Key Features

• Enterprise-grade Security: LiveKit provides secure communication with end-to-end encryption and compliance with SOC2 Type 2, GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA standards.
• Advanced Audio Features: Noise and echo cancellation features are included to ensure clear audio quality.
• Session Recording and Storage: Users can record, compose, and store sessions in any S3-compatible cloud bucket.
• Stream Ingestion and Moderation: The platform supports various stream formats and offers moderation tools for user access control.
• Telemetry and Analytics: Real-time telemetry and analytics provide insights into session and user data, aiding developers in understanding user experiences and troubleshooting issues.

Pros & Cons Table

Who is Using LiveKit?

LiveKit is ideal for developers and organizations seeking to incorporate real-time communication into their applications. It serves a diverse range of industries, including:

• Developers: With SDK support across major platforms, developers can create applications using LiveKit’s client tailored for their preferred environment.
• Enterprises: Organizations needing scalable, secure, and reliable real-time communication solutions can utilize LiveKit’s enterprise-grade features.
• Tech Startups: Startups focused on innovative applications in AI, robotics, or live streaming can take advantage of LiveKit’s robust infrastructure and flexible pricing models.

Support Options

LiveKit offers various support options to assist users in effectively building and managing their applications:

• Community Support: Access help and advice from the LiveKit community.
• Email Support: Reach out to the LiveKit team for assistance via email, available in the Ship plan and above.
• Shared Slack Channel: Collaborate with the LiveKit team in a private Slack channel, included in the Enterprise plan.
• Designated Solutions Engineer and Support SLA: Available for Enterprise users, ensuring focused support and guaranteed response times.

Pricing

LiveKit provides a variety of plans designed to accommodate different project sizes, from hobby projects to enterprise-level applications:

• Build Plan: Free – 100 concurrent participants, 5,000 connection minutes, 50GB bandwidth, aggregate analytics, community support.
• Ship Plan: Starting at $50/month – 1,000 concurrent participants, 150,000 connection minutes, email support.
• Scale Plan: Starting at $500/month – Unlimited participants, 1.5M connection minutes, 3TB bandwidth, region pinning, HIPAA compliance.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom – Volume pricing, shared Slack channel, support SLA, on-premise support.

Please note that pricing information may not be up to date. For the most accurate and current pricing details, refer to the official LiveKit website.

Integrations and API

LiveKit supports a wide array of integrations, allowing developers to seamlessly connect and enhance their applications. The platform’s open-source nature provides the flexibility to self-host and integrate with various tools without vendor lock-in. Developers can access comprehensive SDKs for all major platforms, ensuring compatibility and ease of application development.

FAQ

For frequently asked questions regarding LiveKit, please refer to the official documentation or community forums for detailed answers and support.

Useful Links and Resources

• LiveKit Website
• LiveKit Documentation
• GitHub Repository
• LiveKit Blog
• Slack Community

These resources provide extensive information and support for developers and companies looking to leverage LiveKit’s capabilities in their real-time applications.