Livekit vs Agora: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Livekit and Agora comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Livekit
Scalable real-time audio and video infrastructure for developers
Best for you if:
- • You need cloud & infrastructure features specifically
- • LiveKit is an open-source WebRTC platform for real-time video and audio
- • It provides infrastructure for building video conferencing and streaming apps
Agora
Real-time voice and video engagement for immersive digital experiences.
Best for you if:
- • You need video & media features specifically
- • Integrates real-time voice and video into applications.
- • Offers a Conversational AI Engine for natural AI speech interaction.
| At a Glance |  Livekit |  Agora |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $50/monthShip | Free tier + paid plansFree tier available |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | Video & Media |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Livekit or Agora?
Choose Livekit if
Scalable real-time audio and video infrastructure for developers
- Open source WebRTC
- Good performance
- Self-hostable
- Your work is cloud & infrastructure-shaped, not video & media-shaped
Choose Agora if
Real-time voice and video engagement for immersive digital experiences.
- Enables highly natural and responsive AI voice interactions.
- Provides robust real-time communication with ultra-low latency.
- Offers extensive media services for recording and stream manipulation.
- Your work is video & media-shaped, not cloud & infrastructure-shaped
| Feature | Livekit | Agora |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.8/5 325 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureDeveloper Tools | Video & MediaCommunication |
In-Depth Analysis
Livekit
Scalable real-time audio and video infrastructure for developers
Strengths
- +Open source WebRTC
- +Good performance
- +Self-hostable
- +Good documentation
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -Setup complexity
- -Cloud pricing
- -Resource intensive
- -Enterprise features paid
Key features
Agora
Real-time voice and video engagement for immersive digital experiences.
Strengths
- +Enables highly natural and responsive AI voice interactions.
- +Provides robust real-time communication with ultra-low latency.
- +Offers extensive media services for recording and stream manipulation.
- +Supports a wide range of platforms and integration options.
- +Includes compliance features for data privacy and security.
Weaknesses
- -Specific pricing details are not immediately transparent without engagement.
- -Requires development effort to integrate APIs into existing applications.
Key features
Pricing: Livekit vs Agora
| Plan | Livekit | Agora |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Build | N/A |
| Tier 2 | $50 month Ship | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $500 month Scale | N/A |
| Tier 4 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Livekit pricing and Agora pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Livekit
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Livekit
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Livekit
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Livekit is a cloud & infrastructure tool. Agora is in video & media. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Livekit
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Agora
- Better fit for video & media
The Bottom Line
Livekit is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Livekit or Agora better?
Livekit is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Livekit and Agora used for?
Livekit: Scalable real-time audio and video infrastructure for developers. Agora: Real-time voice and video engagement for immersive digital experiences..
What does Livekit cost vs Agora?
Livekit is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Agora is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.