Mobile app market has gained a huge popularity in the recent years. The reason behind this could be the features that are added to your smartphones. Whether it is built-in or downloaded features, people are getting attracted to them. Currently, there are a few features such as – video calling, audio, text messaging etc that support localized experience.
Video chat is something that people always love doing. The users can stay connected with their family members and friends, even if they are staying thousands of miles away from them. The adoption of video chatting grew steadily due to the advent of more bandwidth and better video chat apps. There are plenty of web based video apps that allow users to see the person they are speaking with.
What is video chat API/SDK?
Video Chat API is a video audio integration tool that makes your device capable of using real-time video chat. The API provides a technical infrastructure to set up video communication.There are many voice integration tools that can be integrated into mobile app for communication. Usually, these are available in the form of API and SDK that makes it easier to embed video call into a mobile app.
How Video Chat works?
The video communication will happen between two clients over Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP). It work using internet through a series of protocols. Video chat service that is connected to the internet is capable of sending request to the receiving device. Once the person receives the call, the audio and video sent to the device are encoded — which is sent back to the other device. Video chatting can continue for extended period of time, if the process is repeatedcontinuously.
Video chat API can be used to direct video calls, file sharing and audio calls. It will help the communication process go in a smooth way. Video chatting has been there for long time and new technologies have been coming up in front of mobile app developers. If you want to develop the bet quality video app, you should first know about different types of APIs. You can achieve the best result in creating the top rated video chat app.
Top video chat APIs
Want to build the best video chatting app? In that case, you need some extra tools and APIs.API is the acronym for “application program interface” that enables access to third party application. Your video chatting app should comprise of group calling, end-to-end encryption, video call preview, screen sharing, smart presentation sharing etc.
The features of your video chat mobile app should depend on the target audience, and not personal assumptions. Some of the popular video calling apps are coupled with text messaging, animations, edits and custom filters.
WebRTC is an open source technology that makes it easier for developers to create video chat applications that need AV streaming. WebRTC allow users to connect peer-to-peer and dive into ultimate video calling experience. The full package of WebRTC includes – data streaming, P2P, video and audio codecs, etc. The P2P mechanism in WebRTC provides connectivity via STUN to generate network topology route.
WebRTC is a great API for mobile app development, as the basics of video calling are simplified. The majority of video chatting apps are built using WebRTC API. There is a plethora of useful apps that are built using WebRTC, especially if you are considering developing video chat app on Android or iOS.
The cost of building a video chat app using WebRTC will depend on the features you want to add. Different features of the video chatting app can be priced differently. If you want to create simple design for your app, it might cost you around $25,000. Based on the features, it can go up to $80,000.
There are various mobile APIs that help you build the best video chatting app. some of the popular video chat APIs/SDKs are as below –
- Pubnub
Developing video chat mobile app is not an easy task. You should learn about video codes, signaling and features of the video chat app. PubNub has partnered with WebRTC to build video chat app in an easy way. The WebRTC framework will power video, audio and data communication between multiple browsers. The PubNub library comes with ‘Presence’ feature to see who is online/offline.
The infrastructure of PubNub API will allow developers to build innovative and powerful chat apps that are highly reliable and encompasses enterprise-grade security.
- CometChat
CometChat APIallows mobile app developers to integrate video chat features into app with REST protocol. Developers can create, remove or update users within the application. The Restful API makes the entire process of video calling hassle free and helps you manage CometChat on any platform. CometChat provides the best chat solution for your app that helps you grow your client base exponentially.
The key features of CometChat are – seamless integration, highly scalable, runs on any server and works everywhere. These features makeCometChat a must for every video chat app. Use CometChat on your mobile app, as it works well on every platform.
- Twilio
Twilio is a cloud communication platform that is ideal for building voice and video based apps on API for global scale. It allows mobile app developers to make and receive phone calls using video chat APIs. It supports development of open source apps that allow businesses to configure phone numbers to route phone calls. Twilio API has been designed in such a way that it is simple, reliable and well-documented. A couple of lines in the code can trigger video calls.
Twilio also provides a web service called ‘In the Cloud’ that enables developers to integrate real-time phone calls into the apps. In short, Twilio API integration is the best way to develop business by leveraging telephone system in a cost-effective way.
- Quickblox
If you want to use ready-to-go modules such as push notifications and video calling, Quickblox is the best option. Quickblox API allows developers to build their own video chat app with ease. It enables real-time chat, push notifications and audio calling from the end user. The company sells various communication tools to app builders.
Quickblox is used by dozens of social networking apps and enterprises. They are simple to integrate and take benefit from the ever changing internet communication technology. Quickblox also provides features like – content settings, ratings, users, location etc.
- Sinch
Sinch provides the best video chat API that enriches your app with voice, video, verification and real time communication APIs. It gives mobile app developers an excellent way to add communication in their app. The platform also let developers integrate voice into their app in no time using a few lines of code. For optimum audio quality and video selection, Sinch uses an adaptive codec selection and WebRTC API.
Developers can now add video call to anywhere in the world from your mobile app with Sinch SDK. You can pay as you grow and there are no hidden charges.Sinch provides an SDK for mobile app developers for Android and iOS. The platform is based on VOIP and WebRTC to power the products.
- TokBox
TokBox makes it easier to embed high-quality video and voice into mobile and web apps. Start building the best video chat app using TokBox API or add plug-and-play video to your website in minutes. The OpenTok library of TokBox provides the core functionality of your app, such as – connecting to the session, publishing stream to session and subscribing to streams in session.
TokBox is one of those companies to fully bet on WebRTC, in-browser video and text chat. It provides a variety of tools to deliver enterprise grade WebRTC through OpenTok video platform. It is based on simple Java API and allows developers to place live video chat windows on apps easily. With OpenTok, developers will get an opportunity to develop the most interactive and engaging mobile experience for users.
Conclusion
Video calling has become an easier thing these days. To make or receive video call, you need an app. There are plenty of mobile apps available for this. Video calling is streaming both audio and video inputs between two or more end users. It is possible to develop the best video calling app using the best API. There are many video chat APIs that provide mobile apps with real time communication (RTC).
There are many companies such as – PubNub, TokBox, Sinch, Quickblox and Twilio whose source code can be integrated with third-party APIs like – WebRTC, Restful, and JavaScript etc. There are many technologies for developing video chat apps and the most demanding is WebRTC. The majority of companies provide the most comprehensive solution to communicate cross-platform.