Agora Interactive Live Streaming vs Amazon Interactive Video Service
Agora Interactive Live Streaming
agora.io
Amazon Interactive Video Service
aws.amazon.comSide by side
| Figure | Agora Interactive Live Streaming | Amazon Interactive Video Service |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.99/mo | $0.07/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 19 | 12 |
| Spec score · Live TV streaming services | 8.9 (#12) | 9.2 (#4) |
| Spec score · Live Streaming Software | 8.8 (#14) | 9.2 (#4) |
| Spec score · Live streaming software | 8.8 (#14) | 9.2 (#4) |
| Spec score · Video APIs | 9.0 (#4) | 9.3 (#1) |
| Spec score · Video Platform as a Service (VPaaS) Software | 9.1 (#3) | 9.4 (#1) |
| Collaboration | Features include screen sharing, interactive whiteboards, multi-user video layouts, and real-time messaging. | A stage lets multiple hosts exchange audio and video in real time and can be broadcast to an IVS channel for a larger audience. |
| Founded | 2013 | 2006 |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Scale | Agora says its network covers 200+ countries and streams can be shared across up to four channels for co-host modes and competitions. | AWS says IVS channels can scale to streams watched by millions of concurrent viewers. |
| SDK platforms | The RTC SDK page lists Android, iOS, React Native, Flutter, Web, ReactJS, Electron, Windows, macOS, Unity, and Unreal Engine. | Broadcast SDKs support iOS, Android, and web, while the Player SDK supports playback on web, iOS, and Android. |
| Security | Agora’s compliance page describes token-based identity and access controls, AES128/256 or customer-provided encryption, and regional network geo-fencing. | AWS describes IVS security as a shared responsibility, with AWS responsible for cloud infrastructure and customers responsible for security in the cloud according to their service use and requirements. |
Plans
Agora Interactive Live Streaming
- FreeFree
- Audio only$0.99 a month
- Video HD$3.99 a month
- Video Full HD$8.99 a month
- Video 2K$15.99 a month
- Video 2K+$35.99 a month
- Starter prepaid bundle$45.99 a month
- Pro prepaid bundle$133.99 a month
- Business prepaid bundle$339.99 a month
- FreeFree
Amazon Interactive Video Service
- Basic channel input$0.20 a month
- Advanced SD channel input$0.50 a month
- Advanced HD channel input$0.85 a month
- Standard channel input$2 a month
- Real-Time Streaming participant hours$0.07 a month
- Free TierFree
- Basic channel inputPriced on request
- Advanced SD inputPriced on request
- Standard Multitrack inputPriced on request
- Advanced HD inputPriced on request
In their own words
Agora Interactive Live Streaming
Agora Interactive Live Streaming is a video API for embedding real-time calls and low-latency live streams in web, mobile, and native apps. Hosts can invite audience members on camera, while participants use chat, reactions, and virtual gifts. Collaboration tools include screen sharing, interactive whiteboards, multi-user layouts, and real-time messaging. Agora describes video up to 4K/60fps and audio up to 192 kbps; its network covers more than 200 countries, and streams can be shared across up to four channels. Recording options include cloud, on-premise, and webpage recording for audio, video, and web pages. Developers can use a customizable SDK, a no-code App Builder, or low-code UI Kit libraries. SDKs are listed for Android, iOS, React Native, Flutter, web, ReactJS, Electron, Windows, macOS, Unity, and Unreal Engine. The free plan includes 10,000 participant minutes. Usage-based plans include Audio only at $0.99 a month and Video HD at $3.99 a month. Named use cases include social live streaming, events, education, retail, and telehealth.
Amazon Interactive Video Service
Amazon Interactive Video Service is a paid managed service for delivering live video through low-latency or real-time streams. AWS lists real-time latency below 300 milliseconds and low-latency delivery at 3–5 seconds. Real-time streaming accepts RTMPS and WHIP input with WebRTC output; low-latency streaming accepts RTMPS and SRT input with HLS output. Chat and timed-metadata APIs support features such as polls, graphics, and synchronized elements. A stage allows multiple hosts to exchange audio and video, then broadcast to an IVS channel. Standard and advanced channels can transcode video into multiple resolutions and bitrates. Streams can be recorded to customer-owned Amazon S3 for archiving and on-demand playback, with MediaConvert support. AWS says channels can serve millions of concurrent viewers. SDKs cover web, iOS, and Android. Listed input plans start at $0.20 a month, and a Free Tier is available for new AWS customers.