LiveKit Agents vs Retell AI

LiveKit Agents is an open source framework and cloud platform for building voice, video, and physical AI agents. Python or Node.js programs can join LiveKit rooms as realtime participants, and deployments can run on LiveKit Cloud or a developer-chosen environment. Agents can process realtime voice, video, and text input and produce output in any modality. The framework supports LLM tool use, frontend RPC calls, multi-agent handoffs, and connections to phone systems through native SIP. LiveKit Inference provides models from providers including OpenAI, Google, AssemblyAI, Deepgram, Cartesia, and ElevenLabs; open source plugins connect to other providers. LiveKit Cloud includes agent insights such as session replay, transcripts, trace spans, logs, and reports. The free Build plan includes 1,000 agent session minutes, five concurrent sessions, and one deployment. Ship starts at $50 a month and includes 5,000 minutes, then $0.01. LiveKit says prompts, audio, and completions handled by LiveKit Inference and its model providers are not logged or retained. It lists SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA / CPRA, and the EU–US Data Privacy Framework; PCI DSS and ISO 27001 are in progress.

Retell AI is a platform for building, deploying and managing AI agents that handle phone calls. Agents can also work through web and in-app chat, SMS and custom API-based communication. A visual canvas supports call flows with functions, integrations, transfers, DTMF, SMS and custom logic. Teams can simulate scenarios, turn production calls into regression tests and QA calls. Deployment options include inbound calls, outbound campaigns, web and SMS, including a website widget. Call handling includes IVR navigation, live monitoring and transfer or takeover by a person. The integrations directory names Twilio, GoHighLevel, HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier, Make, n8n and Google Workspace. The homepage lists HIPAA, SOC 2 Type II, GDPR and ISO 27001 compliance, along with SSO, personal information redaction and module-level role permissions. Enterprise on-premise deployment is available within a customer’s infrastructure. Pay as you go is listed at $0.07 a month, with voice agents priced at $0.07-$0.31 per minute, $10 in free credits and 20 concurrent calls included. Enterprise pricing is custom.