20 March, 2023
webrtc for chat app

Build WebRTC Signalling Video & Voice Chat Application for Web/Mobile With MirrorFly

“WebRTC is Popularizing in the Global Market and estimated to grow at a CAGR of 34.37% with rocketing the marketing value of about $ 300 Billion”

Earlier when Flash technology and licensing codecs were used in high mode by businesses all around, soon saw its doomsday when WebRTC came into existence post the technical revolutionization. True indeed, because WebRTC is a big bundle of open-source frameworks used greatly to build Zoom-like and Skype-like apps on both the web and mobile. 

Plus, with this technology, app developers can enable high-quality and low-latency connections between browsers without the need for plugins or software.  But is it really that easy to use, as what we know from a couple of years back, creating a web chat application was relatively a solid strain for developers, so will WebRTC make the development process simpler and quicker? 

Well, the answer to this and a lot more will be discussed in the blog post below. We shall also focus on the basics of WebRTC, its APIs, implementing video and voice chat with WebRTC, and the different servers behind its functioning. 

How Does MirrorFly Bring Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) To You?

MirrorFly, a Superlative Chat app solution delivers an impeccable video/voice call enabled chat application using WebRTC. The emergence and popularity of WebRTC have created immense potentiality of browsers to deliver and tackle peer-to-peer communication through video and audio calls in real-time.

WebRTC was built in a great accordance to the developers which provides the ability to deliver High pixel-rate audio and live video call apps using Javascript APIs. Though MirrorFly is enabled with in-built WebRTC signaling which in result slashes the pay-for-what-you-use pricing methodologies completely.

Browser & Mobile signaling in WebRTC

Desktop:

Chrome, Firefox, Opera

Mobile:

Android & iOS support

Build-webrtc-video-chat-app

Before getting into the building of a real-time WebRTC video chat app, let us be clear in identifying the functional dependencies to be used to build WebRTC Android/iOS and Web chat App.

Thorough WebRTC Library:

A Complete WebRTC peer-to-peer native code package is required for every developer who wishes to integrate WebRTC for browsers and WebRTC API for Android chat app development.

jQuery:

jQuery is used to handle the event, manipulation and simpler the HTML with the easy to use of APIs that works on several browsers.

Semantic UI CSS:

A framework used to contrive responsive layouts through human-friendly HTML with an elegant CSS framework that works on embellishing the user experience of the Chat Platform.

Handlebars:

A Compatible template provides the potential power to build semantic templates in HTML language that brings significant changes in the mobile devices to embed simple WebRTC messaging platform on Android and iOS platforms.

 

Apart from these dependencies, there are several frameworks and functionalities required to build a chat app for video and voice calling enabled with WebRTC.

 
Build your own WebRTC Video App with our API

How does Video/Audio Transmission of Chat Application takes place?

webrtc video call android

Initially, both the video and voice call depends on the potentiality of streaming media between two client server connected to each other. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is one of the most familiar and trusted standard techniques for voice and live video chat app over the Web.

As we are very much aware that, WebRTC is the significant implementation for streaming of media content from one client-server to another.

  • Signaling
  • STUN Server
  • TURN Server

Signaling – Peer to Peer Connection

Signaling Websockets are used to setup call connection between the client servers. The client connection must adapt to each other by sending messages, data and media over public IP address of both the clients webrtc signaling servers. To get the IP address, We use STUN Server.

STUN Server – Local IP Address

With the use of NAT (Network Address Translation) which provides the local IP address of the device to have peer to peer connection. To make this connection using WebRTC, we need to get the public IP address where STUN Server provides it.

TURN Server – Mediator

This server acts as a mediator to connect both the clients if case peer to peer fails. It sends data from one client to another over signaling process. This methodology works for webRTC video and Audio calls on android/iOS chat app and also for media to create support for the messaging applications.

If you are about to integrate WebRTC into your android/iOS chat app then probably you must have a clear idea on three WebRTC APIs which plays crucial in developing your WebRTC Video/Voice Chat on Android or iOS. Now, let us dig deeper into WebRTC APIs.

Also Read: WebRTC FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

A Comprehensive Insight into WebRTC APIs for iOS/Android Chat Application

MediaStream:

This allows you to obtain the access over the camera, screen or microphone of the device used by the user. It also provides additional layers as a security where it only allows access if the user is connecting from an (HTTP) secure connection which allows the user to stream their entire media library. This getUserMedia have three parameters namely:

  • A Constraints object
  • A Success Callback method
  • A Failure Callback Method

RTCPeerConnection:

This webrtc allows the user to communicate directly to have a peer-to-peer connection in order with the transcoding of the media files. It encodes and decodes the entire media content and voice/video chat that is sent to the remote server and from your local machine in receiving your media files.

RTCDataChannel:

It helps in transferring the data directly between the two peer users connected in a bi-directional data channel. This also helps in creating a secure connection to send data at a real-time function.

Some of the Highlights that includes in implementing the Interface:

Text Communication:

This allows the user to communicate over text in a real-time chat experience on all the Webrtc audio and video-enabled iOS/Android chat apps.

Voice Communication:

Based on Voice-over IP technology in real-time over the Internet through Chat Application. Low latency is carried to make 1 to 1 or 1 to many webrtc voice chat app connections across all the devices.

Video Communication:

Video Connection helps in making quality webrtc enabled video and audio calls on android/iOS chat apps continuously at low latency. With adaptive bitrate which reduces the complexity of video/audio chat at a high pixel rate.

Conclusion

These methodologies are quite bewildering right! To make this more compatible and easier, MirrorFly is inbuilt with all these technologies and features embedded with WebRTC that in resultant to deliver a highly successful WebRTC enabled Voice/Video Chat App that runs seamlessly on iOS/Android and Web browsers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a WebRTC video?

WebRTC (Web Real-time Communication) video is a technology that enables web-based applications to establish P2P audio/video connections and data transfer between browsers without the need for plugins or any third-party software. Moreover, WebRTC video uses Javascript APIs to seamlessly deliver high-quality, and low latent video and audio streams between web browsers thus making it an ideal choice for building video conferencing, live streaming, and other use cases. 

Is WebRTC good for video calls?

Yes. WebRTC has proved to be the best and most widely adopted protocol for building real-time communication apps with video calling capabilities. It currently uses advanced video codecs to deliver low latent and high-quality video calls even under unstable network connectivity, and help an engineer build everything from a reliable video chat to an enterprise-level communication solution. 

How does WebRTC video call work?

WebRTC (Web Real-time Communication) is an open-source protocol that enables data transfer and real-time communication between browsers and devices using Javascript APIs.

Here’s how WebRTC video call works:
– The first step is establishing a P2P connection across browsers using an SDP protocol that allows for data exchange in video, voice, or chat format.
– Next, the browsers start to gather ICE candidates that help browsers to connect with peers. 
– As peers are located on a private IP network, WebRTC uses NAT traversal for browsers to reach each other.
– Finally, P2P moves across a relay TURN server and starts transmitting data.

Does WebRTC support chat functionality?

Yes. WebRTC does support chat functionality in addition to voice and video capabilities. With the WebRTC protocol, developers can easily build real-time communication apps, and add features like file sharing and screen sharing without installing any plugins or third-party software. Above this, the protocol is also compatible with all major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera. 

What is the role of WebRTC in VoIP?

WebRTC is just an extension of VoIP that makes video and audio calling, messaging, and P2P file transfer between mobile apps or web browsers seamlessly possible. It uses Javascript API to directly establish real-time communication between web browsers without the need to download any plugins or software.

What is the difference between VoIP and WebRTC?

WebRTC can be seen as an extension of VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) or a means to carry out VoIP. However, the real difference between the two is the underlying technology. VoIP uses a central server to route video/audio calls while WebRTC uses P2P architecture for establishing a connection. Secondly, VoIP requires the need of plugins whereas WebRTC enables real-time communication between browsers without any software or plugins installed. 

Masilamani Murugan leads the Digital Marketing team at CONTUS. He is interested in strategic planning for digital marketing initiatives. He loves to be fit and is a workout freak.

56 Comments

    1. Masi Post author Reply

      For Video: VP8, VP9, H.264
      For Audio: Opus, Vorbis, PCMU, PCMA

      Further any query regarding WebRTC audio / Video chat development. Please feel free to ask.

    1. Masi Post author Reply

      It provides a simple JavaScript API that supports WebRTC capable browsers and a plug-in for Safari and IE.

  1. Koushi Reply

    I am working on a iOS 10 app with the functionality of p2p video chat just like Skype. I surfing on search engine, there is no libraries for iOS 10 native?

    So, then I decided to go with WebRTC. How can I
    create a video chat native iOS client with the use of these libraries?

    1. Masi Post author Reply

      An old version of Internet Explorer & safari(MacOS default) has support in flash only. Now they integrate WebRTC into their browsers. Just update your browsers & let’s try.

    1. Masi Post author Reply

      SimpleWebRTC — the WebRTC library
      Semantic UI CSS — an elegant CSS framework
      jQuery — used for selecting elements on the page and event handling.
      Handlebars — a JavaScript templating library, which we’ll use to generate HTML for the messages
      Express — NodeJS server.

    1. Masi Post author Reply

      An old one, Using Flash and proprietary codecs. Currently, video call technology has transformed and Flash is no longer required.

      Now WebRTC maintained by top browsers like Google, Mozilla, Opera etc. WebRTC allows you to easily build real-time communication among the browser and is being standardized at the W3C & IETF levels. Using WebRTC, you can build real-time video chat applications that actually work well!

    1. Masi Post author Reply

      Yes Alisha, Contus Fly WebRTC Solution supports all cross-platform communications in Android, iOS & Web.

        1. Masi Post author Reply

          That’s only I point out in the previous comment about cross-platform communication. A VOIP functionality purpose is to call from app to landline or application to web etc..

    1. Masi Post author Reply

      WebSocket is a protocol which bases on HTTP, so you can send or receive any data via WebSocket. But WebSocket cannot capture video data.

          1. Masi Post author

            Of course, you need a signal server to exchange SDP for WebRTC. You can use WebSocket to build the signal server.

    1. Masi Post author Reply

      Encryption is mandatory for all WebRTC components, and its JavaScript APIs can only be used from secure HTTPS or localhost. Signaling mechanisms aren’t defined by WebRTC standards, so it’s up to you make sure to use secure protocols like a firewall (TURN server).

        1. Masi Post author Reply

          You can use WSS which make WebSocket more secure, of course, you can choose WS to build a WebSocket connection. WebRTC is base on DTLS, so it is more secure. You must use WebRTC via https or WSS, or it rejects to run.

  2. Nachiketa Reply

    we are doing a poc on video chat app (Android and ios). we are currently comparing voip service providers prices and sdk feature. Requesting you to provide pricing and flutter sdk documents.

  3. Prakash Saini Reply

    Hello,
    I need a webrtc with websocket chatroom which can stream video and audio to multiple people, An example of such software would be http://*******.com community chat 7 – Please let me know the cost of such service. P.S. I’m not a company although i do own my own servers.

  4. Avi Mayer Reply

    Hi,

    We are currently, a VoIP service provider. a couple of weeks back I contacted your team. I believe we are now in a position to move forward. am contacting you again for better understanding of your WebRTC capabilities, the MirrorFly services for voice (seems a new service from Contus). In brief, we are seeking solutions/services/technology partners to facilitate our transformation from a pure SIP trunking provider to Cloud communications company. Our primary focus is the voice (We might consider voice/chat later). At the same time, we are focusing on desktop applications (mobile is our secondary priority). We would like to offer our voice service as a integratable service to CRMs, standalone Click2call plugin. We would like to understand your solutions that could compliment and transform our services.

    Regards,
    Avi Mayer

  5. Nath Reply

    I want to make an app. This app will be an entertaining app based on video calls with people around the world who want to play the game. I do not want to add too much detail for security reasons. The camera has to be on the player at all times otherwise it will not work. Another thing, is there any way the camera could detect smoke? Is this something that can be made on this site? Please email back. Thank you, Heather

  6. Rajat Yadav Reply

    We want to check the feasibility and cost aspects of a new platform we are developing. Following are the high level requirements.
    Can you share the details of costing aspects. Also does this have any regional restrictions,
    1. Virtual seminar
    2. Up to eight people in a video call
    3. Organiser will be the person who is creating the session
    4. When he initates the call all the people will be able to pick up the call.
    5. Once recording is completed video will be downloaded

    Regards,
    Rajat

  7. Avi Mayer Reply

    I am *****.com. I need group video Callahan solution for the website. Please also let me know about pricing.

  8. Kaushik Reply

    We are looking for a chat API for our ******** Network App… just to give you a quick overview, we need all the features available in WhatsApp/Telegram and one more in particular that I’ll explain below.

    General features list:

    Private (one-on-one) & Public (group) chats End-to-end Encryption Push Notifications Text & Emojis Media sharing Location features: share real-time live location, specific places location (list & map view) Join/leave group channels Reply/forward messages Mute/unmute notifications Block/unblock users Search within chat Analytics White-label

    Specific feature:

    We noticed that when you share a specific place location in WhatsApp or Telegram, they use the “Foursquare API” to show a list of all the nearby places around you… we want this same feature but instead of sharing a place location, we want to redirect users to a public chat room of that specific place…

    Regards
    Kaushik

  9. Anas Kochi Reply

    I need video call from android to web connection with Webrtc technology. Kindly provide demo documentation so we can explore our code integration

  10. Deepanshu Reply

    I want to deploy a chat application similar to WeChat with webrtc infrastructure. What is exactly what you offer? Your web site doesn’t declare clearly what you do. By the way, your form doesn’t accept my e mail address so I’m using hotmail.

  11. KESHAV Reply

    I would like to integrate Mirrorfly API/SDK into an android/iOS/webapp for video calling with webrtc technology such as screen sharing, whiteboard and in-app messaging. Kindly help me to proceed further.

  12. ererere Reply

    We are a startup that is looking to provide video messaging capabilities within our messaging/social media app. We wanted to get an understanding of your pricing model/user and how we can integrate it within our current application.

  13. Mohammed Reply

    I want to develop an app with video call included, i am at the very beginning in app developing, what would be the cost of implementing your services?

  14. Rohit Reply

    i’m devolving a wEBRTC web application. This web app will have Voice, video and texting service for peer to peer. Are your API’s compatible with Dajngo? and what’s the cost details?

  15. Barath Reply

    We are currently building an app and are expected to complete development in the next two days. We would like to get your video calling API with webrtc technology.

  16. Digital Ankit Reply

    Dears,

    We are searching for a solution that can integrates voice capabilities with an existing app. We need a solution that explore different options: 1) Backend Voice options 2) frontend solutions In order to give you a clear picture we need to have a call in order for you to prepare a proposal with a list of features and quotations.

    Regards,
    Digital

  17. Jeganathan Reply

    Hello,
    I have a few question about your API. We are developing mobile applications for iOS and Android with Webrtc technology. And we want to integrate it to our app as video call and chat. We have a couple questions. Do you have any log system about the calls which users meet? or Do we record the call as video or audio? Can you give us a demo sample for IOS and Android for seeing useable on our apps? And the last one,

    what is the cost for video call(not conf) with/without chat?

    Thanks in advance.
    Have a good day

  18. qwertyuibvnbnmnm Reply

    Hi, i’m looking for chat platform that offers chat via video or audio too (webRTC) to integrate with my eCommerce. Then my customers can talk to a seller via vídeo, but this platform must work on ios and android as well as desktops (not a native app, still website on mobile)

  19. Ragu Pathi Reply

    We need to integrate voice,video and text chat into web and mobile platform. This should have one to one private sessions and also provide us with ease to share files over text chat sessions

  20. Sujai dev reddy Reply

    We have shortlisted this application for demo of video calling services to be integrated with our mobile app, please connect with us asap with a demo version

  21. Voip NZ Reply

    I was looking for this information relating to webrtc video and voice chat application…. You have really eased my work, loved your writing skill as well. Please keep sharing more such information! Looking forward to read more…

  22. andrius Reply

    Hello, we are interested in your Web RTC + SIP solution. Would be great to know more about the solution and pricing. All the best, Andrius

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