A Tale of Two Protocols: Comparing WebRTC against HLS for Live Streaming

This post compares two live streaming protocols, HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) and WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication). HLS is a widely used technology for streaming video content, including major events like Apple keynotes. However, it has variable latency, meaning viewers may experience different time delays while watching the same content. On the other hand, WebRTC eliminates this issue with its server-mediated approach and offers an end-to-end latency of 300ms. The post also discusses the tradeoffs between HLS and WebRTC in terms of adaptability, synchronization, scale, functionality, and cost. While HLS is more established and cost-effective for large audiences, WebRTC offers advantages like full-duplex communication, cross-viewer synchronization, and interactivity. The emergence of WebRTC CDNs has addressed the scalability challenge faced by WebRTC, making it a viable option for building shared live experiences. In conclusion, while HLS remains the go-to technology for large-scale live streaming, WebRTC's unique features make it an ideal choice for creating truly shared and interactive live experiences.