WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is an open-source project that enables real-time communication capabilities within web browsers and mobile applications through simple APIs. It facilitates direct peer-to-peer communication, eliminating the need for intermediary servers to relay data. Key benefits include reduced latency, lower server costs, and a more seamless user experience. WebRTC supports various standards and protocols to ensure secure and efficient communication, such as NAT traversal and codec support. It is popular due to its real-time peer-to-peer communication without plugins, browser compatibility, and end-to-end encryption for data, audio, and video streams.