Would you invest your hard-earned money in creating your own dedicated online meeting platform when you can just as easily import and integrate video conferencing API or SDK components onto your own website or app? 

Breakthroughs in technology and software development in the form of APIs and SDKs enable teams to drastically shorten their development cycles.

Video conferencing APIs, in particular, along with video conferencing SDKs, enable ordinary websites and apps to easily handle video calling features. 

So whether you want to get on a video call with partners or shareholders or host a webinar with your customers and buyers, such APIs and SDKs let you connect directly from your platform. 

With the ease-of-use capabilities and massive cost savings that video conferencing API integration produces, it’s a no-brainer that businesses are now starting to reconsider their investments. 

This particular video conferencing solution is appealing because you can custom import only the features you specifically need for your online meeting without having to navigate your way through complicated controls or logins. 

When you can pick and choose a handful of features, you can massively cut back on costs. 

Intrigued? Let’s first understand the two concepts that make importing video conferencing capabilities a breeze. 

We’ll demystify the terms API and SDK.

What is a video conferencing API and SDK?

What is an API? 

An application program interface or API is a software solution that enables communication between two applications.

Here’s an example.

The app on your phone connects via the Internet, sends information to the server, retrieves relevant data, assigns a necessary action, and sends the information back to your phone. 

For instance, when you crave something from the local deli, you’ll open a food-delivery app or visit the deli’s website, browse the online menu, select an item to order, and proceed to checkout. 

The process sounds simple enough, right? 

But in the backend, an API is hard at work: connecting your app to the website’s servers, placing the order, and letting the staff at the deli know that you have placed an order. 

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What is an SDK?

A software development kit or SDK is a set of software-building tools that developers use to build a custom app which can be added on, or connected to, another program.

SDKs allow developers to create apps for specific platforms, services, or languages. It has a collection of tools, including APIs, and offers tailor-made solutions for different industry requirements. 

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Explore how your business can benefit from video conferencing APIs or SDKs

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Video conferencing SDKs consist of tools, documents, code samples, and guides that allow developers to create apps on existing platforms.

An SDK complements an API to create specific programming modifications to standard models.

For instance, a video conferencing SDK could enable you to embed video calling or chatting capabilities into an application or increase the number of minutes on each video call. 

Video conferencing API and SDK capabilities include:

• Live streaming
• High-quality video 
• Customisable UIs or User Interfaces
• Screen sharing 
• Recording 
• Various web conferencing vs. video conferencing formats

With a video conferencing API or SDK, you can choose to have all or some of these features integrated into your business app or brand website and only pay for the features you use.

Also read: Video Conferencing APIs or SDKs — Are They Right For You?

How video conferencing API integration works

If you would like to integrate a video conferencing API or SDK into an existing app, it’s essential to check for the following: 

1) Credentials- You must have the appropriate credentials to use a video conferencing API or a specific video conferencing SDK before you can integrate it into your app. 

2) Server application- An API runs on an application server and uses third-party credentials to access features/services.

3) Testability- You’ll need to test the necessary web and mobile features. Check whether you can publish, capture, and execute data communication in real-time. 

How to integrate a video conferencing API into your website or an app

Video conferencing API integration is an uncomplicated process that gets the job done by powering your app with the exact features you need.

But here’s a word to the wise: Before integration, inspect the API for technical, privacy, and app safety features. 

HOW THE TELEBUJOIN API WORKS

Below is a step-by-step explanation of how to integrate the TelebuJoin video conferencing API and SDK into your existing app. 

STEP 1: SERVER INTEGRATION

We will import our REST API on your server with a programming language, such as PHP, Java, Node, Ruby, etc. 

Our platform will then authenticate the API keys from your account, so you can create chat rooms or audio-video sessions, generate unique tokens, and pass them on to your respective web or mobile users. 

STEP 2: CODE and TOKEN GENERATION

Developers can use the ready-made code and directly run it on their own site and mobile iOS or Android app. 

The client-side SDK retrieves the token from the server, connects to the room, brings up the audio-video screens, and allows subscription for server events.

STEP 3: CREATING a ROOM

All video conferencing calls occur inside a virtual room, where users can interact with each other using the core features: video calling, screen sharing, or hosting Q&As. 

All virtual meeting rooms are protected with a unique ID. The server-side code of the video conferencing API helps authenticate and generate these unique tokens that the audience uses to join the meeting directly on a browser, thanks to WebRTC technology. 

STEP 4: EVENTS

Once participants have joined the meeting, they will receive notifications, which are also called events, of new participants joining the call, audio-video streaming updates, muted audio, etc.

The participants can respond to these events using event listeners. 

How your business can benefit from integrating video conferencing APIs and SDKs

Few things in the business communication space are better than having your own video conferencing solution to meet your specific business standards and requirements.

Need convincing?

Here are the critical benefits of using programmable and customisable video conferencing solutions for your business: 

1. You get to pick and choose – With a video conferencing API, you can select the features you need and double down on them to meet your specific business requirements. 

For instance, if you have little use for the screen sharing feature, then you can just as easily leave that out.

Therefore, instead of buying all those video features, you will never use, you get to cherry-pick the ones you absolutely need.

2. You’ll benefit from increased personalisation – With increased personalisation in feature selection, you can make meetings more productive due to less lag and technical delays. 

Secondly, your customers will also find the tailor-made video conferencing API solutions easier to use, increasing their trust in your business. 

3. You can do more than just video conferencing– With programmable video conferencing solutions, you can repurpose and scale your video conferencing capabilities for online consultations, training, talent acquisitions, remote work management, and more. 

Top 5 secure video conferencing APIs & SDKs in the market 

Now that you know about the detailed process of integrating APIs and SDKs into your native site or app, it’s time to evaluate the best programmable video conferencing solutions for your business needs. 

While there are hundreds of video conferencing API and SDK options, we have handpicked those that stand out from the rest for their features.

1. TelebuJoin API

With the TelebuJoin API, your customers/audiences will not have to go through the hassle of connecting with a separate app. 

It uses Web-RTC technology, allowing users to connect seamlessly from any browser. 

The API is also a more secure way to host video calls since users remain on well-known and trusted browsers or platforms. 

Here is what else you can look forward to after integrating this video conferencing API into your own system:

• High-quality, interactive audio and video
• A pick of all the features you need
• The ability to design your own UI as per your brand’s needs and standards 
• The ability to host meetings on an encrypted cloud communication system 

2. Twilio

Twilio has an extensive worldwide reach, offering services in 180 countries to businesses of various sizes. It provides high-quality video conferencing across multiple browsers and devices. 

With its demo app, you will be able to test out features like speaker quality or network detection, browse documents, and choose the API functionalities of your choosing.

Some of Twilio’s video conferencing API features include:

• Live streaming/broadcasting 
• Workflow integration 
• Cross-platform performance 

3. Agora

Agora offers another video conferencing API that is mobile-friendly and compatible with several major platforms. 

With it, you can expect a stellar chat feature and a fully encrypted system security that can thwart any hacking attempt.  

Other features include:

• Noise cancellation 
• An interactive whiteboard 
• Live-streaming chat 
• Screen sharing 

4. EnableX

Enablex offers a minimalistic video conferencing API with features such as live voice, messaging, and video.

Though it doesn’t offer a lot in the way of features, it does, however, ensure a secure connection, so you can enjoy video meetings without worrying about security. 

It offers simple features, tools, and video conferencing SDKs to build your own custom video solutions. 

It has all the basic video conferencing features, including: 

• Host-controlled entry 
• End-to-end encryption 
• Floor access control
• Secure video calling

5. Vonage 

Vonage offers a video conferencing API known for video calls, telehealth appointments, remote learning, and more. 

With two-factor authentication, the app ensures your communication stays protected. It also allows you to connect with WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

Other features include: 

• Reports and analytics with your API functionality
• Event live streaming and breakout sessions
• Customer service interactions 

It’s time you built something with a video conferencing API

With all the information on video conferencing APIs and SDKs we’ve provided, you can quite easily build your customisable video solution and unleash your business potential. 

Since you are now familiar with integration, you should have a look at this guide about TelebuJoin’s video API to find out everything you need to know about building the kind of video experiences that people want and need.

Once you are ready, you can request a demo of TelebuJoin’s API or start your free trial.