The Zoom Video SDK (Software Development Kit) is a set of tools and resources provided by Zoom API that allows developers to integrate Zoom’s video conferencing capabilities into their applications or platforms.

The Video SDK enables sessions with the capacity for up to 1,000 users to participate. These sessions can also be live-streamed using the RTMP protocol, allowing for an unlimited number of viewers in a view-only capacity.

On June 5, 2023, Zoom released a new version of the Zoom Video SDK for the web. This version includes several new features, such as support for WebAssembly, embedded views, and webhooks.

For more information about the latest news about Zoom Video SDK, you can visit the Zoom API Documentation. By the end of this guide, you will be able to integrate Zoom Video SDK into your website or app and start using video conferencing to communicate with your users.

What Are The Zoom Video SDK Alternatives?

Several alternatives to the Zoom Video SDK offer similar functionality for video conferencing and online communication. Here are some popular options:

1. Twilio Video: Twilio Video provides a robust API and SDK for embedding video, voice, and messaging capabilities into web and mobile applications. Twilio Video SDK uses Chromium WebRTC 83. This means that the SDK will be able to take advantage of the latest WebRTC features and bug fixes by default when using the Opus codec and support WebView on iOS 14.3 and onward.

Pricing: Video P2P starts at $2.25

2. Microsoft Teams SDK: Microsoft Teams video SDK API, updated in June 2023, allows developers to use the video SDK API to create apps to collaborate in real-time. New video effects include blur, zoom, and background replacement. These effects can be used to improve the look and feel of video calls, and they can also be used to add fun and creative touches. The Video Conferencing Quality feature that will allow users to see how well their video is being received will be available in the Microsoft Teams desktop app in the coming months.

Pricing: The standard license price is $4.00 per month., whereas the premium license is $12.50 per user per month.

3. Google Meet API: Google Meet is Google’s video conferencing platform, and it offers an API for integrating video calling functionality into applications. The latest update feature of Google’s Meet video API is the ability to add captions addCaptions() method in the Meet video API. There are two APIs available in Google Meet; one for co-watching (CoWatchingClient) and the other for general co-doing activities (CoDoingClient).

Pricing: Calls per month Up to 2 million are $3.00, whereas Unlimited Calls are $1.50.

4. Jitsi Meet API: Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing solution that provides an API for embedding video calling capabilities into applications. It offers features like multi-party video conferencing, screen sharing, and chat. Jitsi Meet is known for its ease of use and privacy features, as it allows you to host your video conferencing server.

Pricing: The Jitsi Meet API is completely free to use for both personal and commercial purposes. There are no hidden fees or charges.

5. Agora Video SDK: Agora.io provides a Video SDK that enables developers to integrate video conferencing and audio communication into their applications. It offers features such as low-latency streaming, cross-platform support, and interactive broadcasting. Agora’s latest release, released in the first quarter of 2023, includes support for spatial audio, improved noise suppression, and whiteboards. 

Pricing: Starts at $3.99/1,000 minutes

The Pros And Cons Of SDK Technology 

Software development kits (SDKs) are a set of tools and libraries that allow developers to build applications on a specific platform or with a specific programming language. SDKs can provide a variety of benefits, including:

• Speed and efficiency: SDKs can help developers save time and effort by providing pre-built code and functionality. This can shorten the development cycle and allow developers to focus on more creative aspects of the project.
• Accuracy and reliability: SDKs are typically developed by experienced engineers and tested thoroughly, which can help to ensure that the resulting applications are accurate and reliable.
• Ease of use: SDKs are typically designed to be easy to use, even for developers with limited experience. This can make it easier for developers to get started and build high-quality applications.

However, SDKs also have some potential drawbacks, including:

• Limited flexibility: SDKs are typically designed to be used in a specific way, which can limit the flexibility of the resulting applications.
• Dependency on third parties: SDKs are often developed and maintained by third parties, which can introduce a security risk.
• Cost: SDKs can be expensive, especially if they are developed by a well-known company.

How to Integrate Zoom Video SDK in Website or App?

The Video SDK offers a comprehensive range of services including video, audio, screen sharing, chat, data streams, and more. The Video SDK is equipped with a complete set of server-side APIs and webhooks, specifically designed for platforms such as iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.

1. Minimum SDK version 

Zoom enforces a mandatory minimum version for each SDK every quarter, ensuring that only versions above the minimum are allowed to access Zoom’s latest security features and functionalities. To learn more about the SDK minimum version policy, please refer to the provided documentation. The updates are scheduled to occur during the first weekend of November, February, May, and August. For further information, you can review Zoom’s SDK minimum version policy.

2. Zoom Developer Account

To develop the Zoom Video SDK, it is necessary to have a Zoom Video SDK account. To create your account, please visit the Video SDK website, click on “Buy Now,” and follow the provided steps to set up your account.

Zoom API pricing is based on the number of API calls you make and the features you use. There are three pricing plans:

• Basic: This plan is free for all Zoom users. It includes 100,000 API calls per month and access to basic features such as creating and joining meetings, managing users, and sending invitations.

• Standard: This plan costs $100 per month and includes 1 million API calls per month. It also includes access to additional features such as recording meetings, streaming meetings, and using the Zoom developer API to build a custom integration with the website.

• Enterprise: This plan is priced on a custom basis and includes unlimited API calls and access to all Zoom API features.

• The Zoom Pro plan costs $14.99 per month per license or $149.90 per year per license.

Zoom Video SDK accounts are separate and cannot be combined with Zoom user accounts; existing users need a different email address (e.g., with a “+” sign subaddress), but master accounts can set up Video SDK accounts as sub-accounts.

3. Get Video SDK credentials

To obtain Video SDK credentials, log in to your Zoom Video SDK account on the Zoom App Marketplace.

The Zoom App Market place is a collection of third-party apps and integrations that can be used to enhance Zoom meetings and webinars. There are over 2,500 apps available in the marketplace, covering a wide range of categories.

Navigate to the “Develop” section, select “Build App,” and click on “Create” for the Video SDK app type. Once the Video SDK app setup is done, access the “App Credentials” section to locate your Video SDK credentials, which should be used for authorization purposes.

Suggested Read: How Can You Build Your Own Instacart Clone App in 2023?

4. Create a Video SDK app

Information Section: Please provide the name of your app and the contact name and email address of the developer. Updates regarding the Video SDK will be sent to the provided email address.

Download Section: Access the Download section to download the Zoom in Video App SDK for each platform.

Video SDK and API Credentials: A Zoom Video SDK app includes two sets of credentials:

• Video SDK Key and Secret: These credentials are used to authorize the usage of the Video SDK.
• Video SDK API Key and Secret: Video Zoom API Key requests require authorization through an encrypted JSON Web Token (JWT) as the request header bearer token, with recommended token expiry set within one hour for enhanced security, generated with Header, Payload, and Signature components.

Please refer to the provided code for more detailed information.

Video SDK Webhooks: Enable Webhooks by toggling the Event Subscription to receive Video SDK events as HTTP POST requests, allowing you to track events, build business logic, and trigger actions like sending a thank you email when a Video SDK session ends.

5. Authorization

Authorize Zoom Video SDKs using JSON Web Tokens (JWT) generated with your Video SDK app credentials to enable session starting and joining. Only your Video SDK account has permission to join and start sessions, ensuring exclusive access and preventing other Video SDK accounts from joining. Please note that the Video SDK is unable to join Zoom meetings or webinars. 

Generate a Video SDK JWT: To begin, obtain your credentials for the Video SDK. Next, generate a JSON Web Token (JWT) for the Video SDK. This JWT will be used to authenticate every request for starting or joining a session in the Zoom Video SDK. It is recommended to generate this JWT securely and store it alongside your Video SDK credentials, such as within a backend (server-side) function.

For a demonstration of how to swiftly, conveniently, and securely generate a Video SDK JWT, refer to the Video SDK Auth Endpoint Sample application.

Next, pick a platform, then start and join Zoom Video SDK sessions!

Closing Thoughts

Zoom is a powerful video conferencing platform that can be easily integrated into websites and web applications. The Zoom Web SDK makes it simple to add video conferencing functionality to your website, and the Zoom App SDK makes it easy to add video conferencing functionality to your web application.

The process of integrating the Zoom Video SDK can be complex, but there are many resources available to help you get started.

That’s why we offer comprehensive documentation, step-by-step tutorials, and dedicated support to assist you every step of the way. Our team of experts is ready to answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on integrating Zoom Video SDK and unlocking the power of seamless video conferencing for your users.