Year 2025 has arrived when real-time communication is no longer a luxury, it is a need. You might be building a video calling app, a remote-first organization or enhancing the customer support section; having the right communication tool can be a grand success or outright failure. WebRTC and Zoom can be the first two names in the list.

So how do you come to know which one is appropriate for your app or business?

So how does the process work? Let's bring it down to the most fundamental levels, even non-tech ones.

Contents Table

1. What is it in WebRTC?

2. So what is zoom?

3. WebRTC vs Zoom: The Differences Yet to Come

4. When WebRTC Should be applied

5. Time to Choose Zoom

6. App Developers WebRTC vs Zoom

7. Final Thoughts

1. What is it in WebRTC?

Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) is an open-source, royalty-free technology that allows real-time media (video, audio and data) communications via the web browser and mobile-app-without a plug-in.

Important Characteristics of WebRTC:

Peer-to-peer communication

Works within browsers and mobile apps

Completely customizable

Low latency voice and video calls

Great for integrating communication into your own platform

Common uses: video-conferencing apps, remote medicine, tutoring and call centers.

What is Zoom?

Zoom is a cloud video conferencing solution that is now a household name. It provides plug-and-play capabilities for meetings, webinars, and team collaboration—no coding needed.

Zoom Key Features:

Simple-to-use video conferencing

Supports thousands of participants

Embedded chat, screen share, and recording

Webinar hosting and team rooms

Enterprise secure and scalable

The applications: team meetings, webinars, virtual classrooms, enterprise video calls.

WebRTC vs zoom: major differences

Feature                                                       WebRTC                                                  Zoom

Setup                       Takes custom development                             Ready-to-use platform

Customization       Completely customizable                                                         Limited

Cost                         Free to use (self-hosted)                                       Paid plans required

Integration             Deep integration into apps                                   Basic integrations (via SDK/API)

Latency                   Lower latency (P2P)                                                Higher latency (cloud servers)

Security                  customizable 3rd-to-end encryption                      AES 256 bits encryption

When WebRTC Should be Usable

Use WebRTC when you are:

Have to add your own video calling option to your application

Require complete control over the user experience

Seek storage of low-latency and scalable peer-to-peer communication

Do not want long-term issue of licensing fees

Seeking a browser agnostic device independent open-source solution

Ideal programmers, startups, and SaaS companies.

When to Choose Zoom

Choose Zoom if you:

How do you need a fast video meeting solution?

Need some enterprise features such as webinars, breakout rooms, and cloud recording

Lack in house development resources

Seeking a solid, and reliable platform that millions are using?

Ideal to use in business, schools, and big teams.

WebRTC vs Zoom for App Developers

If you’re building an app or software solution, WebRTC offers:

Developer-friendly APIs

Connection with Back-end applications such as Node.js, Asterisk, OpenSIPS

Freedom to create unique user experiences

Potential to connect with SIP and VoIP platforms

Zoom does provide SDK, but it is less flexible and it is put more on embedding pre-built components.

Final Thoughts: Which of the two Best Fits Your Needs?

In case you are a business that needs a ready-made video conferencing tool, you should resort to Zoom.

However, when developing an app or when you intend to add real-time communication capabilities to your platform with more ferment and more control, WebRTC is a more sensible choice by 2025.