Agora Interactive Live Streaming
Real-time interactive live video with sub-second latency.
Ant Media Server
Ultra-low latency streaming engine supporting WebRTC, SRT, RTMP, HLS
A scalable media server delivering sub‑0.5 s WebRTC latency, adaptive bitrate, and multi‑protocol support for live broadcasting, telehealth, e‑learning, and interactive video applications.
Overview
Overview
Ant Media Server is a Java‑based media platform that provides sub‑0.5 second WebRTC latency while also supporting SRT, RTMP, RTSP, HLS, CMAF, and H.265/HEVC. It targets developers building real‑time video experiences such as telehealth consultations, virtual classrooms, live sports, and interactive auctions. The server offers adaptive‑bitrate streaming, recording, and token‑based security, with SDKs for iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter, Unity, and JavaScript.
Deployment
The product can be installed on‑premises via Linux scripts or deployed to cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) using 1‑click marketplace images, Docker containers, or Kubernetes manifests. Auto‑scaling guides and CloudFormation templates enable rapid scaling from a single classroom to a global live event.
Community & Enterprise
A free Community Edition provides core streaming capabilities, while an Enterprise Edition adds advanced features, professional support, and a 14‑day trial. Both editions are backed by an active GitHub community and documentation portal.
Highlights
Sub‑0.5 s WebRTC latency for real‑time interaction
Multi‑protocol support: WebRTC, SRT, RTMP, HLS, CMAF, RTSP
Adaptive bitrate streaming and on‑the‑fly transcoding
SDKs for iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter, Unity, JavaScript
Pros
- Ultra‑low latency enables interactive use cases
- Broad protocol list reduces need for multiple servers
- Scalable deployment options for cloud and on‑premises
- Active community and optional enterprise support
Considerations
- Enterprise features require paid license
- Initial configuration can be complex for beginners
- Resource‑intensive transcoding may need powerful hardware
- Documentation depth varies across protocols
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Fit guide
Great for
- Developers building telehealth or remote‑patient monitoring apps
- Educators needing live, low‑latency virtual classrooms
- Enterprises requiring secure, token‑based streaming
- Event organizers scaling from small streams to global broadcasts
Not ideal when
- Simple one‑off RTMP streaming without latency constraints
- Teams lacking DevOps resources for container/Kubernetes setup
- Projects that cannot allocate hardware for high‑quality transcoding
- Organizations that need only a free, fully featured solution without enterprise add‑ons
How teams use it
Telehealth video consultations
Doctors and patients interact with sub‑second video delay, preserving clinical workflow and patient privacy.
Live e‑learning classrooms
Instructors stream interactive lessons to hundreds of students with adaptive bitrate to accommodate varying network conditions.
Real‑time sports broadcasting
Viewers receive near‑live action feeds, enabling instant replays and interactive commentary.
Interactive auction platforms
Bidders see live product streams with minimal lag, allowing real‑time bidding decisions.
Tech snapshot
Java99%
Shell1%
Python1%
Frequently asked questions
What latency can I expect with WebRTC?
Ant Media Server typically delivers around 0.5 seconds end‑to‑end latency for WebRTC streams.
Is there a free version?
Yes, the Community Edition is free and includes core streaming protocols and basic features.
Can I run the server on Kubernetes?
The server provides Docker images and Helm charts for Kubernetes deployments, supporting auto‑scaling.
Which SDKs are available for client integration?
SDKs exist for iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter, Unity, and JavaScript.
How is security handled?
Security features include SSL/TLS, token authentication, IP filtering, and optional watermarking.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 4,614
- Watchers
- 4,614
- Forks
- 677
Repo age8 years old
Last commit2 days ago
Primary languageJava
Last synced yesterday