Yes. WebRTC requires encryption for both audio and video streams as part of the standard, unlike some older video protocols where encryption was optional.
Webinar Glossary
Web RTC
Web RTC is short for web real-time communications. It is an open framework that facilitates real-time interaction between any devices that support a web browser.
What is Web RTC?
Web RTC is short for web real-time communications. It is an open framework that facilitates real-time interaction between any devices that support a web browser. More than just for video and audio, Web RTC supports collaboration tools like whiteboards and can facilitate online gaming. Web RTC is the technology commonly used for many webinar and web conferencing software.
As the name suggests, Web RTC provides communication with very low latency. Users can transfer files without having to use any additional infrastructure or plugins. It is a free open source project, meaning that anyone can use, modify, or distribute it.
Web RTC is used by Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, Livestorm, and many other applications.
Benefits of Web RTC
Web RTC makes it easy to collaborate in teams, share files quickly, and secure data. Finally, Web RTC makes communication more accessible. Some benefits of Web RTC are:
- Team collaboration
- Filesharing
- Data security
- Accessibility
Team collaboration
Team collaboration is easy with Web RTC as it relieves the need for clunky and outdated software. As a download-free communication option, teams can connect and call wherever they are. This bridges the gaps found in larger organizations, making communication more agile across departments.
Filesharing
Filesharing typically occurs when a source transfers a file to a server, which then sends those files to the end device. Web RTC still uses a server to establish a connection between devices, but once the connection is established files are able to be transferred quickly. No additional plugins or infrastructure is required to transfer files once the devices are connected.
Data security
Exchanges via Web RTC are encrypted by default, subject to the security imposed by the browser itself. Data transmitted via Web RTC is encrypted with a protocol called Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) that is built into all browsers that support Web RTC. This means that Web RTC data is end-to-end encrypted.
Accessibility
As a free and open-source technology, Web RTC is accessible for users and developers alike. Any device that can access a web browser can connect with Web RTC, making it cheaper for end-users to communicate. From a developer’s perspective, the sky is the limit for potential innovation.
How does WebRTC work?
WebRTC establishes a direct peer-to-peer (or server-relayed, for larger groups) connection between browsers using three building blocks: getUserMedia to capture camera and microphone input, RTCPeerConnection to encode, transmit, and decode audio/video between peers, and RTCDataChannel for lower-latency data like chat messages. Unlike RTMP, which is built for one-directional broadcast streaming, WebRTC is designed for sub-second, bidirectional latency — which is why it underlies most modern webinar software’s live video, not just video-calling apps.
Because it’s a native browser standard rather than a plugin, WebRTC works out of the box in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari without requiring attendees to install anything — one of the main reasons browser-based webinar platforms replaced older, download-required conferencing tools.
Editorial & methodology — Written and reviewed by the Livestorm content team, based on first-party product experience and platform documentation. Last updated: July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WebRTC encrypted by default?
Is WebRTC free to use?
Yes, WebRTC itself is an open, royalty-free standard. Any cost comes from the platform or infrastructure built on top of it, not the technology itself.
Do all browsers support WebRTC equally?
Mostly. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all support it natively, though older browser versions may have partial support.
Is WebRTC the same thing as a webinar platform?
No. WebRTC is the underlying technology that enables real-time audio and video in the browser. A webinar platform is the full product built on top of it, adding registration, engagement tools, and analytics.
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