LiveKit Agents

LiveKit Agents is an open-source framework and cloud platform for developers building realtime voice, video, and physical AI agents. It suits teams comfortable with Python or Node.js that need control over deployment and live-media workflows. Its breadth is a strength, but this is a framework to build and operate—not a ready-made assistant.

Overview

Agents join LiveKit rooms as realtime participants, handling voice, video, and text input and producing output in any modality. Teams can deploy on LiveKit Cloud or in a custom environment, a useful choice for developers balancing managed operations with their own infrastructure.

The framework supports LLM tool use, frontend RPC calls, and handoffs between agents. Native SIP connects agents to phone systems, and the platform supports inbound and outbound calls, custom phone numbers, and human handoff. That makes it relevant to phone workflows as well as web and mobile interactions, though the range of capabilities still requires a development team to assemble the experience.

Key features

LiveKit Inference connects to models from providers including OpenAI, Google, AssemblyAI, Deepgram, Cartesia, and ElevenLabs; open-source plugins connect to additional providers. Cloud observability includes session replay, transcripts, trace spans, logs, and session reports, giving teams several ways to inspect sessions and troubleshoot behavior.

LiveKit says prompts, audio, and completions handled by LiveKit Inference and its model providers are not logged or retained. Its listed compliance credentials include SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA / CPRA, and the EU–US Data Privacy Framework; PCI DSS and ISO 27001 are in progress. BAAs are available to Scale and Enterprise customers handling protected health information. Agent Builder is a narrower option: it is intended for simple voice prototypes and produces Python code for deployment to LiveKit Cloud.

Pricing

Build costs $0/mo and includes 1,000 agent session minutes, five concurrent agent sessions, one agent deployment, $2.50 in inference credits, and community support. It is a defined starting allowance, not an unrestricted production tier; developers needing more concurrency or deployments will need to move up.

Ship starts at $50/mo, with 5,000 agent session minutes and then $0.01 per minute, 20 concurrent sessions, two deployments, and email support. It suits smaller deployments that have outgrown Build, but usage beyond the included minutes adds a per-minute charge. Scale starts at $500/mo and includes 50,000 minutes, then $0.01 per minute, up to 600 concurrent sessions, four deployments, region pinning, security reports, and HIPAA. Its higher allowance and controls are aimed at larger workloads; teams should account for the same overage rate beyond included minutes.

Enterprise has custom pricing, with volume pricing, a shared Slack channel, SSO, and a support SLA. Build offers community support, Ship email support, and Enterprise a support SLA, so support level rises with the plans. No included session-minute allowance is stated for Enterprise.

Platforms

Platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web, API, and self-hosted deployment. That combination serves teams building across client platforms while retaining the option to run agents in their own environment.

Who it's for

LiveKit Agents is best suited to developers and teams building realtime agents that need live media, phone connectivity, integrations, or a choice of cloud and custom deployment. It is less suitable for readers who want a finished assistant without building one, or for a simple prototype that does not need a framework: Agent Builder is explicitly scoped to basic voice prototypes.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Voice, video, and text input, flexible output, tool use, RPC calls, and multi-agent handoffs support varied realtime workflows.
• Pros: Cloud or custom deployment, native SIP, and broad model connections give developers meaningful implementation choices.
• Pros: Build provides a no-cost entry point, while Scale adds high concurrency, region pinning, and security reports.
• Cons: Build is capped at 1,000 minutes, five concurrent sessions, and one deployment, limiting its headroom.
• Cons: Ship and Scale charge $0.01 per minute beyond their included quotas, so heavier usage can raise costs.
• Cons: Agent Builder only targets simple voice prototypes and outputs Python for LiveKit Cloud, making it a narrow fit for other workflows or deployment preferences.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of options, browse AI Voice Agents or Conversational AI Platforms.

• Rapida AI is another freemium option; its Launch plan includes one agent and brings-your-own STT, TTS, LLM, and SIP.
• Yellow.ai offers a free plan with one AI agent and monthly included usage, for readers considering a web and mobile option.
• Ring AI has a free tier with 100 minutes per month for testing.
• Tone offers a free self-host plan with unlimited agents, calls, and workflows, using your own LLM, voice, and telephony.
• Vapi is a paid option with usage-based billing and $5 in free credits to get started.
• Bland AI is a paid option with a Start plan priced at $0.14/min.
• Cognigy is another paid web option.
• Pipecat is a free option for web, iOS, and Android.

Verdict

Choose LiveKit Agents if your team can build in Python or Node.js and needs realtime media, telephony, and deployment flexibility in one framework. Its cloud insights and defined path from a free tier to higher concurrency add practical appeal. Look elsewhere if you need a finished assistant rather than a development platform, or if Build’s session limits and Agent Builder’s prototype scope do not fit your workload.