LiveKit vs Retell AI
A side-by-side comparison of LiveKit and Retell AI, drawn from Ignaite's continuously-verified listings.
Compared from listings verified as of
LiveKit
InfraOpen-source framework and cloud for realtime voice, video, and physical AI agents.
View LiveKitAt a glance
| Attribute | LiveKit | Retell AI |
|---|---|---|
| Category (differs) | Infra | Voice |
| Pricing | FREEMIUM | FREEMIUM |
| License (differs) | Open core | Proprietary |
| Deployment (differs) | Hybrid | Cloud |
| Platforms (differs) | Web, API, CLI | Web, API |
| Model support (differs) | Model-agnostic | Multi-model |
| Vendor (differs) | LiveKit, Inc. | Retell AI |
The honest brief
LiveKit
The open-source realtime layer most voice-agent stacks run on — sub-second STT-LLM-TTS with turn detection, interruptions, and telephony, BYO models.
- Powers ChatGPT Advanced Voice in production
- Self-hostable, with telephony built in
- BYO STT/LLM/TTS — no model lock-in
- Reliable turn detection and interruptions
- Managed cloud option alongside the OSS
- Developer infrastructure, not a no-code product
- You assemble and pay for STT/LLM/TTS separately
- Realtime media ops add operational complexity
Retell AI
Bring your own LLM behind the voice agent, so it isn't locked to a single model like most all-in-one voice platforms.
- Inbound and outbound call handling
- SIP/Twilio telephony built in
- Low-latency turn-taking model
- No-code builder plus API
- Per-minute costs stack with LLM/TTS
- Voice quality depends on chosen vendors
- Cloud-only, no self-host