Daily.co
Video Conferencing · Free · since 2016
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Daily.co is a video calling API and SDK for building custom video experiences in web and mobile apps. It handles video api, recording, transcription, and custom ui, and it's best suited for developers wanting to embed video calls in their app. It has been around since 2016, giving it a 10-year head start in building out integrations and refining the product.
The free plan is free for 2k min/day — enough for most people to evaluate whether it fits. It's designed for small teams, striking a balance between simplicity and collaboration features.
pros
- Includes Video API as a core feature, purpose-built for video conferencing workflows
- Includes Recording as a core feature, purpose-built for video conferencing workflows
- Free for 2K min/day — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
- Includes transcription alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed
cons
- Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
- Developer-oriented tooling may not suit non-technical team members
- Call quality depends heavily on participants' internet connections
- Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up
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