WebRTC is both a specification and an open source project.

WebRTC stands for Web Real Time Communications. It is at the intersection between the internet and telecommunications.

WebRTC’s main driver is bringing real time communications into the browser, and to the hands of many more developers – enabling a considerable reduction in the barrier of entry for those who need to add communication capabilities to their applications; and a reduction in the level of friction end users face when dealing with communication services.

WebRTC enables sending voice, video and any arbitrary data across browsers in a peer to peer fashion.

WebRTC the specification

WebRTC is a specification that is being defined by two separate standardization organizations – the IETF and W3C.

W3C is “in charge” of the JavaScript API layer for WebRTC as part of HTML5. The latest working draft is available online.

IETF has an active working group with the name Rtcweb which handles the network part of WebRTC – defining what gets communicated over the network.

WebRTC is a “work in progress”. Version 1.0 of the specification hasn’t been released yet, although it is already implemented by Chrome, Firefox and Opera browsers.

WebRTC the project

WebRTC is an open source project released and maintained by Google.

It is an implementation of the WebRTC specification that fits into Google’s Chrome browser. It can be ported to other operating systems and uses as well.

The project is licensed under the permissive BSD license, enabling its commercial use by any organization and individual.

The project is found at webrtc.org.