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Apache Thrift VS WebRTC

Compare Apache Thrift VS WebRTC and see what are their differences

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Apache Thrift logo Apache Thrift

An interface definition language and communication protocol for creating cross-language services.

WebRTC logo WebRTC

WebRTC is a free, open project that enables web browsers with Real-Time Communications (RTC) capabilities via simple JavaScript APIs. The WebRTC components have been optimized to best serve this purpose.
  • Apache Thrift Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-07-12
  • WebRTC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-19

Apache Thrift features and specs

  • Cross-Language Support
    Apache Thrift supports numerous programming languages including Java, Python, C++, Ruby, and more, enabling seamless communication between services written in different languages.
  • Efficient Serialization
    Thrift offers efficient binary serialization which helps in reducing the payload size and improves the communication speed between services.
  • Service Definition Flexibility
    Thrift provides a robust interface definition language (IDL) for defining and generating code for services with strict type checking, fostering strong contract interfaces.
  • Scalability
    Due to its lightweight and efficient serialization mechanisms, Apache Thrift can handle a large number of simultaneous client connections, making it suitable for scalable distributed systems.
  • Versioning Support
    Thrift supports service versioning which helps in evolving APIs without disrupting existing services or clients.

Possible disadvantages of Apache Thrift

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For new users, especially those not familiar with RPC frameworks, learning and understanding Thrift’s IDL and operations can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Documentation and Community Support
    Compared to some alternative technologies, Apache Thrift's documentation and community support can be less robust, which might pose challenges in troubleshooting or seeking guidance.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    Thrift does not support some advanced features like streaming or multiplexing out of the box, which could limit its use in complex systems requiring these functionalities.
  • Infrastructure Overhead
    Integrating Thrift into an existing system might introduce infrastructure overhead both in initial setup and ongoing maintenance, especially when dealing with multiple languages.
  • Protocol Limitations
    While Thrift is highly efficient, its protocol limitations might require additional workarounds for certain data structures or transport mechanisms, complicating development.

WebRTC features and specs

  • Real-time Communication
    WebRTC enables real-time voice, video, and data communication directly between web browsers and other devices without requiring plugins or additional frameworks.
  • Open Source
    WebRTC is free and open-source, which allows developers to inspect, modify, and enhance the code to suit their needs without incurring licensing costs.
  • Peer-to-Peer Architecture
    The peer-to-peer architecture of WebRTC reduces latency and can be more efficient than server-based architectures for real-time communication, saving bandwidth and server resources.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    WebRTC operates seamlessly across different platforms (web, mobile, desktop) and operating systems, ensuring broad accessibility and reach.
  • Built-in Security
    WebRTC comes with built-in security features such as encryption of data streams (SRTP) and secure access to media devices, which enhances user privacy and data security.

Possible disadvantages of WebRTC

  • Network Traversal Issues
    WebRTC can face challenges with firewall and NAT traversal, which might require additional setup and infrastructure like TURN servers to relay traffic.
  • Browser Compatibility
    While most modern browsers support WebRTC, there may still be inconsistencies or issues with certain browsers or versions, necessitating thorough compatibility testing.
  • Scalability Challenges
    Handling large-scale implementations or group calls can be challenging with WebRTC's peer-to-peer architecture, often requiring additional signaling servers and infrastructure.
  • Lack of Quality Control
    WebRTC doesn’t have built-in mechanisms for monitoring and controlling the quality of service (QoS), which can lead to variations in audio and video quality especially under poor network conditions.
  • Complexity of Implementation
    Building a complete WebRTC-based application can be complex due to the need for handling signaling, session management, and potential browser-specific issues.

Analysis of Apache Thrift

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Apache Thrift is considered to be a good option for projects needing cross-language communication and efficient serialization. Its efficiency and wide adoption have proven it to be a reliable framework in many production environments.

Why this product is good

  • Apache Thrift is a widely used framework for scalable cross-language services development. It allows for seamless communication between programs written in different languages by providing code generation and serialization capabilities for a variety of languages. Thrift supports an efficient binary protocol and is highly customizable, making it a robust choice for services that require performance and flexibility. Additionally, it's an open-source project under the Apache Software Foundation, which ensures it has a strong community and ongoing updates.

Recommended for

  • Organizations that require cross-language service communication
  • Projects that need high-performance and low-latency data transmission
  • Developers looking for a framework with support for multiple programming languages
  • Teams looking for a customizable serialization protocol

Analysis of WebRTC

Overall verdict

  • WebRTC is generally considered a good solution for real-time communication needs due to its robust features, ease of integration, and strong support from a wide array of browsers and platforms. Its open-source nature also encourages continuous improvements and community support, making it a reliable choice for developers.

Why this product is good

  • WebRTC is a powerful open-source project that facilitates real-time communication directly between web browsers and mobile apps. It enables high-quality audio, video, and data transfer, leveraging technologies like peer-to-peer connections without requiring plugins or external software. This makes WebRTC a versatile and efficient option for developers looking to implement seamless real-time communication capabilities in their applications.

Recommended for

  • Video conferencing applications
  • Online gaming with live interactions
  • Collaborative tools and platforms
  • Educational software with live communication features
  • Peer-to-peer file sharing

Apache Thrift videos

Apache Thrift

WebRTC videos

Google WebRTC project update & Stadia review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - WebRTC Tutorial - How does WebRTC work?
  • Demo - Use Case - WebRTC Bill Review Demo

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Apache Thrift and WebRTC)
Web Servers
100 100%
0% 0
Communication
0 0%
100% 100
Web And Application Servers
Group Chat & Notifications

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Apache Thrift and WebRTC

Apache Thrift Reviews

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WebRTC Reviews

SignalR Alternatives
SignalR is basically used to allow connection between client and server or vice-versa. It is a type of bi-directional communication between both the client and server. SignalR is compatible with web sockets and many other connections, which help in the direct push of content over the server. There are many alternatives for signalR that are used, like Firebase, pusher,...
Source: www.educba.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WebRTC should be more popular than Apache Thrift. It has been mentiond 49 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Apache Thrift mentions (13)

  • Show HN: TypeSchema – A JSON specification to describe data models
    I once read a paper about Apache/Meta Thrift [1,2]. It allows you to define data types/interfaces in a definition file and generate code for many programming languages. It was specifically designed for RPCs and microservices. [1]: https://thrift.apache.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Delving Deeper: Enriching Microservices with Golang with CloudWeGo
    While gRPC and Apache Thrift have served the microservice architecture well, CloudWeGo's advanced features and performance metrics set it apart as a promising open source solution for the future. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Reddit System Design/Architecture
    Services in general communicate via Thrift (and in some cases HTTP). Source: about 2 years ago
  • Universal type language!
    Protocol Buffers is the most popular one, but there are many others such as Apache Thrift and my own Typical. Source: about 2 years ago
  • You worked on it? Why is it slow then?
    RPC is not strictly OO, but you can think of RPC calls like method calls. In general it will reflect your interface design and doesn't have to be top-down, although a good project usually will look that way. A good contrast to REST where you use POST/PUT/GET/DELETE pattern on resources where as a procedure call could be a lot more flexible and potentially lighter weight. Think of it like defining methods in code... Source: over 2 years ago
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WebRTC mentions (49)

  • SSE, WebSockets, or Polling? Build a Real-Time Stock App with React and Hono
    For real-time communication used mostly for video and voice calls, check out WebRTC. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • 17 Reasons Why JavaScript is Essential for Real-Time Applications
    One of the most visible aspects of JavaScript for interactive web applications is its ability to make user interactions feel seamless and instantaneous. For example, form validation, auto-suggestions, and real-time data visualization are all powered by JavaScript, allowing users to engage with web apps more fluidly. These instant interactions reduce frustration and keep users engaged. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Mastering Real-Time Collaboration: Building Figma and Miro-Inspired Features with Supabase
    So before we dive into the implementation, I would like to share a few things about this project(my personal exp.). During this project I studying a ton about webRTC. I started studying webRTC from scratch, like what is webRTC? How is the connection formed? How the data transfer takes place. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Show HN: I built a website to share files and messages without any server
    WebRTC it is: https://webrtc.org/ Yes only the network layer encryption. No file encryption as it will cost client browsers a lot in case of encrypting and then decrypting that at other end. I have written more about it here: https://dikshantraj2001.medium.com/nat-stun-turn-and-ice-466dabbc2fdb Currently, I am using the public STUN servers only. If the IPs are not reachable, it would show an error and won't work... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • WebSocket vs. HTTP communication protocols
    You might also consider assessing complementary or alternative technologies; WebSocket and HTTP aren’t the only options when it comes to real-time communication, after all. WebRTC is similar to WebSocket, with the key difference being that it’s used to implement peer-to-peer connections without relying on a server. That can be especially helpful for video calls, allowing participants to communicate directly... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Apache Thrift and WebRTC, you can also consider the following products

Docker Hub - Docker Hub is a cloud-based registry service

Zoom - Equip your team with tools designed to collaborate, connect, and engage with teammates and customers, no matter where you’re located, all in one platform.

Eureka - Eureka is a contact center and enterprise performance through speech analytics that immediately reveals insights from automated analysis of communications including calls, chat, email, texts, social media, surveys and more.

WebEx - Cisco WebEx Web Conferencing, Online Meetings, Desktop Sharing, Video Conferencing

gRPC - Application and Data, Languages & Frameworks, Remote Procedure Call (RPC), and Service Discovery

ClickMeeting - Collaborate with partners and clients using ClickMeeting professional web conferencing software. Try it now, FREE!