The Ultimate Guide to Build vs. Buy for Video in 2026

Building real-time video infrastructure presents significant challenges for product teams, primarily due to the complexities involved in WebRTC-based systems, which are often underestimated. While creating a basic peer-to-peer video application may seem straightforward, scaling it to support thousands of global users with features like adaptive streaming, echo cancellation, and recording requires thorough understanding of networking, codecs, and distributed systems. The decision between building in-house or using a third-party API hinges on factors such as the role of video in the product, available WebRTC expertise, and willingness to handle ongoing maintenance, compliance, and feature updates. For many teams, video serves as a feature rather than the core product, making third-party APIs a cost-effective and efficient choice, especially given the rapid evolution of user expectations and the high ongoing operational burden of maintaining video infrastructure. The build vs. buy decision ultimately depends on whether managing video infrastructure is the best use of engineering resources, with the latter option often allowing teams to focus more on product differentiation and core business functions.