Peer-to-peer video calls: how they work and when they fit

What is a peer-to-peer video call?

A peer-to-peer video call sends audio and video directly between participants’ devices instead of routing it through a central media server. P2P video calling keeps the media path short and off the provider’s servers.

Peer-to-peer vs server-based video

In server-based calls, each participant sends one stream to a media server, which forwards or mixes it for everyone else. That scales to large meetings but means the provider’s servers handle the media. In a peer-to-peer call, devices connect to each other directly, which suits small groups and keeps the media off third-party servers.

Peer-to-peer video call limits

With more than two people, peer-to-peer usually means a mesh video call: every participant sends their stream to every other participant. Upload bandwidth and device load grow with each person added, so mesh calls work best for small meetings.

Is peer-to-peer video secure?

In browsers, peer-to-peer video uses WebRTC, which encrypts all media between participants. Security also depends on who can join, which is why waiting rooms, passcodes and host controls matter as much as encryption.

In Arkenso Meet

Arkenso Meet sends audio and video straight between the people in the call rather than through our servers, with a waiting room, passcodes and host controls deciding who gets in.

Last reviewed 2026-11-01.

Related terms

  • WebRTC — WebRTC is an open web standard that lets browsers send audio, video and data directly to each other in real time, without plugins or a downloaded app.
  • Meeting waiting room — A waiting room in a video meeting holds people who open the meeting link in a separate lobby until a host lets them in, so nobody can walk into a meeting uninvited.
  • Meeting passcode — A meeting passcode is a short code someone must enter, as well as having the meeting link, before they can join a video meeting.

All glossary terms →