# 12 Best OpenAI Realtime API Alternatives (2026)

> 12 verified OpenAI Realtime API alternatives in Voice AI, led by Vapi (from $0.05/min). Compared on real production cost and per-use-case verdicts. Updated.

OpenAI Realtime API is openai's api for building voice agents that listen and talk back in real time over a website, app, or phone line, using one speech-to-speech model instead of separate transcription, reasoning, and voice pieces.. Teams that switch usually cite price at production volume, compliance requirements, deeper pipeline control, outbound campaign tooling, an out-of-the-box receptionist, ecommerce order handling. The alternatives below are ranked by published head-to-head verdicts, not sponsorship.

## Where to switch, by reason

| Switching because of | See |
| --- | --- |
| price at production volume | [Replicant](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/best/agency/) |
| compliance requirements | [Pipecat](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/best/healthcare/) |
| deeper pipeline control | [LiveKit Agents](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/best/developer/) |
| outbound campaign tooling | [Cognigy (NiCE)](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/best/outbound/) |
| an out-of-the-box receptionist | [Telnyx Voice AI Agents](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/best/receptionist/) |
| ecommerce order handling | [Dentina](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/best/ecommerce/) |

## The OpenAI Realtime API alternatives, ranked

| # | Tool | Positioning | vs OpenAI Realtime API | Best if you need | Price | Rating |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Vapi](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/vapi/) | Dev-first API platform, full pipeline control | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. | custom pipeline control, ecommerce support and orders, outbound sales campaigns, smb receptionist and booking | From $0.05/min |  |
| 2 | [ElevenLabs Agents](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/elevenlabs-agents/) | Voice-quality leader, agents platform | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. | no-code agency deploys, custom pipeline control, smb receptionist and booking | From $0.05/min |  |
| 3 | [Google Gemini Live API](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/gemini-live-api/) | Native-audio speech-to-speech model API (Gemini Live) with barge-in, affective dialog, and tool use over a stateful WebSocket. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $0.02/min |  |
| 4 | [Hume EVI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/hume-evi/) | Emotionally intelligent speech-to-speech API (Empathic Voice Interface, EVI 3 / EVI 4 mini) with voice cloning and supplemental-LLM support. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. | no-code agency deploys, custom pipeline control, healthcare compliance, smb receptionist and booking | From $0.07/min |  |
| 5 | [Abby Connect](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/abby-connect/) | Legacy virtual-receptionist provider (est. 2005) adding a lower-cost AI tier with built-in human backup; minute-bundle pricing on both lines. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $99/mo |  |
| 6 | [Air AI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/air-ai/) | AI sales calls | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 7 | [Alex (fka Apriora)](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/alex/) | 'Interview everyone. Hire the best.' - autonomous AI interviewer (voice + video) for high-volume hiring, operated by Apriora Inc. dba Alex. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 8 | [Arini](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/arini/) | The AI front desk for dental groups and DSOs - zero missed calls, 24/7. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 9 | [ASAPP](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/asapp/) | Generative AI CX platform whose GenerativeAgent overlays existing CCaaS stacks to automate voice and messaging interactions. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 10 | [Assort Health](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/assort-health/) | Specialty-specific AI agents for the full patient journey (access, intake, referrals, outreach). | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 11 | [Avoca](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/avoca/) | AI workforce platform for the home-services trades (voice, chat, outbound, and call coaching). | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 12 | [Bland AI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/bland/) | Outbound-heavy, enterprise-leaning |  |  | From $0.14/min |  |
| 13 | [Bolna](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/bolna/) | Open-source voice-agent orchestration with a hosted platform priced for Indian-language call volume. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $0.06/min |  |
| 14 | [Brooke.ai](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/brooke-ai/) | OEM-channel digital voice assistant for fixed ops - a sub-brand of Proactive Dealer Solutions (Better Car People), sold through programs like Stellantis MarketCenter rather than as a standalone startup. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 15 | [Caseflood](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/caseflood/) | 'The first human-assisted legal AI intake team designed to autonomously sign retainers for law firms' - long-form voice intake plus human-in-the-loop closing, YC-backed. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 16 | [Cognigy (NiCE)](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/cognigy/) | Agentic AI platform for CX (Cognigy.AI + Voice Gateway); Forrester Wave 2026 Leader, sold standalone and inside NiCE CXone Mpower. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 17 | [ConverzAI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/converzai/) | 'World's Leading Automation for Staffing Firms' - agentic virtual recruiters covering the pipeline from sourcing to placement, staffing-agency (not corporate HR) focus. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 18 | [Cresta](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/cresta/) | Generative AI platform unifying autonomous AI Agent, Agent Assist, and Conversation Intelligence for enterprise contact centers. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 19 | [Dasha](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/dasha/) | Dev platform, conversational AI | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $0.08/min |  |
| 20 | [Decagon](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/decagon/) | AI concierge platform - voice/chat/email agents driven by natural-language Agent Operating Procedures (AOPs). | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 21 | [Deepgram Voice Agent API](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/deepgram-voice-agent-api/) | Unified STT + LLM orchestration + TTS voice-agent pipeline at a flat all-in rate ($4.50/hr), with BYO-LLM/TTS discounts and enterprise deployment options. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $0.07/min |  |
| 22 | [Dentina](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/dentina/) | The AI dental receptionist built by a dentist - 24/7 inbound/outbound calls with real-time PMS write-back. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $299/mo |  |
| 23 | [Dialzara](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/dialzara/) | Lowest-entry-price SMB AI receptionist with minute-bundle pricing and SMS/chatbot/outbound add-ons | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $0.48/min |  |
| 24 | [Dograh](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/dograh/) (OSS) | Self-hostable open-source voice agent platform ('OSS alternative to Vapi & Retell') with a no-code workflow builder and air-gapped on-prem deployment for regulated industries. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | See pricing |  |
| 25 | [Domu](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/domu/) | YC S24 collections-automation platform for financial institutions across the Americas - 'compliance is not a checkbox, it is the architecture'. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 26 | [echowin](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/echowin/) | No-code AI phone/chat agent builder with pay-as-you-go pricing, 70+ languages, and agency white-label options | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $0.20/min |  |
| 27 | [EliseAI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/eliseai/) | Voice-capable agentic suite, not a voice-only agent: full housing-operations platform (leasing, resident services, CRM, payments) plus a HealthAI arm - voice is one channel of a much broader product. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 28 | [Goodcall](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/goodcall/) | Agentic voice AI for SMB service businesses; unusual per-unique-customer metering with unlimited minutes ('born at Google'). | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $79/mo |  |
| 29 | [Guava (formerly Gridspace)](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/guava/) | Developer-first voice agent API 'for regulated industries', built on a decade of Gridspace voice AI in banks and hospitals. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 30 | [HappyRobot](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/happyrobot/) | Enterprise 'AI operating system for the real economy': AI-worker platform that grew out of logistics voice agents, now spanning 8 verticals (logistics, utilities, airlines, finance, insurance, manufacturing, retail, telecom). | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 31 | [Hello Patient](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/hello-patient/) | Conversational AI for healthcare's 'front door' - voice, SMS, and chat patient communication. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 32 | [Kore.ai](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/kore-ai/) | Enterprise agentic AI platform (Artemis) with voice AI agents for contact-center self-service at Global 2000 scale. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 33 | [Level AI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/level-ai/) | LLM-native contact-center intelligence platform (QA/Agent Assist center of gravity) with an AI Virtual Agent for voice and chat automation. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 34 | [Liberate](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/liberate/) | 'The Most Trusted AI in Insurance' - voice-first, insurance-native agents (pre-trained on insurance processes) spanning sales, service, and claims across voice, SMS, email, and digital channels. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 35 | [Lindy](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/lindy/) | AI employees incl. phone agents | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $49.99/mo |  |
| 36 | [LiveKit Agents](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/livekit-agents/) (OSS) | Realtime infra + agents (OSS + cloud) | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $0.01/min |  |
| 37 | [Loman AI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/loman/) | Restaurant voice AI with deep POS order-writing (Toast/Square/Clover/Olo etc.) - orders and payments, not just reservations and FAQs. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 38 | [Millis AI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/millis/) | Low-latency voice agents | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $0.02/min |  |
| 39 | [Frontdesk (My AI Front Desk)](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/my-ai-front-desk/) | Multi-channel AI front desk (voice/SMS/chat/email/WhatsApp) with bundled CRM and a white-label reseller program, mid-rebrand from My AI Front Desk to Frontdesk | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $0.25/min |  |
| 40 | [Netic](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/netic/) | Autonomous AI revenue engine for essential home services. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 41 | [Numa](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/numa/) | AI operating system for the AI-native dealership - voice AI plus agentic follow-up (Heat Case, Opportunity, Service Advisor agents) for franchise dealers and multi-rooftop groups. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 42 | [Observe.AI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/observe-ai/) | Contact-center AI platform expanding from conversation intelligence into autonomous VoiceAI agents (inbound and outbound) with copilots for frontline teams. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 43 | [Omilia](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/omilia/) | Conversational AI platform for contact-center voice/IVR automation, with native 'Lexis' voice synthesis and agentic voice/chat agents. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 44 | [Parloa](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/parloa/) | AI Agent Management Platform (AMP) for enterprise contact centers - design, test, scale, optimize agentic AI. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | See pricing |  |
| 45 | [Patter](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/patter/) (OSS) | MIT-licensed, self-host-only voice AI SDK (Python + TypeScript) abstracting 27+ providers across LLM/STT/TTS/carrier layers - a middle ground between hosted platforms (Vapi/Retell) and heavyweight frameworks. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | See pricing |  |
| 46 | [Phonely](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/phonely/) | SMB AI receptionist |  |  | From $0.05/min |  |
| 47 | [Pipecat](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/pipecat/) (OSS) | Open-source Python framework for real-time voice and multimodal conversational agents, maintained by Daily, with Pipecat Cloud as the managed production runtime. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $0.01/min |  |
| 48 | [Play.ai (PlayHT)](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/play-ai/) | Voice agents + TTS heritage | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 49 | [PolyAI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/polyai/) | Enterprise voice assistants |  |  | See pricing |  |
| 50 | [Rapida](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/rapida/) (OSS) | Open-source (GPL-2.0 + branding terms) voice AI orchestration platform in Go/gRPC, aimed at agencies, CPaaS/CCaaS providers, and enterprises wanting white-label, multi-tenant voice operations with provider-level cost passthrough. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $0.01/min |  |
| 51 | [Regal](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/regal/) | Contact-center AI (enterprise) | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 52 | [Replicant](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/replicant/) | Voice-native contact-center automation with deterministic reasoning for business rules and 1B+ minutes of production conversation data. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 53 | [Retell AI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/retell/) | API plus no-code, production telephony fast | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $0.07/min |  |
| 54 | [Ringly.io](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/ringly/) | Ecommerce phone agents |  |  | From $0.29/min |  |
| 55 | [Rosie](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/rosie/) | Self-serve SMB AI answering service with bundled-minute pricing and bilingual EN/ES on every plan. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $49/mo |  |
| 56 | [Salient](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/salient/) | Compliance-first AI loan-servicing platform ('Taylor' voice agent plus audit/claims/chargeback agents) for technology-first consumer lenders - voice-as-a-wedge into the full servicing lifecycle. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 57 | [Sameday](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/sameday/) | Trades-focused AI sales agent - sells and books jobs (claims 92%+ booking rate, voice cloning of your staff) rather than just taking messages. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $449/mo |  |
| 58 | [Sierra](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/sierra/) | Outcome-priced conversational AI agent platform from Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor; voice product replaces IVR with an empathetic agent. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 59 | [Simple Phones](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/simple-phones/) | Done-for-you AI phone agent for small businesses on flat per-call-bundle pricing | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $97/mo |  |
| 60 | [Sindarin](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/sindarin/) | Persona-driven voice agents | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $99/mo |  |
| 61 | [Slang AI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/slang-ai/) | Hospitality-native voice AI ('Superhost') priced per location - reservation-system depth and guest recognition rather than generic receptionist features. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $399/mo |  |
| 62 | [Smith.ai](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/smith-ai/) | Human+AI hybrid receptionist platform with per-call bundle pricing; 500+ live agent network, law-firm-heavy customer base. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $150/mo |  |
| 63 | [STELLA Automotive AI](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/stella-automotive/) | Dealership-focused conversational AI platform with certified DMS integrations (CDK, Reynolds, Tekion) and dealer/industry investors incl. Reynolds & Reynolds board representation. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 64 | [Synthflow](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/synthflow/) | No-code, agency white-label king |  |  | From $2,500/mo |  |
| 65 | [Telnyx Voice AI Agents](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/telnyx-voice-ai/) | Carrier-native voice AI: telephony, GPUs, STT/TTS and orchestration vertically integrated at the network edge. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $0.05/min |  |
| 66 | [TEN Framework](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/ten-framework/) (OSS) | Open-source real-time multimodal conversational AI framework (voice + video + avatar) with its own VAD and full-duplex turn-detection models, backed by Agora. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | See pricing |  |
| 67 | [Thoughtly](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/thoughtly/) | No-code AI contact center | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $500/mo |  |
| 68 | [Toma](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/toma/) | "AI Coworkers for the Automotive Enterprise" - dealership call automation with production safeguards, YC/a16z-backed. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | See pricing |  |
| 69 | [Twilio ConversationRelay](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/twilio-conversationrelay/) | Carrier-grade voice harness for BYO-LLM agents inside Twilio Programmable Voice. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $0.07/min |  |
| 70 | [Ultravox](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/ultravox/) | Realtime speech model + platform |  |  | From $0.05/min |  |
| 71 | [Upfirst](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/upfirst/) | Per-call-bundle AI receptionist with 35+ languages and declining overage rates up to 600 calls/mo | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $24.95/mo |  |
| 72 | [Vision Agents](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/vision-agents/) (OSS) | Open-source multimodal (video-first) AI agent framework by Stream, combining realtime LLMs with vision models on Stream's low-latency edge network. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | See pricing |  |
| 73 | [Vocode](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/vocode/) (OSS) | Open-source framework | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | See pricing |  |
| 74 | [Voiceflow](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/voiceflow/) | Agent builder (chat + voice) | vs OpenAI Realtime API: adds bring-your-own llm. |  | From $0.05/min |  |
| 75 | [Zoom Virtual Agent Receptionist](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/zoom-virtual-agent-receptionist/) | Big-tech price anchor for the receptionist segment: standalone AI receptionist at $29.99/mo (100 min), launched 2026-07-09; also bundled free with Zoom Phone. | vs OpenAI Realtime API: no native sip trunking. |  | From $29.99/mo |  |

## How the top OpenAI Realtime API alternatives compare

The top 6 in depth: where each alternative ranks across the Voice AI field we track, which use cases it takes from OpenAI Realtime API, and what switching gives up.

### 1. Vapi

Among the 23 voice ai tools we track, Vapi has the 7th-cheapest per-minute rate - a fit for cost-sensitive, high-volume work.
Head-to-head, Vapi takes custom pipeline control, ecommerce support and orders, outbound sales campaigns and smb receptionist and booking from OpenAI Realtime API and matches it for healthcare compliance.
Before switching, weigh what stays behind - OpenAI Realtime API vs Vapi: no bring-your-own llm.
Its published rate is $0.05 per minute, verified July 2026.

**Why teams switch (Custom pipeline control):** For engineering teams building custom pipelines, the ability to swap in your own LLM and TTS voice are deciding factors. Vapi supports both bring-your-own LLM and bring-your-own TTS voice, while the OpenAI Realtime API supports neither. Both tools are fully API-first, so that is a wash. Vapi also includes a simulation and testing suite, which the OpenAI Realtime API has no documented equivalent for. SIP trunking is available on both. Vapi's reported median latency is 600 ms, and the OpenAI Realtime API publishes no comparable figure. The flexibility advantages Vapi offers across the most important criteria are decisive. [Custom pipeline control verdict](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/openai-realtime-api-vs-vapi/)

**Overall verdict:** Vapi wins four of five use cases, with only a tie in healthcare compliance. Its no-code agent builder, built-in knowledge base, native outbound campaigns, warm transfer, and number provisioning give it a complete telephony stack that the OpenAI Realtime API simply lacks. Vapi also supports bring-your-own LLM and bring-your-own TTS voice, while OpenAI Realtime API supports neither. Integrations with GHL, Twilio, Zapier, and Make accelerate ecommerce and SMB deployments. At a $0/mo platform fee with LLM and TTS costs passed through at cost, real production pricing runs $0.05 to $0.17 per minute, keeping costs transparent. Backed by a $50M Series B, Vapi is a credible production choice.

Vapi cost: ≈ $0.11 per minute all-in (est.), verified Jul 15, 2026.

| Monthly volume | All-in monthly bill |
| --- | --- |
| 1K min/mo | $110 |
| 10K min/mo | $1,100 |
| 100K min/mo | $11,000 |
[Full Vapi vs OpenAI Realtime API comparison](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/openai-realtime-api-vs-vapi/) · [Vapi review](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/vapi/)

### 2. ElevenLabs Agents

Among the 31 voice ai tools we track, ElevenLabs Agents has the 4th-widest language coverage and the 3rd-lowest latency - a fit for multilingual and localization projects and real-time, conversational apps.
Head-to-head, ElevenLabs Agents takes no-code agency deploys, custom pipeline control and smb receptionist and booking from OpenAI Realtime API and matches it for healthcare compliance and outbound sales campaigns.
Before switching, weigh what stays behind - OpenAI Realtime API vs ElevenLabs Agents: adds native sip trunking.
Its published rate is $0.05 per minute, verified July 2026.

**Why teams switch (No-code agency deploys):** For a no-code agency deploying and reselling voice AI, the ability to build agents without coding is essential. ElevenLabs Agents explicitly offers a no-code agent builder, while the OpenAI Realtime API is API-first with no no-code builder available. That single difference is decisive for this use case. ElevenLabs Agents also charges $0 per month in platform fees, whereas no platform fee information is available for the OpenAI Realtime API. Production cost for ElevenLabs Agents runs at $0.05 per minute. Neither tool publishes white-label or sub-account details, so that factor cannot decide the comparison. ElevenLabs Agents also supports 70 languages, broadening resale potential. The no-code builder alone, the single most important capability for a non-technical agency, tips this clearly toward ElevenLabs Agents. [No-code agency deploys verdict](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/elevenlabs-agents-vs-openai-realtime-api/)

**Overall verdict:** ElevenLabs Agents wins three use cases outright and ties the remaining two, giving it a clear overall lead. For no-code agency deploys and SMB receptionist work, its built-in no-code agent builder lets teams launch without writing code, while a free plan with 10k credits per month and a $0 monthly platform fee lower the barrier to entry dramatically. At $0.05/min it is straightforward to budget, and no annual contract is required. For custom pipeline control, its API-first architecture combined with support for 70 languages and a 75 ms median end-to-end latency gives developers a fast, flexible foundation. OpenAI Realtime API cannot bring its own TTS voice or a third-party LLM, limiting customization for teams that want those options.

ElevenLabs Agents cost: ≈ $0.05 per minute all-in (est.), verified Jul 15, 2026.

| Monthly volume | All-in monthly bill |
| --- | --- |
| 1K min/mo | $50 |
| 10K min/mo | $500 |
| 100K min/mo | $5,000 |
[Full ElevenLabs Agents vs OpenAI Realtime API comparison](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/elevenlabs-agents-vs-openai-realtime-api/) · [ElevenLabs Agents review](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/elevenlabs-agents/)

### 3. Google Gemini Live API

Among the 31 voice ai tools we track, Google Gemini Live API has the 4th-widest language coverage and the 5th-cheapest per-minute rate - a fit for multilingual and localization projects and cost-sensitive, high-volume work.
In our published verdicts, Google Gemini Live API matches OpenAI Realtime API for no-code agency deploys, healthcare compliance and smb receptionist and booking.
Before switching, weigh what stays behind - OpenAI Realtime API vs Google Gemini Live API: adds native sip trunking.
Its published rate is $0.018 per minute, verified July 2026.

**Overall verdict:** OpenAI Realtime API claims three outright wins across custom pipeline control, ecommerce support, and outbound sales campaigns, while Google Gemini Live API wins none. A decisive structural advantage is native SIP trunking support, which Google Gemini Live API lacks entirely. SIP trunking lets teams connect existing telephony infrastructure directly, making outbound sales campaigns and ecommerce support deployments far simpler to build and operate. On custom pipeline control, OpenAI Realtime API's native WebRTC, WebSocket, and SIP integration paths alongside MCP and tool calling give developers precise control over call flow that LiveKit or Pipecat middleware layers cannot fully replicate. Google Gemini Live API's $0.018/min base rate and 70-language support are genuine strengths, but they did not translate into a single outright win.

Google Gemini Live API cost: ≈ $0.018 per minute all-in (est.), verified Jul 30, 2026.

| Monthly volume | All-in monthly bill |
| --- | --- |
| 1K min/mo | $18 |
| 10K min/mo | $180 |
| 100K min/mo | $1,800 |
[Full Google Gemini Live API vs OpenAI Realtime API comparison](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/gemini-live-api-vs-openai-realtime-api/) · [Google Gemini Live API review](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/gemini-live-api/)

### 4. Hume EVI

Among the 17 voice ai tools we track, Hume EVI has the 6th-lowest latency - a fit for real-time, conversational apps.
In our published verdicts, Hume EVI beats OpenAI Realtime API for no-code agency deploys, custom pipeline control, healthcare compliance and smb receptionist and booking and matches it for ecommerce support and orders and outbound sales campaigns.
The reverse angle matters too - OpenAI Realtime API vs Hume EVI: adds native sip trunking.
Published pricing starts at $0.07 per minute, verified July 2026.

**Why teams switch (Custom pipeline control):** For engineering teams building custom pipelines, the two most critical capabilities are bring-your-own LLM and full API-first control. Hume EVI supports bring-your-own LLM while OpenAI Realtime API does not, locking teams into a single model. Both are fully API-first. Hume EVI also allows bring-your-own TTS voice, giving teams complete control over the audio stack, whereas OpenAI Realtime API does not. Hume EVI's vendor-claimed 300 ms median end-to-end latency is competitive. These two stack-control advantages are decisive for custom pipeline work. [Custom pipeline control verdict](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/hume-evi-vs-openai-realtime-api/)
[Full Hume EVI vs OpenAI Realtime API comparison](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/hume-evi-vs-openai-realtime-api/) · [Hume EVI review](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/hume-evi/)

### 5. Abby Connect

Among the 31 voice ai tools we track, Abby Connect has the 28th-widest language coverage.
Before switching, weigh what stays behind - OpenAI Realtime API vs Abby Connect: adds native sip trunking.
[Abby Connect review](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/abby-connect/)

### 6. Air AI

Seen from the other side, OpenAI Realtime API vs Air AI: adds native sip trunking.
[Air AI review](https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/tools/air-ai/)

Source: https://www.versusref.com/voice-ai/alternatives/openai-realtime-api/