WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) enables real-time voice calls, video calls, and data sharing directly in web browsers without plugins or app installation. Released by Google in 2011, it's now standard in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
WebRTC's innovation is "browser-only calling." Traditional VoIP required app installation, but WebRTC lets users join calls by clicking a URL. Google Meet is built on WebRTC, enabling direct browser video conferencing.
Technically, WebRTC uses peer-to-peer (P2P) connections for direct device communication. Encryption is mandatory via SRTP and DTLS, providing standard communication protection. P2P minimizes latency and server load.
Enterprise telephony increasingly uses WebRTC for cloud PBX browser clients and website "click-to-call" buttons enabling one-click visitor-to-business calls. See VoIP basics.