GlossaryWHIP

WHIP

WHIP (WebRTC-HTTP Ingestion Protocol) is a standard way to send a live stream into a streaming platform using WebRTC, set up with a single HTTP request. Before WHIP, each platform had its own custom signaling (the handshake that starts a WebRTC session). WHIP lets any compatible encoder or browser publish to any compatible server, much like RTMP does for traditional streaming.

Why it matters

Without a standard, every WebRTC streaming service needed its own custom code to accept a broadcast, which locked customers into one vendor's tools. WHIP lets any compatible encoder or browser go live to any compatible platform, cutting integration work and making real-time ingest as easy to set up as RTMP.

How it works

  1. The encoder sends one HTTP POST request with an SDP offer describing its audio and video.
  2. The server replies with an SDP answer and a URL that represents the new session.
  3. The two sides connect using standard WebRTC networking and start sending encrypted media.
  4. To stop, the encoder sends an HTTP DELETE request to the session URL.

WHIP vs RTMP: what is the difference?

Both send a live stream from an encoder to a platform, but WHIP uses WebRTC while RTMP uses an older TCP-based protocol. WHIP brings encryption by default, modern codecs and very low delay, and works from a browser. RTMP has wider encoder support and simpler networking. WHIP is growing fast, but RTMP and RTMPS remain the most common ingest options today.

Does OBS support WHIP?

Yes, OBS Studio added WHIP output in version 30, released in 2023. Users choose WHIP as the service and enter the server URL and bearer token from their platform. This lets a host send a WebRTC stream straight from OBS without extra plugins, though the receiving platform must also support WHIP.

Where it's used

Creator apps and live shopping apps accept WHIP so hosts can go live straight from a browser or OBS Studio with very low delay and no extra software.

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