Build 1:1 Video Calls in ~180 Lines of Backend Code for $0.20 Per Session
A software developer has shared a method to build a 1:1 video calling service using AWS Chime SDK, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, and a React client in approximately 180 lines of backend code. The approach avoids both expensive per-seat video SaaS products and the complexity of building raw WebRTC infrastructure from scratch. Cost is estimated at roughly $0.20 per 60-minute session, calculated at $0.0017 per attendee-minute with two participants. A key design feature is a scheduled 'reaper' worker that automatically ends meetings after 60 minutes, preventing runaway charges from forgotten open sessions. The server handles only meeting creation, token issuance, and access control, while the managed SDK handles all media routing, TURN, and recording pipelines.
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