EARLIER THIS WEEK, we told you about Meerkat, a livestreaming app that became the toast of SXSW this year.

Now it seems a rival has emerged and a battle is about to be waged.

Introducing Periscope.

So, what is Periscope?

Like Meerkat, it’s a livestreaming app that enables the user to broadcast live from wherever they are. (The app’s website described it as “the closest thing to teleportation”.) Unlike Meerkat, it was acquired by Twitter for $100 million in January.

Yesterday, Periscope launched its iPhone app and officially declared war.

What are the differences between Periscope and Meerkat?

While they both serve the same purpose, there are a few key differences.

Possibly the main difference is that Meerkat isn’t quite live. Instead, it operates on a ten-second delay.

Periscope, however, is truly instant.

Another difference? Meerkat’s broadcasts can only be watched live and they can be seen by anyone. Periscope, on the other hand, allows users to decide who can watch their broadcasts and permits users to save video streams to be replayed later.

Additionally, Periscope sends you statistics on how many people watched your livestream while Meerkat doesn’t.

Which is better?

The odds currently seem to be in Periscope’s favour with many commending its interface and functionality, although there have been a few issues…

Periscope also has the added benefit of having Twitter on its side, meaning that it’s integrated with your Twitter account and following people is easy.

Don’t count Meerkat out yet, though: its creator announced yesterday that it has raised $14 million meaning that the war isn’t over yet.

Finally, why would I even want to livestream anyway?

Look, we would have said the same about Twitter a few years and look where we are now.

Embrace the future, y’all, for this will be soon be our reality.

Previously: What is Meerkat and why is everyone talking about it? >