Did you know that 59% Internet users would rather access information via video than read written text?

People are already using streaming video for everything from news, entertainment, sports, marketing and more, so it makes sense to continue this trend into the professional world. Overall, a third of all online activity is used to watch video.

Research shows that the percentage of time spent on video viewing is growing rapidly, and businesses and other organizations are taking advantage of this trend, and in order to generate content, streaming hosting services are a must. Unlike free consumer-grade platforms, dedicated streaming video hosting providers offer easy-to-use pricing plans, secure and stable video uploads, content delivery network (CDN) access, technical support and more.

Disadvantages of free video hosting solutions

Many content creators use free video hosting services, the most popular of which are YouTubeHowever, for some reason, these platforms may not be suitable for enterprise use, and most consumer-grade products do not offer the streaming capabilities required by professional users.

Some disadvantages of free video hosting solutions include.

  • The hosting platform (not the content creator) owns all rights to the content
  • Brand effect (non-white label services)
  • No control over ads (whether you want them to be displayed in the video content)
  • Limited or no technical support / customer service (critical in live scenarios)
  • Limited or almost no profitability
  • Lack of feature-rich options to provide a quality viewing experience
  • Limited security (e.g. secure video uploads)
  • Limited integration / API options

If you need to create professional content, it is best to use a paid alternative in order to getWhite Labelservices, brand control, and rich profitability options. In fact, more than 50% marketers worldwide cite video as the highest converting content type, with some companies reporting triple-digit returns on their video investments.

Advantages of Professional Video Hosting Solutions

Before we dive into the streaming hosting platform, let’s talk about some of the features that are valuable to professional broadcasters.

  • Security.(a) To cope with the reality that piracy is statistically responsible for hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses each year, security features on platforms are critical, including secure uploads, password protection, domain restrictions, etc..
  • Profit.Global 2018 OTT revenues of approximately $67.8 billion, a figure that is expected to increase to $158.84 billion by 2024, so any streaming video hosting service should include profit-making tools, with the 3 popular methods being ad-based, subscription and pay-per-view.
  • CDN.In 2017, 63% viewers reported that buffering was the most serious issue they encountered, and that number is increasing year over year, with CDNs addressing latency and buffering by removing bottlenecks in the video distribution system.
  • API Access.the last few years have witnessed the beginning of the API economy, where application programming interfaces allow you to build custom programs, video platforms, workflows, which for many enterprises are key to making the most of streaming platforms.
  • Price.No matter what your budget is, cost is always an important factor to consider when choosing a streaming video hosting solution.

Next, we look at some of the top streaming media hosting providers needed for professional video content.

Offering a wide range of professional features and a top-notch CDN network at a very affordable price, Dacast is a powerful streaming solution designed for all types of businesses and professionals. Because it is so feature-rich, it may take some time for you to become familiar with how to use it. The good news is that the platform is designed for users of all experience levels, and you should be up and running in no time with top-notch security, profitability and distribution tools.

Main features.

  • With security options andWhite LabelContent control of functions
  • Live and VOD video for multipleBitTorrent
  • For ingestion HLS Streaming RTMP Encoder
  • Adaptive Bit Rate Streaming
  • Player API access for easy integration with existing systems, or to create custom applications
  • Video API Access in Premium Package
  • Multiple customizable video monetization options
  • Reliable video delivery through top CDNs
  • Real-time data analysis

Advantages

  • All pricing plans include live and on-demand capabilities
  • 24/7 technical support via email and live chat
  • Unlimited viewers and live channels
  • Customizable with embedding options HTML5 Video Player
  • Mobile Device Support
  • Live video streaming recording
  • Positive customer reviews
  • CDN nodes throughout mainland China

Disadvantages

  • It takes some time to get familiar with how to use
  • Setting up the connection is a bit tricky, by default the preview window opens and the sound is muted

Brightcove is a long-established video hosting provider designed for profit and marketing, and they have gained extensive experience in the video hosting space since 2004. It is a truly global company with thousands of customers in over 70 countries/regions, perfect for those who want to integrate the latest video technology with their marketing, communications and advertising software.

Main features.

  • Video monetization and advertising options
  • OTT streaming services
  • TV Everywhere Streaming Services
  • Live events and 24/7 streaming
  • Dozens of useful application integrations

Advantages

  • Powerful privacy and security settings
  • Full-featured editing tools
  • Useful integration options
  • Easy to use interface
  • Permission configuration
  • Customer Support

Disadvantages

  • Very limited analysis reports
  • Customer support is not available 24/7
  • It takes some time to get familiar with how to use
  • Higher latency in mainland China

Wistia is a TV quality streaming hosting service with a custom player that allows you to add your own logo and branding. Their call-to-action phrases, descriptive links and email features are top sellers, making them perfect for marketing.

Main features.

  • Manage and embed video
  • Custom video layers
  • Interactive Video Tools
  • Ad-free experience
  • User Subscription
  • Content Management System Integration
  • Video Analysis
  • Search Engine Optimization

Advantages

  • Customized Brands
  • In-depth analysis
  • A variety of different call-to-action phrases
  • Automated Video SEO
  • No ads on user videos
  • Customer Service

JW Player started out as a video player, and some of the code is similar to YouTube Same, but then the platform evolved to offer VOD hosting and live streaming services. The price is very cheap and the customer service is excellent, the downside is the features, if you are on a budget and are looking for a simple and practical product, this would be a viable option.

Main features.

  • Token access and DRM support
  • Suitable for companies of all sizes
  • Powerful data analysis
  • Advertising Optimization
  • Video Distribution Management

Advantages

  • Advertising profitability integration
  • Automatic video conversion for different devices
  • Simple and easy-to-use interface
  • Very affordable price
  • Excellent customer service
  • Outstanding sales support

Disadvantages

  • Real-time streaming via API is not supported
  • The duration of the live event is limited to 5 hours
  • No subscription or per-use billing support
  • No hidden captions
  • No screen sharing
  • Higher latency in mainland China

This is aIsraela video hosting company that serves clients around the world. Like its competitors, Kaltura supports live video and VOD, with the main difference being that they offer a unique ecosystem for large institutions, such as higher education schools, most commonly used for educational purposes by teachers and students. In addition, the platform is well suited for both online and face-to-face training, and many use Kaltura to conduct webinars.

Main features.

  • Various security features of Kaltura OVP, including password protection, data encryption, copyright watermarking
  • The three main options for profiting from OTT video: ads, subscriptions, and one-time payments
  • Cloud TV Service
  • Video Loop Function
  • Hidden captions

Advantages

  • Several profit options
  • Can be used for internal business purposes as well as for educational purposes
  • Viewers can easily access
  • Allow bulk uploads

Disadvantages

  • Comes with its own CDN platform, which creates additional cost and complexity
  • Slow upload and processing speed
  • It takes some time to get familiar with how to use
  • Higher latency in mainland China

Vimeo has long offered video-on-demand services for artists and the creative market, but in 2017, they acquired Livestream and launched their own live streaming solution, and the Vimeo Live and Livestream services are independent of each other. It’s a full-featured hosted service that covers video players, live streaming, collaboration tools, distribution/marketing, monetization, analytics and more.

Main features.

  • Vimeo is the one-stop online platform for all your video streaming needs. However, this convenience comes with a hefty pricing strategy, and prices can rise quickly when you add other services to a particular business.

Advantages

  • Easy to use
  • Infinite events and audiences
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Stylish and professional appearance
  • Pay-per-use option
  • Basic privacy settings

Disadvantages

  • Additional costs for profitability
  • Connectivity issues in internally hosted servers
  • Generate less traffic than competitors
  • Higher latency in mainland China

Livestream is a long-time heavyweight player in the video hosting industry, and as mentioned above, they were acquired by Vimeo in 2017, and since then, the two companies have combined their services under the new brand Livestream (Vimeo), which is different from Vimeo Live. This company’s main services include marketing, video management, and lifestream analytics, making it a good choice for professionals who are looking for a versatile platform.

Main features.

  • In addition to its primary video service, Livestream is known for its excellent security, audience interaction and other marketing features.

Advantages

  • Directly with YouTube Cooperation
  • Easy to use for both users and viewers
  • Detailed analysis report
  • First-class security

Disadvantages

  • CDN with limited functionality
  • Periodic pauses in video streaming for software updates
  • Higher latency in mainland China

IBM Cloud Video (formerly known as UStream) is considered one of the most reliable streaming video hosting services, a powerful VOD and live streaming platform, but quite expensive for the features they offer.

Main features.

  • Known for its reliable hosting platform and excellent customer support
  • Delivering video through an internal on-demand service, which some people don’t like

Advantages

  • Reliable hosting platform
  • Suitable for large enterprises
  • Outstanding customer support
  • Powerful broadcasting capabilities

Disadvantages

  • Not using CDN
  • No profit-making tools
  • Access to the platform via API is only available for custom pricing plans

Vidyard is an all-in-one video platform built for businesses, designed to distribute video in a professional and modern way and to help clients take advantage of digital business in an increasingly evolving world. It is the perfect solution for marketing, promoting, and distributing specific video streams with the main purpose of helping you convert viewers into customers.

Main features.

  • Video Hosting
  • Interactive Playback Experience
  • Excellent film search engine
  • Video creation and personalization
  • Email Video
  • Video Playlist
  • Customized video sharing page
  • Video Analytics and Notifications
  • Security Control

Advantages

  • Multiple functions
  • Excellent analysis and data reporting
  • Efficient customer service
  • Active user community

Disadvantages

  • Unfriendly backend experience
  • Inconsistent audience experience
  • Higher latency in mainland China

SproutVideo is a streaming video provider offering live and on-demand hosting services to meet a variety of promotional needs. Pricing plans are relatively simple, but cover a variety of budget levels, making this a best-in-class solution for live and VOD content.

Main features.

  • API Access
  • Live chat support
  • Live Streaming and VOD Hosting
  • Strong privacy and security

Advantages

  • Detailed analysis report
  • Wide range of customization options
  • Pricing plans covering various budget levels

Disadvantages

  • Insufficient SEO-related content in the report
  • Buffering problems due to slow-play caching
  • Limited storage space

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