Comparing The 20 Best Dacast Alternatives, Competitor Pricing and Features in 2025

Online video streaming is more popular than ever. Businesses, schools, and other professional organizations are tapping into this growing trend to connect with their audiences in a way that is convenient and effective.

In order to host professional-grade video content, broadcasters must leverage the support of a professional streaming solution. Dacast is a solution that supports live streaming and video on demand (VOD) hosting. This platform is highly capable and competitively priced.

Although Dacast is the right choice for many, some broadcasters have unique needs and circumstances that call for the support of another live streaming platform.

In this post, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about Dacast and the top 20 Dacast alternatives. We will take a look at the features and pricing of a variety of platforms ranging from free alternatives to high-end streaming solutions. Our goal here is to help you find the video platform that makes the most sense for your online streaming endeavors.

Without further ado, let’s take a close look at what Dacast has to offer to set the stage for our comparison.

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Table of Contents

• What is Dacast?
• Dacast Pricing Plans
• Why Shop Around?
• Factors to Consider When choosing Dacast Video Streaming Alternatives
• Top 20 Dacast Alternatives
• FAQ
• Conclusion

What is Dacast?

Dacast is a unified streaming solution that is built to host online video content for professional broadcasters. Our platform supports both live and on-demand video hosting which makes it the ideal solution for many. Dacast streaming services include secure video uploads, transcoding, and advanced analytics to track content performance.

You can host multiple simultaneous streams, which makes Dacast ideal for conferences, webinars, and other live broadcasts.

Dacast also offers flexibility for those who want to customize their streaming experience or integrate it with other platforms and websites similar to Dacast. 

In addition, our platform offers a range of monetization options to help content creators generate revenue from their video content. 

Some top features from Dacast include:

• Monetization tools (SVOD,  AVOD), and  pay-per-view (TVOD)
• White label and branding control
• Adaptive bitrate streaming to allow multiple streams with varying bitrates
• RTMP Encoder for ingesting  HLS streaming
• Low latency HTML5 channels for video streaming
• Live encoding support for the top video encoders
• Zoom live streaming integration
• Expo galleries video portal
• Unlimited viewers and live channels
• Video security tools for secure streaming
• Global content delivery with strategic CDN partnerships
• Multi-bitrate streaming
• Player API and  Video API access
• 24/7 tech support

New!

• M3U8 file creation capability to enable adaptive streaming delivery of OTT video content across various devices
• Multistreaming capabilities for simulcasting to multiple platforms at once
• Fully integrated RTMP streaming platform features
• AES encryption for secure video streaming
• Multi-user access on Scale and Custom plans
• Zoom live streaming integration for meetings and live events in real-time
• Expo 2.0 galleries video portal for immersive video experiences

Dacast Pricing Plans 

Dacast offers four distinct pricing plans that are suited for broadcasters with a wide variety of budgets and streaming needs. Let’s take a closer look at how each of these live streaming packages compares to one another.

• Starter: $39/month billed annually (includes 2.4 TB bandwidth and 500 GB storage)
• Event: $63/month billed annually (includes 6 TB bandwidth and 250 GB storage)
• Scale: $165/month billed annually (includes 24 TB bandwidth and 2 TB storage)

Custom: contact sales for custom pricing plans

Why Shop Around?

Although we believe that Dacast is an impressive offering in the online streaming space, it may not be the perfect solution for every single broadcaster. Each broadcaster has unique needs and requirements, and it’s important to explore several Dacast web conferencing alternatives to find the best solution for your specific use case.

For example, some broadcasters may need a free service to get started. In this case, Dacast isn’t the answer because our professional offerings come at a cost. $39/month is relatively affordable when compared to some of the other options on the market, but some start-ups simply may not have the budget.

If you’re on a tight budget and only need basic streaming capabilities, there might be cheaper 720p stream alternatives available. 

Factors to Consider When choosing Dacast Video Streaming Alternatives

When considering alternatives to Dacast for your video streaming needs, it’s essential to evaluate several key factors to ensure you select the best platform for your specific requirements. Here are some crucial points to consider:

• Features and Functionality: Does the platform support live streaming, and if so, what quality and features does it offer? Can you host your videos on the platform, or do you need to use a separate storage solution? Also consider other livestreaming features like monetization and analytics.
• Pricing and Cost Structure: One of the most significant factors to consider when choosing a video streaming platform is the pricing structure. Evaluate the various pricing plans offered by different platforms, including base fees, bandwidth costs, storage fees, and any additional charges. Consider your budget and projected usage to determine the most cost-effective option.
• Global Reach and Content Delivery Network (CDN): If your target audience is global, consider the platform’s ability to deliver content efficiently to viewers worldwide. A robust CDN can significantly improve content delivery speeds and reduce latency. Evaluate the platform’s CDN infrastructure and coverage to ensure it can reach your audience effectively.
• Scalability and Performance: As your audience grows and your content library expands, your streaming platform must be able to scale accordingly. Consider the platform’s scalability capabilities, including its ability to handle increased traffic, support high-quality video delivery, and maintain consistent performance during peak usage periods.

Top 20 Dacast Alternatives

There are several powerful streaming platforms on the marketing with unique feature offerings at a variety of price points.

Let’s take a look at the top 20 Dacast competitors. We will compare each based on live streaming, VOD hosting, monetization, security features, white-label streaming, and pricing.

1. Brightcove

If you’re considering Dacast competitors that offer similar features at potentially affordable rates, Brightcove might be worth exploring. 

It is an high-end streaming solution that supports both live and on-demand video hosting. One of its standout capabilities is its multi-bitrate and adaptive streaming technology, which provides a smooth viewing experience across various devices and network conditions.

Key Features: 

• Access to top-tier CDNs for global content delivery
• Multi-bitrate and adaptive bitrate streaming
• Video API access
• Basic tech support
• Advanced security features
• Monetization tools

Pros:

• Custom video player landing pages
• CRM integration available
• Wide range of professional broadcasting features

Cons:

• High pricing
• No China video delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: Determined by user
• Maximum dimension: Determined by user
• Aspect ratio: No restrictions (since Brightcove uses a responsive player)
• Max file size: No limits on files size
• Max video length: No published limits
• Total file storage: Varies by plan
• Compatible video formats: MP4, MOV, FLV, AVI, WMV, MKV, 3GPP

Pricing: 

Brightcove builds custom pricing plans to suit enterprise streaming needs. Please contact their sales department to find out the pricing structure for their live streaming features. 

Here is what we currently know about their pricing structure:

• Basic Plan: Starts at $99 per user per month, which includes core video hosting and management functionalities. This plan is well-suited for businesses with basic video needs, such as small content libraries or internal communications​.
• Enterprise-Level Plans: These plans are highly customizable and include advanced features such as live streaming, in-depth analytics, security options, and robust integrations. Pricing is tailored depending on the specific needs of the business, including audience size, storage requirements, and additional services like video monetization and support​.
• Customization Costs: Enterprises may face additional expenses for features like platform customization, data migration, employee training, and ongoing maintenance. These costs can range from a few thousand dollars to significantly more, depending on the complexity of the requirements​.
• Free Trial: Brightcove offers a free trial for prospective users to test its features before committing to a subscription, which is a helpful option for evaluating its capabilities in real-world scenarios.

2. Kaltura

Kaltura is an open-source streaming platform that is totally customizable through API. Users can integrate just about any program to create the broadcasting experience that works best for them.

Kaltura is known primarily in the education and enterprise spaces. Its customizability makes it quite complex, so it is best suited for advanced broadcasters with development experience or support.

Key Features:

• Multi-bitrate and adaptive video streaming
• Monetization options (SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD) via integrations
• Powerful security features
• Total video and player API access

Pros:

• Completely customizable
• Very few limits on features thanks to integrations
• Well-suited for advanced broadcasters

Cons:

• The “pay-as-you-go” structure often makes it more expensive to use
• Complicated platform
• Not cut out for beginner broadcasters
• Slow-to-respond tech support

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 180p (320 x 180)
• Maximum dimension: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: 2GB
• Max video length: Not available
• Total file storage: 10GB to Unlimited (depends on the plan)
• Compatible video formats: MOV, MP4

Pricing:

Prices are based on the solutions you’re looking for. These billed monthly plans include: 

Webinars:

• Limited trial: $1 for two webinars
• Business: $199/month (or $150/month when billed annually)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Virtual classroom:

• Free trial: 14 days; up to 25 participants per session
• Basic: $19/month (or $17/month when billed annually); up to 8 participants per session and 8 hrs of cloud recording
• Pro: $55/month (or $50/month when billed annually); up to 25 participants per session and 15 hrs of cloud recording
• Business: $125/month (or $115/month when billed annually); up to 100 participants per session and up to 25 hrs of cloud recording
• Business Plus: Custom pricing for up to 300 participants per session, unlimited sessions and custom storage needs

Media Services:

• Annual discounts: Discounted pricing packages available for any scale and use-case, enterprise SLA, and developer support
• Limited trial account: $1 for $100 worth of credits for 30 days for testing and experimentation, with no commitments
• Pay as you go – You pay only for what you use at these credit levels:
• Base plan: $20 one-time annual fee + monthly usage fees

Other services include virtual events, video portal town halls, video messaging, meetings, and more.

3. Muvi

Muvi is a unified streaming solution that supports live and on-demand video hosting for enterprises.

Muvi is significantly more expensive than Dacast, so it is designed for broadcasters with extreme needs and an equally extreme budget.

Muvi can handle massive concurrent streams and large video libraries, making it ideal for events, conferences, and large-scale content distribution.

Key Features:

• Various monetization options
• HTML5 all-device video player
• Dashboard management CMS for naming and organizing content
• Support for video and audio streaming
• Various monetization options
• 24/7 support
• White-label platform
• Multi-device streaming options

Pros:

• Comprehensive monetization options
• High scalability and reliability
• 24/7 customer support
• No coding required
• User-friendly interface
• Strong security features

Cons:

• Advanced features come at a higher price
• Limited third-party integrations
• Steep learning curve for beginners

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 144p (256 x 144)
• Maximum dimension: 4K (3840  x2160)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: not available
• Max video length: not available
• Total file storage: 1TB, 2TB, 5TB (depending on plan)
• Compatible video formats: MP4, MOV, MKV, FLV, VOB, M4V, AVI, 3GP, MPG

Pricing:

Muvi has a very wide spectrum of pricing plans divided in 7 categories, namely One, Live, Flex, Player SDK, Playout, TV, and Alie.

The pricing for the Muvi One category includes the following plans:

• Standard: $399/month
• Professional: $1,499/month
• Enterprise: $3,900/month
• Ultimate: Contact sales for price

Each plan has different features, such as the number of concurrent users, hosting options, and add-ons like the Alie recommendation engine.

The pricing breakdown for the Muvi Live plans is as followed:

• Standard: $99/month
• Professional: $299/month
• Enterprise: $799/month

Each plan includes unlimited events and meetings, Ad-free high quality Streaming, enterprise grade security, and custom branding.

Muvi Flex includes the following plans :

• Standard: $199/month
• Professional: $899/month
• Enterprise: $2,899/month

Each plan includes unlimited content and views, with varying features like the number of concurrent users, hosting options, and customization availability.

The Muvi Player SDK pricing includes the following:

• Pay as You Go: $0/month + $0.001 per view (first 100 views are free)
• Enterprise: $499/month + $0.001 per view (first 100,000 views are free each month). You’ll also need to pay $99/month for each additional platform.

Muvi Playout includes the following plans:

• Standard: $199/month
• Professional: $499/month
• Enterprise: $1,999/month

These plans differ in features such as the number of concurrent viewers, channels, and customization options. The Enterprise plan also offers dedicated servers.

The Muvi TV pricing category has only one Standard plan. You’ll have to pay  $9/month and an additional 9% flat commission on content sales. This plan supports global distribution, and features include unlimited content, views, and the ability to publish and monetize quickly.

And the seventh and last category is Muvi Alie which includes the following plans:

• Standard: $199/month
• Professional: $899/month
• Enterprise: $1,499/month

These plans differ in features such as ingestion features, training and recommendation requests.

4. JW Player

If you’re looking for Dacast competitors or websites similar to Dacast with robust web conferencing capabilities and support for 720p streaming, JW Player is a viable option.

JW Player started as part of YouTube’s original video player and has since developed into a full-blown streaming platform. JW Player supports live and on-demand streaming.

It offers a range of pricing options to cater to different types of broadcasters. For beginner streamers, it has low-cost plans that provide essential features. For high-volume streaming, JW Player offers custom-priced plans tailored to the specific needs of the broadcaster.

Key Features:

• Global content delivery
• Video API access with all plans
• Ad-based monetization
• Multi-bitrate and adaptive streaming
• Some technical support is available

Pros:

• High-quality video player
• Clean user-interface

Cons:

• Limited monetization options (Only supports AVOD)
• Limited tech support
• No China delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 360p (640 x 360)
• Maximum dimension: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3, 2.39:1
• Max file size: 25GB
• Max video length: Not available
• Total file storage: 25GB to 500GB (depending on the plan)
• Compatible video formats: MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, 3GP, FLV

Pricing: 

JW Player essentially offers 4 pricing tiers:

• Stream: This plan offers video delivery, asset management, instant and broadcast live
• Play: This plan offers cloud hosting, HTML5 Player, OTT apps, and mobile SDKs
• Engage: Take advantage of real-time analytics, recommendations, article matching, and custom reports
• Monetize: Use tools like ad insertion, player bidding, outstream ads, and studio DRM

5. StreamYard

StreamYard is a simple live streaming platform. It is a good option for broadcasters with relatively small budgets but the need for some professional features.

The biggest downside of this platform is its lack of VOD support. This means you can’t upload your live streams for on-demand playback. The ability to upload your streams for on-demand playback is very valuable for broadcasters, so this may be an inconvenience to some.

Additionally, while StreamYard offers reliable streaming, it mostly supports 720p resolution, which might not be enough for those seeking 720p stream alternatives with higher quality options. 

Key Features:

StreamYard uses in-browser streaming technology. This provides a wide range of functionality without any downloads necessary. The brand customization features on StreamYard are some of the most valuable.

You can also use the platform for multistreaming and directly stream to top platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Detailed Features:

• Custom branding
• Graphic overlays
• Simulcast to social media platforms
• Multiple on-screen presenters
• Screen sharing 
• Audience engagement tools

Pros:

• Simple to use
• Engaging
• Great for collaborative streams

Cons:

• Very basic platform 
• No monetization
• No VOD
• Limited browser compatibility 

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• StreamYard does not publish upload guidelines and specs.

Pricing:

StreamYard has changed its pricing plans as of late 2024. Here are the annual prices and what they include:

• Core: $431.88/month with unlimited viewers, streaming, and local recording, 2 seats, 3 multistreaming destinations, and more.
• Advanced: $827.88/month with unlimited viewers, streaming, and local recording, 4 seats, 8 multistreaming destinations, and more.
• Teams: $2,867.88/month with unlimited viewers, streaming, and local recording, 10 seats, 8 multistreaming destinations, and more.

StreamYard is great for businesses without a dedicated IT team to support live streaming events. There is no need for additional software or to download anything. They offer unique branding, with the ability to add your logo, colors, overlays, images, and GIFs to the video player. Up to 10 different people can broadcast at once, and they support audience interactions.

6. Restream

Restream is a viable alternative among Dacast streaming services for those wanting to simplify their workflow while maintaining quality broadcasts.

The main functionality of Restream is simulcasting, which is streaming to multiple destinations simultaneously. However, the company’s Restream Studio offers in-browser live streaming support.

Restream can be used alongside Dacast or as an alternative for organizations that have minimal broadcasting needs.

Key Features:

• In-browser streaming
• Multistreaming capabilities 
• Features for boosting engagement
• Peer-to-peer streaming support
• Tools for audience interaction
• Brand customization
• Scheduled events

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Tools for collaboration
• On-brand streaming
• Tools for audience engagement 

Cons:

• Not a dedicated streaming platform
• In-browser streaming is secondary to live-stream hosting

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Recommended dimension: 1920 ×1080
• Aspect ratio: Unavailable
• Max file size: 2GB (for pre-recorded streams)
• Max video length: 1-4 hours (depends on plan)
• Total file storage: 10 videos
• Compatible video formats: MP4, MKV, M4V, MOV

Pricing:

Restream has several pricing plans for both individuals and businesses. These include the following plans:

• Free: $0/month (for individuals) with 2-channel multistreaming
• Standard: $16/month (for individuals) with 3-channel multistreaming
• Professional: $39/month (for individuals) with 5-channel multistreaming
• Business: $199/month (for businesses) with 8-channel multistreaming
• Enterprise: Custom pricing and solutions for media and corporate teams

These prices reflect monthly rates when paid monthly, but discounts are available when you pay a full year in advance.

7. Streamshark

Streamshark is an innovative streaming platform that offers support for a wide range of online video streaming functionality. 

With Streamshark, you can access VOD (Video on Demand), live streaming, and 360-degree streaming. Additionally, it supports peer-to-peer streaming, which ensures efficient and reliable content delivery, even during high-traffic events.

The only major setback of streaming with Streamshark is that it does not support video monetization. This may be a concern for content creators who rely on streaming services for revenue generation. 

Key Features:

Their live event platform offers users the ability to efficiently and reliably manage the different phases of an event’s stream while ensuring maximum reach and reliability of the live stream via its multi-vendor approach and HLS ingests. Additionally, the company focuses overall on providing global video CDN services. If you have a global audience you need to reach, it is one of the top live streaming platforms. 

With the Enterprise package, your business can access advanced features such as peer-to-peer delivery to reduce bandwidth load on corporate networks when conducting a live stream for employees. They also offer end-to-end encryption and 360-degree 4K streams.

Detailed Features:

• Global coverage via a multi-CDN network
• Mobile-compatibility
• Detailed viewer reports
• Customizable live streaming video player
• Privacy controls
• Advertising and customer support
• Multi-CDN

Pros:

• Localized media ingestion
• Video Encoding
• Redistribution
• Increased storage space

Cons:

• No Channel support
• No embeddable playlists
• Fair to no video analytics
• No China video delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 240p (426 x 240)
• Maximum dimension: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: not available
• Max video length: not available
• Total file storage: 500GB, 1TB, 3TB
• Compatible video formats: HLS, WebM VP9, WebM VP8, WebM VP9 DASH, MP4

Pricing:

Monthly live streaming plans with StreamShark begin at $199 per month and include the following:

• Standard: $199/month; includes 1,000 GB of bandwidth; 500 GB of VOD storage an additional overage of $0.10 per GB
• Team: $499/month; includes 4,000 GB of bandwidth; 2,000 GB of storage, and lowers per GB overage prices to $0.09 per GB
• Business: $999/month; includes 9,000 GB of bandwidth; 5,000 GB of storage, and reduces the overage to $0.08 per GB
• Enterprise: Please contact StreamShark for their custom enterprise solutions. These plans include 4k streams, white-glove stream monitoring, enterprise viewer home page, single sign-on SSO support and more.

StreamShark caters both to small and medium size businesses with their monthly live streaming package, and to large corporations that need to host big corporate events. They offer a range of online live streaming packages for businesses.

8. IBM Video Streaming

IBM Video Streaming is a streaming solution reigning from the IBM technology empire. This software is quite powerful and definitely comparable to Dacast. 

It offers various online video streaming functionalities, making it a strong option for those seeking Dacast web conferencing alternatives. However, it comes at a much higher price point and has some limitations when it comes to monetization.

One of the standout features is the ability to create live playlists with looping. You can schedule videos to playback at specific times or set them to loop automatically. This feature is great for simulating live broadcasts, giving your viewers the feel of a live event even when it’s pre-recorded. 

Key Features:

• Powerful video analytics
• Tools for boosting user engagement (including polling)
• Auto-archiving
• Powerful content delivery
• Tools for video monetization

Pros:

• Tools suited for business use
• Customer support
• Hong Kong video hosting

Cons:

• Extra fees for streaming at high resolution
• Limited tools for accessibility (minimal closed captioning support)

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 480p (480 x 270)
• Maximum dimension:  4K (3840 x 2160)
• Aspect ratio: No published aspect ratio
• Max file size: 4 GB
• Max video length: No published limits
• Total file storage: 1TB – 5TB (depends on plan)
• Compatible video formats: MKV, MP4, MOV, FLV, AVI, WMV, MPEG2, H264, H263, MPEG4, VP6, VP8, THEORA, WMV, MP3, AAC-LC, NELLYMOSER, PCM, SPEEX, VORBIS, WMA

Pricing:

IBM pricing plans range from $137 to $1380 per month and include the following:

• • Start Trial – Video Streaming: Give it a free test drive for 30 days
  • Silver: Affordable Essentials, 100 viewer hours, 5 channels, 1 TB video storage, starting at $145/month
  • Gold: Standard business features, 2,000 viewer hours, 10 channels, 2 TB video storage, starting at $729/month
  • Platinum: Premium Volume scale, 5,000 viewer hours, 20 channels, 5 TB video storage, starting at $1,460/month
  • Custom: Please contact IBM Cloud video for custom plan pricing as well as payment plans

9. Cincopa

Cincopa is a multimedia hosting platform that supports the upload of audio files, video content, images, and more. This functionality is a bit different from Dacast, and it is better suited for users who need multimedia hosting support. 

With Cincopa, you can live-stream townhalls, webinars, or meetings directly from your account. You can also add clickable elements to your videos, such as CTAs, captions, and lead generation forms, making your content more interactive and engaging. 

Key Features:

Cincopa provides all of the features that broadcasters need for a professional streaming experience, including video monetization, stream recording, OTT streaming, powerful content delivery, and more.

Another perk of this streaming solution is that it supports integrations for a customizable streaming experience.

Detailed Features:

• Multimedia hosting
• Live streaming support 
• Powerful video player
• Video monetization
• Integrations for customization
• OTT streaming
• Reliable CDN partnerships
• Secure streaming

Pros:

• High-quality streaming
• Professional streaming experience
• Wide range of useful tools
• Customizable streaming
• Reliable customer support 

Cons:

• Live streaming is a secondary offering
• Some complaints of media storage limits

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 144p
• Maximum dimension: 4K
• Aspect ratio: 4:3, 16:9
• Max file size: 1, 2, 20GB (depending on the plan)
• Max video length: not available
• Total file storage: 5 videos, 40 videos, unlimited videos (depending on the plan)
• Compatible video formats: AVI, MOV, WMV, MP4, M4A, F4A,  F4B, F4V, F4P, M2TS, MTS, VOB, MKV, RMVB, M1V, QT, DIV, DIVX, DV, 3GP, 3GPP, 3G2, MPG, MPEG, MPE, FLV

Pricing:

Cincopa offers four pricing plans for multimedia hosting:

• Plus: $25/month; 50 videos, 75 audio/podcast files, 1 TB monthly traffic
• Corporate: $99/month; 250 videos, 300 audio/podcast files, 2 TB monthly traffic
• Enterprise: $350/month; unlimited videos, audio/podcast files, and monthly traffic
• Custom Enterprise: Custom pricing; dedicated account manager, SSO

Contact Cincopa’s sales team for detailed information on the Custom Enterprise plan where you can optimize your media strategy as per your business growth.

Cincopa is an image and podcast hosting platform that supports live streaming. If you need all three of those video live streaming services in one place, they may be the right platform for your business.

10. Wistia

If you’re searching for Dacast competitors that’s focused on video on demand (VOD), Wistia is a great option. Unlike some other Dacast web conferencing alternatives that are focused on video hosting and broadcasting, Wistia offers tools that cater specifically for video marketing for businesses.

With its easy embedding feature, you can generate embed codes automatically, ensuring a fast and responsive video wherever it’s needed. You only need to copy and paste the code onto your webpage.

Wistia also offers a customizable player that gives you full control over streamers’ viewing experience. You can change the logo, thumbnail, color, and shape of the player to better suit your brand and audience.

Key Features:

• Support for marketing (SEO and engagement stimulators)
• Top-tier customer service
• CRM integrations for a streamlined broadcasting experience

Pros:

• Insightful video analytics
• Marketing team collaboration is possible thanks to CRM integrations
• Professional-looking video player

Cons:

• Limitations on brand customization
• No China delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimensions: None
• Maximum dimensions: Maximum of 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Supported aspect ratios: Any
• Maximum file size: 8 GB
• Maximum video length: 2 hours
• Total file storage: Up to 10 videos with the pro plan ($99 per month), $0.25 per month for every extra video
• Accepted video formats: MP4 (recommended format), .MOV, .AVI, .WMV, .FLV, .MKV, 3GPP

Pricing:

Wistia has five pricing plan tiers, with a 20% discount when billed annually:

• Free: No cost to use; up to 250 subscribers and 3 videos; cannot remove Wistia’s branding from the video player; 15 minutes maximum webcam recording time
• Plus: $19/month; 30 minutes maximum webcam recording time; video SEO; option to remove Wisita branding; $2.00 for extra media costs
• Pro: $79/month; 60 minutes maximum webcam recording time; supports up to five channels; $1.00 for extra media costs; Google analytics integration; white-label video player
• Advanced: $319/month; supports unlimited number of channels; A/B testing features; live chat and priority support; $0.50 for extra media costs; 60 minutes screen and webcam recording time
• Enterprise: there are also business solutions with custom pricing; supports an unlimited number of users; 60 minutes screen and webcam recording time; $0.25 for extra media costs; custom pricing for live event additional costs.

11. Wowza

Wowza offers several solutions for broadcasters that support both live and on-demand streaming. Wowza’s plans are a bit on the expensive side, so they are best suited for broadcasters with a hefty budget.

Whether you are looking to power your streaming application or need low-latency streaming, Wowza has you covered among other Dacast competitors. It supports video on demand (VOD), interactive live streaming, and live broadcast and OTT streaming. 

Additionally, Wowza offers live video monitoring and surveillance, ensuring your streams are secure and run smoothly. 

Key Features:

• Cloud transcoding
• Support for live streaming and VOD
• White-label video player
• All-device streaming with an HTML5 video player
• API access available
• Reliable customer support

Pros:

• Brand customization tools
• Auto-archiving
• Powerful video CMS
• Ultra HD streaming (4K)
• Wide range of security options

Cons:

• No simulcasting tools
• No support for video monetization
• No reliable video analytics tools

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 240p (320 x 240)
• Maximum dimension: 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: Not available
• Max video length: Not available
• Total file storage: 250 GB (depends on the plan)
• Compatible video formats: MP4, FLV, MP3, SMIL, AMLST, ID3, NGRP

Pricing:

Wowza offers two main tiers: Streaming Cloud and Streaming Engine.

The Wowza Streaming Cloud offers four distinct pricing plans and services. Live Event Pricing, monthly plans include:

• Pay As You Go: $0 per month only pay for usage at a rate of $2.50 per streaming hour and $0.10 per viewer hour
• One Month of Streaming: $149 one-time purchase; includes 15 hours of live streaming and 500 viewing hours
• Plans built for your needs: Best for large audiences and large volume videos, but you should contact Wowza for custom pricing

All the Live Event plans reflect rates when paid monthly and include full brand control, multi-bitrate streaming, and UHD and HD streaming.

The Wowza Streaming Engine has its own professional-grade streaming plans billed annually and includes:

• Basic Monthly: $195/month with the first instance included (Additional instances $195)
• One Month Streaming: $295/month with the first instance included (Additional instances $295)

Enterprise Plans built for your needs: Best for large audiences and large volumes, but you should contact Wowza for custom pricing

12. Vidyard

Vidyard offers unified streaming support for both businesses and individuals, and it has specialized solutions in video hosting for marketing, SaaS, finance, and telecommunication.

This platform is a bit different from Dacast since Dacast is purely geared towards professional organizations. Vidyard simplifies video creation with its AI Script Generator, making the planning process quick. You can manage and analyze a growing library of demos, webinars, and sales videos with ease.

To maximize viewer engagement, Vidyard offers tools to optimize your videos and advanced analytics to identify, track, and convert your audience.

Key Features:

• Marketing tools (SEO, lead generation, email capture)
• Tools that promote viewer engagement
• Advanced video content management
• Gold-standard security

Pros:

• Tools for an advanced broadcasting experience
• Powerful video analytics
• Reliable technical support

Cons:

• Inconsistent positive user reviews
• No support for China video delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 360p (480 x 360)
• Maximum dimension: 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: 5GB to 16GB (depending on the plan)
• Max video length: 1 hour (live stream)
• Total file storage: Not available
• Compatible video formats: WEBM, MP4, MKV, MOV

Pricing:

Vidyard prices its platform based on the use case and includes the following packages:

Packages for Individuals and Teams:

• Free: $0/month; limited video recording, up to 30 minutes video recording length
• Plus: $59/month, billed annually; Unlimited video recording, hosting, and recording lengths
• Business: Custom pricing, with add-ons available

Check out Vidyard’s pricing plans for more information.

13. Hippo Video

Among other top websites similar to Dacast, Hippo Video is an all-in-one video streaming solution for creating and streaming interactive videos. It is designed to help businesses spice up their sales processes with engaging video content. 

The platform offers special solutions for real estate, tech, healthcare, insurance, tourism, and a few other industries.

It is a great choice for streaming-based businesses that are only looking to use video for sales.

Key Features:

• Video creation and editing
• Screen recording and teleprompter
• Integrations
• Video personalization
• Hosting and sharing

Pros:

• Intuitive and user-friendly interface
• Comprehensive video tools
• Seamless sales integration
• AI-driven tools
• Versatile use case
• Detailed analytics

Cons:

• Not the most affordable option
• Limited advanced editing features
• Limited storage capacity
• Learning curve for some features

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 480p
• Maximum dimension: 1080p
• Max file size: 3 GB
• Max video length: Depending on the chosen plan
• Total file storage: Limited, depending on the plan

Pricing:

Hippo Video’s pricing structure offers a variety of solutions for different use cases. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing:

• Free: $0; includes 2 video flows, 10 minutes of closed captions, 5 videos – AI editor, 2 sales page templates
• Pro: $20/month; includes 5 video flows, 30 minutes of closed captions, 10 videos – AI editor, 5 sales page templates
• Teams: $60/month; includes 15+ video flows, 200 minutes of closed captions, 50 videos – AI editor, 15 sales page templates
• Enterprise: $80/month; includes unlimited video flows, unlimited minutes of closed captions, unlimited videos – AI editor, unlimited sales page templates

Text-to-Video is the second pricing category offered by Hippo Video that includes the following plans:

• Free: For $0 you get 3 video downloads, single-user workspace, AI trust and safety, and Pay-as-you-go ($5 for each video creation).
• Starter: $24/month/user. It’s designed for individuals creating videos and includes 10 video downloads, single-user workspace, AI trust and safety, and Pay-as-you-go ($5 for each video creation).
• Creator: For $69/month/user, individuals and teams scaling video content creation will get unlimited video downloads, multi-user workspace, and video translation.
• Enterprise: Users of this plan can produce studio-quality content with enterprise-grade security. Contact the Hippo sales team to get a customized plan and price.

Hippo Video also has special pricing plans for Personalization and Education. Users can contact Hippo Video directly for recorder API pricing.

14. Panopto

Panopto is another Dacast alternative that is used primarily for internal streaming for educational purposes. It is used by both schools that want to stream lectures and enterprises that want to create online training platforms. 

Although it might not have the same reach as Dacast streaming services, Panopto offers specialized tools for those looking for websites similar to Dacast but focused on education and training.

Key Features:

• Video cloud solutions
• Live streaming and recording
• Video content management
• Mobile-ready solution
• Lecture-capture and video-search software
• Video analytics
• Access control & security features
• White-label streaming
• Integration with LMS systems
• APIs for further integrations
• Seamless integration with learning management systems
• Switch between slides and webcam
• Good features organize your live streams into specific lectures/ files after the stream ends
• Session recording and creating videos for watching on-demand

Pros:

• Panopto offers custom branding, allowing you to create a video player that reflects your brand
• They have regional cloud infrastructure, allowing for strong storage support
• They offer China video hosting
• You can update user permissions during or after the live broadcast without damaging the video link or other issues
• Videos automatically upload to the folder they need to be in if you’ve selected the source before. You don’t have to manually input the settings or choose the playlist for each live video. It saves the teacher’s time and makes things easy for students.
• The mobile app is a handy tool for all age groups

Cons:

• No version control
• No SEO management
• Steep learning curve
• Responding to questions from your audience can be complex if you’re live-streaming and presenting at the same time
• Editing tools are subpar compared to other cloud streaming services

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 240p (426 x 240)
• Maximum dimension: 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max video length: Information not available
• Total file storage: Information not available
• Compatible video formats: AVI, MP4, MPG, WMV, MOV, QT, ASF, 3GP, WMA, MP3, M4V, and more.

Pricing:

Please contact Panopto for their custom pricing plans as these are not included in the company website. You can also schedule a demo before committing. 

After establishing a contract, you have access to unlimited streaming and storage. However, this aspect may represent a potential downside for some streamers as Panopto does not handle any external-facing video content.

15. Vimeo

As we mentioned, some broadcasters opt to start small due to budget constraints or other reasons. Vimeo is an acceptable Dacast alternative for broadcasters with minimal needs.

Vimeo started as a consumer-grade platform, like YouTube, and has since shifted into a more professional space. It provides essential video hosting, basic live streaming, and simple video editing tools, making it a good choice for those who don’t need sophisticated features. It offers tools for video management, privacy settings, and even video analytics.

Key Features:

• Cloud-based video hosting
• Small-scale streaming solution
• Text and graphic overlay
• Collaboration and interaction tools
• Social share options
• Flexible storage options

Pros:

Vimeo is simple to use, even if you are not a techie. They offer low-budget options so that small organizations can use the platform as easily as larger organizations. At the same time, the interface is very professional.

• User-friendly interface with simple navigation
• Great in-class security and privacy settings
• Good video playback quality
• You can embed your live stream video using this cloud streaming platform on your website.

Cons:

• Some issues with connection to an internal server
• No China video delivery
• Limited live streaming and video hosting capabilities
• Requires you to be tech-savvy to take full advantage of its features and have everything running smoothly
• The live event management system is pricier than other services and lacks robust features you’ll find on other platforms
• Buffering times are longer than other cloud video services
• You can’t convert the text in English to other languages.

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Recommended dimension: 720p (1280 x 720)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: 3GB
• Max video length: Information not available
• Total file storage: Information not available
• Compatible video formats: MP4 (recommended)

Pricing:

Vimeo offers basic video hosting plans that are suitable for content creators and startups. These include:

Pricing if billed monthly, is as follows:

• Free: $0/month; 1 GB storage, creation and editing, screen recording
• Starter: $20/month; 100 GB storage, auto closed captioning, custom URLs and video player, privacy tools
• Standard: $41/month; 1 TB storage, engagement and social analytics, AI script generator, teleprompter, brand kit
• Advanced: $108/month; 5 TB storage, stream to multiple destinations, host live broadcasts and webinars, AI-generated chapters and text summaries
• Enterprise: Custom pricing; more storage and bandwidth, advanced AI capabilities, quality events, dedicated support

Vimeo is great if you want to maximize the usage of your content by turning your live streams into VOD content. 

VIMEO OTT

Vimeo’s OTT solution is priced separately from the regular Vimeo packages. There are two plans: Starter and Enterprise.

• Starter Pricing: $1/subscriber per month
• Enterprise Pricing: Please contact Vimeo for custom pricing information

16. Livestream

A few years back, Vimeo acquired Livestream. Vimeo adopted the Livestream technology as part of its own platform, but the company still sells higher-end plans with more advanced broadcasting functionality under the Livestream name.

Livestream includes the functionality of Vimeo plus access to more professional features, targeting users who need advanced live streaming capabilities. While Vimeo provides an excellent video hosting platform and sharing options, Livestream enhances the experience with flawless adaptive streaming. This ensures your viewers get the best video quality across all devices, even with limited bandwidth.

You can centralize all your live and on-demand videos, build secure viewing destinations, and even monetize your content. Livestream also shines in live production graphics and tools. 

You can create custom registration forms, add lower-thirds, transitions, and logos to your broadcasts, and keep your audience engaged with features like moderated chat, Q&A, and live polls.

Key Features: 

In addition to its primary video services, Livestream is known for its excellent security, audience interaction, and additional marketing capabilities.

Livestream is slightly more expensive than Vimeo Live. But this streaming video provider allows you to share content on Facebook Live, YouTube, Periscope, Twitch, and LinkedIn.

You can use Livestream on Apple devices, Windows, and Android.

Pros: 

• Works directly with Youtube
• Easy-to-use for both users and viewer
• Detailed analytics
• Top-notch security
• Conveniently create recurring live stream events in advance and market them to your target audience
• Seamless integration with RTMP applications

Cons:

• Limited CDN capabilities
• Regular pauses in streaming for software updates
• No China delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

**Since Vimeo now owns Livestream, these specs overlap:

• Recommended dimension: 720p (1280 x 720)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: 3GB
• Max video length: Information not available
• Total file storage: Information not available
• Compatible video formats: MP4 (recommended)

Pricing:

Vimeo Livestream offers three main pricing plans, including:

Vimeo Advanced:

• Advanced Pricing: $65/seat/month, billed annually
• Advanced plan includes both live video streaming as a service and VOD. This plan is the way to go for professional broadcasting.

Vimeo Enterprise:

• Enterprise Pricing: Please contact Vimeo for custom pricing information
• The Enterprise plan includes enhanced privacy and security (including SSO, geo blocking, and IP restrictions), enterprise CDN, and a dedicated account manager.

Vimeo OTT:

• Starter Pricing: $1/subscriber per month (or 10% of one-time purchases)
• Enterprise Pricing: Contact sales
• The OTT-specific pricing packages come with the Vimeo.com relationship. These plans include all the basics for starting your web-based OTT channel and growing your OTT business online.

For more details, check out our comprehensive guide to Vimeo Livestream pricing.

17. YouTube

YouTube is a consumer-grade Dacast alternative that is owned and operated by Google. It is mostly used for VOD hosting, but there is some support for live streaming.

One of YouTube’s standout features is its social aspect, which allows content creators to build a community, interact with viewers, and foster engagement. 

This is a significant advantage over other websites similar to Dacast, as YouTube’s familiar interface and massive user base provide an easy way to attract and maintain an audience

Detailed Features:

• Ad-based monetization is limited to users with large followings and watch times
• No notable security features
• Popular among consumers
• Powered by Google
• Easy to share videos
• Videos can be embedded in other websites
• No white-label capabilities

Pros:

• Free to use
• YouTube is a household name, so viewers are comfortable using it
• Easy to use (for both viewers and broadcasters)
• Easy to embed video player
• Live and VOD hosting

Cons:

• Cannot remove YouTube Live branding
• Limitations on live streaming
• Strict restrictions on content. For example, if there’s a popular song playing in the background, your video can be abruptly taken down for copyright reasons.
• YouTube Live owns partial rights to your content. For example, if you rely on in-video sponsorships, you may be forced to start giving a cut of your revenue to YouTube in the future.
• Distracting third-party in-stream ads and branding
• YouTube Live will suggest the videos of competitors off to the side, which can drive away potential fans

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 240p (426 x 240)
• Maximum dimension: 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 (adds padding to videos with other aspect ratios)
• Max file size: 128 GB
• Max video length: 12 hours
• Total file storage: No storage limit
• Compatible video formats: MP4, MOV, MPEG4, FLV, AVI, Web M, WMV, MPEG-PS, 3GPP

Pricing:

YouTube is a free platform that allows you to broadcast videos, live stream events, and monetize live videos. However, that free tag comes with a cost, as you don’t have complete control over your content that a professional-grade live streaming platform can offer your business.

18. Dailymotion

Dailymotion is a France-based video streaming platform that is very similar to YouTube.

One interesting benefit of Dailymotion is a partnership program for Developers and Publishers that give broadcasters access to more professional streaming features. Membership to this program is designated on an application basis.

Key Features:

• Infrastructure for video streaming
• Consumer-grade platform with some professional capabilities
• Specialized tools for developers and partners
• Integrates with many gaming platforms
• Localized to 35 countries and 18 languages
• Offers closed captions and privacy options to limit access to your videos.

Pros:

• DailyMotion offers unlimited streaming bandwidth and video cloud storage if you have lots of video content
• They have a free plan, allowing you to use the platform if you have small video streaming needs
• Through their partnership with Huawei, they offer China video delivery, providing you with support for true global streaming
• It’s easy to integrate various tools with Dailymotion. The self-service resources are helpful if you run into any trouble

Cons:

• Limited support for private cloud video hosting
• Not suited for all professional broadcasters
• The dashboard has many unprofessional ads, especially for bigger businesses and brands
• The Smart TV version doesn’t always work
• You have limited options to edit or customize a video to improve the viewer’s experience while uploading
• The multi-platform support is lacking
• The analytics feature is incredibly limited compared to the other HLS streaming software mentioned in this article

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 240p (426 x 240)
• Maximum dimension: 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 (adds padding to videos with other aspect ratios)
• Max file size: 128GB
• Max video length: 12 hours
• Total file storage: Unlimited
• Compatible video formats: MOV, MPEG4, MP4, AVI, WMV,  MPEG-PS, FLV, 3GPP, WebM

Pricing:

DailyMotion is free to use, but users can apply for their partner program for advanced broadcasting capabilities.

19. Twitch

Twitch is a live streaming app that doubles as a social media platform. When Twitch was founded 9 years ago, it went by the name Justin.tv. Justin.tv no longer exists, and the original platform was spun off and sold to Amazon.

Viewers can subscribe to their favorite streamers so that they are alerted when they go live.

Basic Functionality:

Twitch.tv is a consumer-grade platform for independent streamers, and it is especially popular among Esports (video game) streamers.

This site is pretty niche, but it is a great platform if you are trying to reach an audience in the gaming, fantasy, or tech industry.

Key Features:

Twitch is a social network that is primarily meant for Esport live streaming. It’s a great platform for streamers and individuals to quickly gain a large audience and might also be helpful for gaming brands as you can partner with influencers on the platform to grow your reach.

Detailed Features:

• Viewers can “Tip” streamers
• Primarily used by streamers who broadcast gaming and special interests/hobbies
• Tools for an audience to chat with streamers and each other in real-time

Pros:

• Affordable
• Relatively easy for beginners to use 
• Tools for engagement and community interaction
• Robust chatting features
• Several monetization options

Cons:

• Not designed for professional use
• It May require some encoding tools
• Limited monetization tools
• Strict community guidelines
• Several monetization options, but you need to qualify first by becoming a Twitch Partner or Affiliate.

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 720p (1280 x 720)
• Maximum dimension: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
• Max file size: Not available
• Max video length: 48 hours
• Total file storage: Not available
• Compatible video formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, FLV

Pricing:

Twitch does not charge content providers to use their platform, but they allow them to make money off of their users. This program is called Twitch Subscriptions, and it includes three tiers:

• Tier 1 subscription: $4.99/month
• Tier 2 subscription: $9.99/month
• Tier 3 subscription: $24.99/month

If you run a gaming business, Twitch is a great live streaming platform. You can also connect a professional streaming service to Twitch for greater functionality and control over your stream.

20. Facebook

Facebook is a popular social media platform that many businesses, organizations, and creators use when they are just starting out.

Facebook supports live and on-demand video streaming via Facebook Live and Facebook Watch, respectively. Users with personal profiles, business pages, or groups can use Facebook Live, but only business pages can use Facebook Watch.

One nice thing about Facebook is that since it is a social media platform, it is equipped with tools for engagement and community building.

In addition to using Facebook’s native streaming tools, it is common for broadcasters to use Facebook in unison with one of the professional tools we’ve mentioned above via simulcasting technology. Simulcasting allows you to stream to both the video player on your live streaming website or app and other platforms at the same time. The purpose of doing so is to reach a larger audience.

Key Features: 

Facebook is a social media platform with tools for uploading and sharing videos to online communities, so it also serves as a video streaming provider. Here are some of its detailed features.

• Facebook Live & Watch
• Business Groups & Pages
• Easy video sharing
• Live engagement tools
• Some business tools

Pros: 

• The site and app are free to use
• Popular among consumers
• Live chat promotes engagement
• Allows you to reach your existing following

Cons:

• No monetization options
• Time constraints on live videos
• Cannot remove Facebook’s branding

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: 720p (1280×720)
• Maximum dimension: 1080p (1920×1080)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9, 9:16, 2:3, 4:5, 1:1
• Max file size: 4 GB
• Max video length: 90 minutes
• Total file storage: No storage limit
• Compatible video formats: MP4, MOV, MPEG4, AVI, 3GPP, WMV, FLV, MKV

Pricing:

• Facebook live is free to use, but content streaming is supported with ads.

FAQ

1. What is the alternative to 720pstream?

720pstream is a streaming website that provides various content. If you’re looking for alternatives, consider these popular options:

• YouTube
• Netflix
• Hulu
• Amazon Prime Video
• Disney+

2. Is 720p good quality for streaming?

Yes, 720p is generally considered good quality for streaming. It offers a decent level of detail and clarity, making it suitable for most viewers. However, if you have a high-resolution display and prefer a more immersive experience, you might consider streaming in higher resolutions like 1080p or 4K.

3. What is Dacast used for?

Dacast is a cloud-based live streaming platform that provides a range of features for businesses and organizations. It can be used for:

• Live streaming events: Hosting live webinars, conferences, or product launches
• Video on demand (VOD): Storing and distributing pre-recorded videos
• Interactive streaming: Adding features like polls, Q&A sessions, and chat to live streams
• Monetization: Integrating payment gateways to generate revenue from video content

4. What are some DaCast competitors for live streaming services?

While Dacast is a popular choice, there are other websites that offer similar live streaming services, including:

• Brightcove
• Kaltura
• Muvi
• JW Player
• StreamYard
• Restream
• Streamshark
• IBM Cloud Video
• Cincopa
• Wistia

5. What are some enhanced security features offered by live streaming platforms?

Many live streaming platforms prioritize user safety and offer features like:

• Password Protection: Restrict access to live streams with password-protected logins, ensuring only authorized viewers can participate.
• Secure Paywalls: Protect revenue streams by implementing secure payment gateways and encryption for financial transactions.
• DRM (Digital Rights Management): Prevent unauthorized content distribution and piracy by encrypting videos and controlling access.
• Watermarking: Embed unique identifiers or logos into videos to track unauthorized distribution and copyright infringement.
• SSL/TLS Encryption: Secure data transmission between the platform and users, protecting sensitive information.
• Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of verification.
• DDoS Protection: Safeguard against Distributed Denial of Service attacks that can disrupt live streams.

Conclusion

There are many powerful video streaming solutions on the market. The variety of unique combinations of features and pricing plans gives broadcasted a lot to think about as they search for the perfect platform.

As you compare platforms, we urge you to keep your business’s streaming goals and feature requirements at the forefront. Dacast and the other platforms we’ve compared are all great options, but what it comes down to is finding one that works for you.

We recommend taking advantage of free trials to give you a feel for how different platforms could work for you. 

Start by trying Dacast risk-free for 14 days. Access all of our powerful features and run a trial live stream of your own. Sign up today to get started. No credit card or binding contracts are required.

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