Vimeo OTT Review: Pros and Cons, Pricing and Alternatives [2024 Update]

The Vimeo online video platform was originally launched in 2004, and for most of its existence, Vimeo has catered to the creative market. However, in recent years Vimeo has pivoted towards the B2B sector.

In this article, we’ll review and discuss one major element of this shift: the introduction of the Vimeo OTT platform. We’ll cover what you need to know about Vimeo, the pros and cons of using the platform, pricing, and Vimeo OTT alternatives. Before we dive into Vimeo OTT, we’re going to break down what “OTT” means and why it’s important for broadcasters.

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Table of Contents

• What is OTT?
• What to Know About the Vimeo OTT Service
• Vimeo OTT Pricing
• Pros and Cons of Vimeo OTT
• Vimeo OTT Reviews
• The 10 Best Vimeo OTT Alternatives
  • 1. Dacast
  • 2. Brightcove
  • 3. IBM Cloud Video
  • 4. JW Player
  • 5. Wowza
  • 6. Kaltura
  • 7. Vidyard
  • 8. Muvi
  • 9. SproutVideo
  • 10. Wistia
• FAQs
• Conclusion

What is OTT?

Before we get into the Vimeo OTT solution, it is important to understand what exactly OTT is.

OTT is short for “Over-The-Top.” This new media phenomenon refers to the profusion of internet-based broadcasting. Essentially, refers to video content that is streamed over the internet rather than by satellite or cable.

Netflix is a prime example of a service that uses OTT technology. By 2024, experts predict that 310 million households will subscribe to at least one OTT service.

Overall, global OTT revenue is expected to reach $215 billion by 2029, reflecting a booming market. Countless businesses are investing in online video. Likewise, power players are making moves and niche markets are developing.

The rate of growth has been nothing short of spectacular. Streaming services have achieved a near-universal presence in American homes. 

According to the latest data, an impressive 99% of U.S. households now subscribe to at least one or more OTT streaming services.

We can expect this trend to grow even further with 5G. The coming 5G cell networks will provide speeds roughly 100 times faster than the best available 4G LTE networks.

OTT is already one of the most dominant media markets. The convenience and variety offered by these services have redefined how people access and enjoy entertainment. Within the coming years, OTT can expect to claim the undisputed heavyweight title for mass media.

What to Know About the Vimeo OTT Service

Vimeo, a B2C video-sharing website, purchased the live streaming video provider Livestream in 2017. Although Vimeo has offered a plan aimed at commercial use since 2011, this acquisition marked the next major move in Vimeo’s B2B pivot.

Today, Vimeo offers VOD and live stream hosting on both the original Vimeo platform and the Livestream platform. 

The regular Vimeo plans are mainly suited for broadcasters with minimal needs in terms of features, storage, and bandwidth. The Livestream plans are much more inclusive.

The Vimeo OTT platform is a solution for broadcasters who want to offer an OTT video subscription service. It allows creators and businesses to establish their own branded video subscription services, providing them with all the tools necessary to create, manage, and monetize their content.

Various Vimeo OTT examples of brands using the platform across different sectors show how versatile the solution can be in supporting various niche markets and content delivery formats.

This version of Vimeo offers many professional-grade features, including:

• Video subscription and OTT monetization
• App building
• Video API access
• Large-scale live streaming
• Premium support and account management
• Vimeo integrations
• High-volume storage

Check out our Vimeo Livestream pricing post to learn more about the features and offerings from other Livestream plans.

As we mentioned, Vimeo’s OTT solution is priced separately from the regular Vimeo pricing options. There are two plans: Starter and Enterprise.

• Starter Pricing: $1/subscriber per month. Offers a web-only video hosting platform with monetization options through subscriptions and transactions.
• Enterprise Pricing: Please contact Vimeo for custom Vimeo fees based on your specific needs.

Vimeo Enterprise features include access to branded apps and API integration, allowing for seamless integration with your existing systems. 

Additionally, you’ll benefit from various monetization options such as Advertising Video on Demand (AVOD), Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD), and more Live Pay-Per-View (PPV) advertising and registration capabilities.

In terms of technical capabilities, the Enterprise plan provides 60TB of bandwidth, 200 upload hours, and full HD/1080p resolution, ensuring high-quality video delivery. 

A 24/7 live linear channel is also included, allowing you to stream content continuously. For added convenience and support, Enterprise offers a Vimeo Advanced license, dedicated account management, and dedicated support for both your team and your customers.

We recommend checking out the Vimeo OTT pricing page for a complete list of features available with each plan.

Vimeo OTT Pricing

As we mentioned, Vimeo’s OTT solution is priced separately from the regular Vimeo packages. There are three plans: Starter, Growth, and Enterprise.

• Starter Pricing: $1/subscriber per month
• Growth Pricing: starting at $500/month
• Enterprise Pricing: Please contact Vimeo for custom pricing information

This OTT-specific pricing package comes with the Vimeo.com relationship. These plans include all the basics for starting your web-based OTT channel, as well as growing your OTT business online.

We recommend checking out the Vimeo OTT pricing page for a complete list of features available with each plan.

Vimeo OTT API Functionality

Formerly known as the VHX API, Vimeo OTT API provides a secure interface for managing video content on the platform. With the API, users can create custom subscription video on demand (SVOD) services. 

You can also handle various aspects of your OTT services, including managing products, customers, videos, collections, authorizations, and analytics.

All interactions with the API are conducted over HTTPS, and data is exchanged in JSON format, ensuring a streamlined and secure communication process. 

Moreover, the Vimeo OTT API supports the generation of authorization tokens, which are essential for granting customers access to specific videos. This mechanism not only enhances security but also allows for session management.

Pros and Cons of Vimeo OTT

Every online video platform comes with pros and cons. These are important things to consider when you’re choosing a platform with your streaming needs. Let’s check out some of the pros and cons of the Vimeo OTT platform.

Pros:

• Easy uploading from any device, as well as Google Drive, Dropbox, and FYP
• Monetization (integrated paywall for subscription payments)
• Users can customize the video player with colors and logos
• Video analytics: users can access stats on the amount of data related to their plan level
• Includes bandwidth with plans (so you don’t have to buy it separately)
• Branded app building tools

Cons:

The Vimeo OTT solution also has a few downsides. Some potential issues include limited access to features, in the sense that some essential features are only available with custom plans.

Like Livestream, Vimeo OTT takes a high-end premium approach to their live streaming service. This results in quality but expensive products. This means users can expect a high-quality product, but at a premium price.

For instance, Vimeo API pricing for full API access starts at $1,000+ per month, which is available only with the custom-priced Enterprise plan. The Vimeo Enterprise cost can be a significant consideration for smaller businesses or individual creators who may not need or afford such extensive features.

Here are a few limits of the Vimeo OTT solution that you should keep in mind:

• Paywall transactions are subject to additional fees, and international transactions are charged an additional 2% for a conversion fee
• 24/7 customer support only available on the Vimeo OTT Enterprise plan 
• Playback on Vimeo OTT is not available in some countries, such as China and Indonesia. This limitation can restrict your audience reach and accessibility. 
• The platform uses an internal content delivery network, as opposed to a more powerful and reliable professional CDN like Akamai. This choice could affect the speed and reliability of content delivery, particularly for larger or geographically diverse audiences.

What it boils down to is that you may not get the best value for the amount that you’re paying for Vimeo OTT. Other streaming solutions offer access to the essential features at a much more reasonable price point.

Vimeo OTT Reviews

One of the best ways to learn about an online video platform is through user reviews. Here are a few reviews from past Vimeo OTT API users:

“Vimeo OTT has done a great job making a beautiful web platform and app design. They have the [best looking] designs of all their competitors. Well done…Vimeo OTT is overpriced for what it offers. Analytics are limited. Some analytics are hidden unless you get custom reports from Vimeo OTT staff.” – Matkai B.

“It does [it’s] job but doesn’t have really useful customizable features in the player like changing the speed of the video and fast forward and rewinding 10 seconds. Lacking an average video player in my opinion.” – Nathan A.

“I have enjoyed using Vimeo over the years. I find it a great way to work with clients to show rough cuts of videos and get feedback before delivering final versions. The password feature is a huge benefit for this kind of work.” – Robin M.

The 10 Best Vimeo OTT Alternatives

Vimeo OTT is a powerful solution. However, streaming solutions are not a “one-size-fits-all” sort of thing. If Vimeo cost and features do not meet your streaming needs, it is a good idea to seek Vimeo OTT alternatives.

There are some professional alternatives to consider for those looking for live broadcasting software who are looking for a streaming solution to create an OTT platform.

The platforms we’re looking at are OTT streaming solutions by nature, so you can invest in their regular platform, as opposed to one solely dedicated to OTT streaming.

1. Dacast

Dacast is a unified live streaming platform that uses OTT technology to host both live and VOD content. By integrating OTT technology, Dacast allows users to deliver high-quality, buffer-free streaming experiences across multiple devices, including desktops, smartphones, smart TVs, and tablets.

In recent years, Dacast acquired streaming platform Vzaar to enhance its VOD capabilities. This strategic move provided Dacast with advanced features for on-demand video, including sophisticated video encoding, enhanced security options, and improved analytics. 

Additionally, vzaar’s infrastructure allows Dacast China playback accessibility, overcoming a common challenge in the streaming industry — reaching audiences in China despite the country’s stringent internet regulations. 

Additionally, the Dacast OVP works with powerful industry partners, including the Limelight and Akamai CDNs for highly scalable video delivery.

Here are some key features that set Dacast’s OTT streaming solutions apart from the Vimeo Enterprise features:

• Live streaming and Video on Demand are included in all plans
• VOD platform to monetize on-demand content, and to scale your VOD business
• Secure, global content delivery, including industry-best video hosting
• 24/7 tech support with all plans, including email and live chat
• Video security features, including password protection
• RTMP (real-time messaging protocol) ingest, playback, and streaming support
• Unlimited viewers and live channels
• White label and branding control
• Embeddable HTML5 video player
• SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD pay-per-view monetization options
• M3U8 media links to stream to mobile and smart TV apps such as Roku, Apple TV, etc.
• SDK for player integration on iOS and Android platforms
• Live stream recording
• 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

Pricing:

Dacast has many live streaming pricing options. The plan packages are as follows:

• Starter: $39/month (billed annually); ideal for newcomers with 2.4 TB of bandwidth and 500 GB of storage per year
• Event: $63/month (billed annually); for organizations that would rather not sign a contract, and want to purchase bandwidth separately to live stream an event, offers 6 TB of bandwidth upfront, 250 GB of storage; additional data, and storage can be added as needed
• Scale: $165/month (billed annually); includes 24 TB of bandwidth per year, with 1 TB of storage; add phone support, monetization paywall, an M3U8 online player for live channels, ad insertion, white-label video player, and video API access; additional bandwidth is available upon request for monthly plans
• Custom plan: if your enterprise business has high-volume streaming needs, you can contact Dacast for a custom plan tailored to your needs.

2. Brightcove

Another alternative to the Vimeo OTT solution is Brightcove. Brightcove is a massive video hosting solution that focuses exclusively on the Enterprise market. They offer a wide range of services, but price-wise, this platform is likely out of reach for smaller and medium-sized businesses.

Brightcove is designed to handle high volumes of video content and provides advanced features tailored for large-scale enterprises. Since Brightcove operates based on a fully custom pricing model, it’s impossible to predict exactly how much it costs to access a given feature. 

This means that the cost can vary significantly depending on the specific requirements and scale of the organization. As a result, it is generally considered a premium solution.

Here’s a simplified look at Brightcove’s feature list.

• Live streaming capabilities are available
• API access 
• Monetization is supported
• Suited for Enterprises
• Video CMS (including analytics and transcoding tools)
• Uses an HTML5 video player for universal streaming

Customer support for Brightcove is available at three tiers: Silver, Gold, and Premium. Phone support starts at the Gold level. Customers can upgrade their support plan for an additional fee.

Pricing:

Brightcove doesn’t publish any specific information about its pricing plan for its streaming services on its site. For a customized quote, you need to contact Brightcove directly to discuss your specific business needs.

3. IBM Video Streaming

IBM Cloud Video is another great option for broadcasters. This video platform was originally born after IBM purchased UStream back in 2016.

Today, IBM Cloud Video focuses on the Enterprise video hosting and live streaming market. Like Brightcove, their products are aimed at large businesses with large budgets. 

This OTT streaming solution is known for its strong security protocols, including features like password protection, encryption, and single sign-on (SSO) authentication, which are crucial for organizations handling sensitive data.

Here are some of IBM Cloud Video’s features:

• Live streaming capabilities included on all plans
• API access is available (only on custom-priced plans)
• Monetization is not supported natively
• Customer support includes phone support available from 6 am to 6 pm pacific time, 7 days a week

Pricing:

IBM Cloud Video offers four different pricing plans for streaming. These include:

• Silver: $137/month for 5 channels and 1TB storage
• Gold: $688/month for 10 channels and 2TB storage
• Platinum: $1380/month for 20 channels and 5TB storage
• Custom: Please contact IBM Cloud video for custom plan pricing

IBM Cloud Video also offers a basic free trial plan so broadcasters try it before they buy it.

4. JW Player

JW Player is a Vimeo OTT alternative with plans for every budget. This platform’s streaming technology stemmed from a code that contributed to the original YouTube video player.

Although it started as a powerful video player, JW Player developed into a full-service video streaming solution that is powered by OTT technology.

JW Player’s platform is built around several key products and capabilities. The STREAM product facilitates live and on-demand (VOD) streaming, featuring Studio DRM for content protection. 

The PLAYOUT product includes a web player and support for OTT and CTV apps, as well as mobile and SDK integrations. The ENGAGE product enhances viewer interaction with features like recommendations, article matching, and detailed analytics.

For monetization, JW Player offers various options such as subscriptions, payments, identity management, and dynamic strategy rules. Also, users can select from a global network of partners, ensuring solutions that fit customization needs.

Some of the most notable features of JW Player include:

• Global content delivery
• API access for customization 
• Video monetization (AVOD)
• MBR and ABR streaming
• Minimal tech support 
• Powerful video player
• Clean user-interface

Pricing:

JW Player pricing plans include the following tiers:

• Free trial: JW Player offers a 30-day free trial subscription which includes full API and SDK access, a non-commercial license, 5 GB storage, and 25 GB streaming bandwidth.
• Enterprise plan: This is a business-specific plan available with custom pricing for high-volume storage and streaming. Enterprise plan supports live streaming, while lower-tier plans only support VOD.  

5. Wowza

Wowza is a multi-faceted streaming company that is flexible and reliable. It boasts a “customer-centric” streaming experience that puts the broadcaster in control.

One significant benefit of Wowza is that it allows users to create highly customizable streaming setups to achieve their unique streaming goals.

Wowza’s flexible architecture allows broadcasters to adjust settings for video quality, latency, security, and device compatibility. Additionally, Wowza supports a wide range of streaming protocols, which makes it an ideal choice for broadcasters looking to reach audiences on different devices and platforms. 

Some of Wowza’s most valuable features include:

• Cloud video transcoding
• Support for live streaming and VOD hosting
• White-label streaming
• Customiable HTML5 video player
• API access for customization
• Reliable customer support
• Auto-archiving
• Comprehensive video CMS
• Ultra HD streaming (4K)
• Powerful video security 

Pricing:

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

• One Month of Streaming: $149 one-time purchase; includes 15 hours of live streaming and 500 viewing hours also at 720p
• Pay As You Go: Flexible streaming pricing, $2.50 per streaming hour, $0.10 per viewer hour.
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for your business needs.

The pricing above reflects rates when billed monthly.

The Wowza Streaming Engine has its own pricing plans. These professional-grade streaming plans are billed annually and include:

• Basic: $195/month + $195/month for each additional instance and $125/month for each additional prepaid instance
• One Month of Streaming: $295/month + $295month for each additional instance and $95/month for each additional prepaid instance
• Enterprise: Please contact Wowza directly for access to their custom-tailored high volume enterprise solutions

6. Kaltura

Kaltura is an open-source streaming platform that offers a highly customizable streaming solution. It is geared towards educational institutions, enterprises, and other large organizations.

Kaltura can be customized with plugins to add different features and functionality. Some of the top features of this platform include:

• Multi-bitrate and ABR streaming
• Video monetization via integrations
• Reliable privacy and security tools
• API access for total customization
• Very few limits integrations
• Features for advanced broadcasters

Pricing:

Kaltura pricing depends on the solutions you’re looking for. These include: 

Webinars:

• Free trial: $0 for two webinars
• Business: $150/month 
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Virtual classroom:

• Free trial: 14 days
• Standard: $19/month 
• Pro: $45/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing 

Media Services:

• Free trial account: $100 worth of credits for 30 days 
• 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

7. Vidyard

Vidyard is a powerful solution that offers streaming support for marketing, sales, and corporate communications. This platform features a wide spread of built-in tools, but users can customize their streaming experience with a variety of plugins and integrations.

Some of Vidyard’s streaming tools include:

• Marketing tools
• Engagement improvement 
• Advanced video content management
• High-level security
• Tools for an advanced broadcasting experience
• Powerful video  analytics
• Reliable technical support

Pricing:

Vidyard pricing plans come in a few different tiers, split amongst two categories: Individual and Teams. All plans are billed annually. Here’s how the pricing plans are broken down:

• Free: $0/month
• Pro: $29/month billed monthly or $19/month billed annually
• Plus: $89/month billed monthly or $59/month billed annually
• Business: Custom pricing for specific needs

Custom Video Solutions:

All enterprise pricing packages are custom-priced.

8. Muvi

Muvi is a dedicated steaming solution that is designed to help broadcasters build their own user-facing streaming platforms, like Hulu or Disney+. The purpose of Muvi is to simplify this highly technical process so that even newer broadcasters can tap into online streaming.

The platform is optimized for multi-screen streaming, providing a viewing experience across various devices, including smart TVs, desktops, smartphones, and tablets.

Muvi offers tons of powerful streaming features, including:

• Custom branding
• HTML5 video player
• Powerful analytics
• Video monetization 
• DRM and security features
• Video CMS
• Transcoding
• Website and apps for streaming

Pricing:

Muvi prices its plans at the following five levels:

• Standard Plan: $399/month – Basic features and support
• Professional Plan: $1499/month – Advanced features and customization
• Enterprise Plan: $3900/month – Professional + dedicated server and enterprise support
• Ultimate: Full suite of features, dedicated support, and custom integrations

9. SproutVideo

SproutVideo is among the Vimeo OTT alternatives that offer a comprehensive suite of features for live and on-demand video streaming for broadcasters with any budget. The platform is geared towards enterprise users who want to leverage online video for their organizations.

In addition to its core streaming capabilities, SproutVideo also integrates seamlessly with various marketing tools and platforms, allowing businesses to align their video strategy with their broader marketing goals.

SproutVideo offers a wide variety of tools for broadcasters, including:

• API access for customization
• White-label streaming 
• HTML5 video player
• Brand customization 
• VOD and live stream hosting
• Powerful marketing tools 
• Custom video portals

Pricing:

SproutVideo offers four pricing plans to target different budgets, including:

• Seed: $10/month
• Sprout: $35/month
• Tree: $75/month
• Forest: $295/month

Video marketing features, analytics tools and custom API are available on all the plans. You can try out all the features on any of the plans during the 30-day free trial.

10. Wistia

Last but not least,  Wistia is another viable Vimeo OTT alternative. This solution is geared towards businesses that want to use broadcasting for marketing and growth.

Wistia provides a highly customizable  video player which allows users to match the player’s colors and controls to their own branding. Moreover, videos created with Wistia are optimized for SEO, with features like metadata customization and video sitemaps. 

Here are a few of Wistia’s top features:

• Support for marketing tools 
• Video SEO
• Reliable tech support
• Streamlined broadcasting experience 
• Powerful reporting and analytics
• CRM integrations for team collaboration
• Sleek video player

Pricing:

Wistia pricing plans come in four tiers. These include:

• Free: $0/month
• Plus: $24/month     
• Pro: $99/month 
• Advanced: $399/month

FAQs

1. What are some popular Vimeo OTT alternatives that offer a free video streaming service?

While Vimeo OTT is a well-known platform for video creation and streaming, there are several other options that offer a free plan or trial for their video streaming services. These platforms also offer advanced features, like video hosting, OTT apps, and monetization options. Vimeo OTT cost can be compared with these competitors to find the best fit for your needs. Here are some popular Vimeo OTT competitors:

• JW Player
• Vidyard
• Wistia

2. Is Vimeo OTT different from Vimeo?

While both are video-sharing platforms, they serve different purposes:

• Vimeo: Primarily a platform for individual users to upload, share, and discover videos.
• Vimeo OTT: A platform designed for businesses and content creators to launch their own subscription-based streaming services.

In essence, Vimeo is for individual video sharing, while Vimeo OTT is for businesses building their own streaming platforms.

3. How much is Vimeo Enterprise pricing plan?

Vimeo Enterprise cost comes with a robust suite of features tailored for larger organizations, including advanced video hosting, live streaming capabilities, and extensive customization options. The cost of Vimeo for this plan varies as it is a custom plan tailored to the specific needs and scale of your business. Since this plan is customized, you’ll need to contact the sales team directly for a detailed quote on Vimeo rates for you.

4. Can I use Vimeo to create videos live and stream webinars?

Yes. Vimeo offers a range of features and tools to help you create and distribute live video content, including the ability to stream directly to a scheduled event. You can even use the Vimeo OTT app for iPhone and Android users to manage and deliver your content.

5. What are the advanced features included in Vimeo’s higher-tier plans?

Higher-tier Vimeo pricing options, such as the Vimeo OTT Enterprise and Advanced plans, include features like:

• The ability to host live broadcasts and webinars
• Live Q&A sessions, polls, and chat features for audience engagement
• Custom forms for lead generation and advanced analytics to track performance
• Marketing integrations to enhance video promotion and reach
• AI-powered features
• Robust analytics and integrations

Conclusion

For the right user, Vimeo can be a great platform. At the same time, it’s not for everyone. The OTT solution is equipped with the tools you need for need to build an OTT streaming platform of your own.

Some alternatives to the Vimeo OTT solution, like Dacast’s streaming solutions, offer some very compelling advantages.

Try Dacast risk-free with our 14-day free trial. Access all of the features to see how Dacast can serve your OTT video hosting needs. All you have to do is sign up today. No credit card is required.

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