Streaming VOD: cos’è e come funziona con l’OTT [2023 Update]

The amount of TV we watch has been steadily declining for some time now with the rise of OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+. But that doesn’t mean people are consuming less content. Today’s viewers are truly spoiled for choice regarding streaming options. VOD stands for video on demand, and it’s making waves in the content delivery and entertainment industry.

Video on demand (VOD) is the future of online content delivery. The popularity of VOD and OTT services is because it doesn’t need to be viewed live like live-streaming.

So it’s no surprise that year-over-year viewing times on VOD platforms have increased dramatically. In fact, the average daily viewing time of VOD content on various devices has gone up in 2022.

Image via Statista

Think of VOD services as visiting the library and checking out a book of your choice. The difference is that VOD services store videos, not books. VOD streaming software never stores videos on a customer’s phone or device.

That makes VOD services safer for content creators, giving them additional protection against piracy and copying of their intellectual property.

VOD isn’t just a great video streaming service for OTT entertainment and media. A recent HubSpot survey revealed that audiences prefer to watch content in video form over all other forms, including emails, infographics, and blog articles.

Video is a very powerful way to resonate with your client base and magnetize new customers for broadcasters, SMBs, and enterprise brands.

In this post, we will discuss what video on demand is and how your business or organization can benefit from VOD services. We’ll contrast live streaming with video-on-demand platforms. To wrap things up, we will look at a few of the best VOD platforms on the market.

Table of Contents:

• What is VOD Streaming?
• VOD Streaming Statistics and Trends
• What is the Difference Between VOD and Live Streaming?
• What is OTT?
• How Does OTT Streaming Work?
• What Makes a Great VOD Streaming Platform?
• VOD Streaming and OTT Monetization Models
• Top 10 VOD Streaming Platforms
• Conclusion

What is VOD Streaming?

VOD streaming platforms allow companies to store videos in a central server for sharing or selling to their viewers.

VOD stands for “video on demand.” VOD describes how you can access content from an online library. You can access video content, such as television shows, movies, and documentaries, whenever you want to.

That is different from traditional broadcast channels, where you can only access and watch content at a scheduled time. With VOD on OTT platforms, the only requirement to access videos is an internet-compatible device that works with that service’s website or app.

A few examples of popular VOD (OTT) streaming platforms include:

• Netflix
• Disney+
• Hulu
• Amazon Prime

These OTT platforms are primarily VOD platforms. These VOD live stream platforms are run by large entertainment networks that broadcast officially licensed content, but that’s not the only way to create VOD. Small to mid-sized businesses and content creators of all genres can also leverage the benefits VOD has to offer. Any business and content creator can create their own OTT service using a video hosting platform like Dacast.

A VOD hosting platform works with independent creators, organizations, and enterprises. Selecting a VOD streaming platform that supports their needs and provides an excellent experience for its viewers is essential. It gives them the tools to host and deliver content on their websites or social media platforms.

A VOD hosting platform for OTT offers a range of services and tools, such as:

• Video hosting
• Video management
• Video delivery
• Monetization
• Security

Your content is delivered to your viewers using content delivery networks (CDNs). CDNs are a network of globally distributed servers that help deliver your content to your online audience quickly and effectively.

With a professional-grade VOD platform, you can control how and where your video content is distributed. Top-of-the-line VOD platforms offer white-label video players, so you can customize and brand the video player to match your business’s branding and services. You can embed the video player on your website and social media channels.

Professional-grade VOD platforms give businesses of all sizes the tools to offer VOD streaming services to their customers.

VOD Streaming Statistics and Trends

There are numerous professional uses for on-demand video content. You can use Video content to entertain, share information, create community engagement, and generate revenue for your business.

For most businesses, creating video content is worth the investment of resources, and monetization makes business sense because it:

• creates engagement
• is a great marketing tool
• is an effective way to share your brand’s message
• is a trusted source of information.

Engagement

Video content is engaging. Websites that include video content keep visitors engaged for longer periods of time. On average, people spent about 17 hours weekly watching videos in 2023. While this number is slightly lower than in 2022, it’s still a huge jump from pre-COVID figures. Proving the power of video content when it comes to engaging customers and viewers.

Image via Wyzowl

Messaging

Trying to get your brand’s vision across? It can be challenging to stand out among all the advertisements that customers are bombarded with daily. Video content is a more effective way to share your brand’s messages with customers than static content, such as an image or blog post. You could use advertisements, brand sponsorships, and brand mentions in the videos to get your message across.

Marketing

Video is one of the top marketing strategies used by 91 % of businesses. Incorporating VOD into your digital marketing strategy is a surefire way to boost sales and engagement. Over 93% of companies credit getting new customers to posting videos regularly.

Trust

People trust video content. In fact, 96% of people have watched product or service explainer videos to learn about them. Additionally, 89% of them have been convinced to buy the product or service by watching its video, meaning they can drive loads of conversions for you too. So, Spend your resources on the medium your consumer trusts and is easier to consume.

Image via Wyzowl

On top of those reasons, internet users love consuming video content, making it one of the top ways to connect with your audience. Learn more about on-demand streaming statistics in our dedicated streaming statistics post.

What is the Difference Between VOD and Live Streaming?

VOD stands for video on demand; VOD services aren’t the same as live streaming. The biggest difference between VOD content and a live stream is that VOD content is recorded and generally edited before you view it, and live content is streamed in real-time.

Additionally, VOD content is available on demand, meaning viewers can watch it whenever and wherever they want once the content is made available to them. This isn’t the case with live streaming, where the content needs to be watched in real-time.

To maximize monetization and views, many brands create VOD and live streaming content. That opens up multiple streams of revenue for them instead of just one. When you create your team’s video marketing strategy, it’s important to think long-term about your content strategy.

You can save a recording of your live streams and turn them into videos on demand. Live streams can be a great way to increase your VOD content library.

For instance, Vevo partnered with Ariana Grande for her live streaming performance of the album “Positions”. The music videos from these performances are still available on demand to viewers.

However, these two methods of streaming video content online do differ from each other. Let’s look at how they differ.

Live Streaming

Sharing real-time experiences with your audience through live streaming is a great way to create a sense of exclusivity and community, making live streaming an essential tool for businesses.

Live streaming can create a sense of community with your customers and share information with them and within your organization. That’s especially true if you have a remote workplace or offices in multiple locations. Live streams can be a great tool to harvest a positive work culture within your organization.

For your customer, you can use live streams for a wide range of real-time events, such as:

• Product demos
• Product releases
• Press releases
• Share news

Live streams can be a great way to share information and connect with your customers in real-time. It is a great way to let customers feel like they are in the know.

Live streams can also be a great internal tool for connecting with your employees and stakeholders. This is especially true if you have a remote workplace or offices in multiple locations.

You can use internal live streams for a variety of purposes, such as:

• Announcing changes within the company
• Hosting a conference
• Conducting live training sessions
• Holding meetings

Live streaming is a medium for sharing less structured and edited content, all in real-time. This quality might help resonate with a broader viewer base for specific genres.

Compared to VOD, live streaming requires a bit more technical know-how. With live streaming, you are recording video content in real-time. During a live stream, you want to minimize the delay between when something happens in real-time and when your viewers experience it through their screens.

You can achieve that with adaptive bitrate streaming, which instantly creates different versions of your content, allowing your end-viewer to watch the content in real time with minimal buffering at the best resolution for their device and internet connection.

This is particularly helpful for those watching the content on smartphones while on the move. As their data speeds vary, the video quality will adapt to them. The upscaling or downscaling of the video will ensure that the stream keeps going without stopping for buffering.

On the back end, you will need to work with encoders to allow for the smooth delivery of your content to your viewers. Luckily, many online video platforms, such as Dacast, take care of this encoding for you.

Video On Demand (VOD) Streaming

Video-on-demand streaming software works differently than live streaming and serves different purposes.

VOD streaming allows you to perfect your content before releasing it. Live streaming is great for creating hype and channeling that is built up into views. While VOD is better for video content that follows a script. You can plan, record, edit, and fix your video before you release it. That allows you to create a polished and professional premium video experience for your viewers.

Both types of content are valuable and offer different experiences.

For customers, you can use VOD content for a variety of purposes, such as:

• Entertainment
• In-depth product demonstrations
• Educational content
• Informative content

Within your organization, you can use VOD for a variety of purposes, such as:

• Internal training
• Tutorials
• Walk-throughs

You can use VOD streaming software to create content that people across your organization will need access to over time. VOD lets viewers watch content on their schedule.

Take tutorials, for example; you can create VOD content teaching recruits in your company how a specific piece of equipment is operated. They can then refer back to it whenever need be. Troubleshooting any issues or training new employees can be easier and more streamlined this way.

VOD content fits into people’s busy lives and allows people to watch the content from any internet-connected device.

With VOD streaming, you need to work with a video hosting platform that allows you to manage and upload your content easily. You also want to work with a platform with API tools and video galleries that make it easy to share all your video content with your audience.

What is OTT?

OTT means “over-the-top,” and it refers to technology that streams content directly over the Internet. OTT streaming is an alternative to traditional methods like cable or satellite TV.

Rather than needing a telecom or TV provider box to interface with content, users can access media from a wide range of devices. Anything from mobile devices and desktop computers to gaming consoles and smart TVs. The device doesn’t matter as much as having a strong internet connection.

The term “OTT” often refers to video content but can also apply to audio messaging or VoIP calling solutions.

OTT is an attractive option for organizations looking to add value to their brand. Broadcasters can offer content to consumers at a fraction of what traditional cable TV and telecom providers charge. Brands can create original content that can’t be found elsewhere and maintain exclusive distribution rights on their OTT platforms.

OTT and VOD Streaming

Although the two content delivery systems differ, you can use OTT and VOD streaming in unison to stream professional content. In case of another pandemic [knock on wood!] the duo offers a streaming solution that can facilitate organizations worldwide to go ahead with scheduled events, conferences, and shows.

Schools and universities can use the duo to provide online education materials. Churches and worship centers can share services, outreach efforts, and testimonials. Even organized sports and publishing agencies can benefit from OTT.

How Does OTT Streaming Work?

Over-the-top streaming bypasses traditional media channels such as cable and telecom networks. Those OTT providers typically charge a tiered subscription rate that includes a certain bundle of their products. Thus, the provider decides what content or channels users receive within that bundle. However, there are many OTT providers who opt for other monetization methods like ads or pay-per-view.

OTT offers consumers more autonomy over the content and rates of their choice. Paying for services users don’t want is inefficient and unfair to consumers. With traditional media, audiences don’t have a choice of what they get without upgrading to a more expensive package. They’re also limited to using specific hardware devices and sometimes restricted to regionally specific content (e.g., sports) for their geographic area. That’s not the case with OTT.

OTT streaming provides a better user experience than traditional content delivery methods.

Features such as adaptive bitrate streaming and transmuxing allow OTT providers to serve up multiple bitrates, resolutions, and streaming protocols at the same time. While features like data analytics help broadcasters create better content and reach larger audiences with varying bandwidth speeds and device types.

OTT offers better segmentation capabilities, as well. Rather than blasting your entire audience with the same content, users can sign up for the specific info they want to learn about. Broadcasters can then focus on that topic or niche and provide more detailed, actionable advice.

What Makes a Great VOD Streaming Platform?

A great VOD streaming platform provides its users with features that will allow them to create content available across the world easily.

As mentioned, most consumer-based and social media video hosting options don’t meet the needs of OTT businesses and high-volume broadcasters. These outlets have poor security controls, restricted scalability options, limited monetization options, and focus more on their branding than on their users.

In the era of OTT video dominance and the prevalence of content, making your media content stand out is challenging. Broadcasters who are serious about providing the best online content experience choose business-grade platforms to grow their brands. By integrating video hosting, VOD, and live streaming, partners like Dacast provide the all-in-one solution that organizations and influencers need.

Here are a few reasons why using a professional online video platform makes sense.

• White label streaming: use your logos, colors, and images to ensure your brand stays front and center. Your content is served ad-free and with no interruptions.
• API and SDK access: easily integrate existing workflows or build your own OTT service and mobile apps from scratch.
• Multi-user access: grant custom access controls and user permissions within your organization and for each audience group. Use built-in safeguards to ensure only the intended audience can view (or share) your content.
• Live stream recording: capture events as they happen and automatically save them to your VOD platform library. Organize your CMS by tags and filters to improve search options and functionality.

Scalable content delivery: provide exceptional experiences using world-class CDNs and offer multiple viewing options for a wide range of devices.

VOD Streaming and OTT Monetization Models

Many broadcasters create a successful VOD platform intending to monetize another complexity level of their content. Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+ are some of the most successful paid OTT streaming sites.

Let’s look at three of the most common video OTT monetization models

1. Advertising Video on Demand (AVOD)

With AVOD, users are given free access to content with the stipulation that sponsored video advertising is a part of the OTT experience—much like traditional TV advertising. They may or may not have the option to skip these online video ads. YouTube is a perfect example where the free plan shows ads to users while YouTube Premium lets them avoid ads. AVOD allows broadcasters to generate revenue without requiring paywalls or ongoing subscriptions.

2. Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD)

SVOD is the OTT monetization option that most viewers are accustomed to. This subscription-based OTT revenue model gives users access to content in exchange for a monthly or annual recurring fee. Think Netflix or ESPN+.

3. Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD)

TVOD is the least common of the three options for OTT monetization. TVOD is based on users’ paying-per-view to stream and access specific content not available elsewhere. A pay-per-view OTT model such as HBO charging extra for a boxing match or concert broadcast online is TVOD in action.

Depending on your OTT monetization strategy, you’ll want to choose a provider that offers one (if not all) of these VOD options. For instance, Amazon Prime Video leverages both SVOD and TVOD. Similarly, Netflix uses SVOD and AVOD. These are called hybrid monetization models for OTT.

Top 10 VOD Streaming Platforms

Now that we have established what VOD streaming is, it’s time to turn to some specific platform offerings.

As you begin researching VOD hosting/streaming providers for OTT, you’ll find that many offer similar features. However, you’ll want to check the details before making your final decision.

Let’s take some time to look closely at some of the top streaming platforms available.

1. Dacast

Dacast is a VOD streaming platform fully integrated that allows people to put up online video content and monetize them intuitively.

Platform Overview:

Ideal for do-it-yourself and professional broadcasters looking to improve their offerings with affordable solutions. Dacast’s Streaming Solution is one of the few providers that offer no-contract options using secure top-tier CDN networks, including Akamai and Limelight – leaders in world-class uptime and streaming reliability.

Dacast pricing is also more affordable than other options.

Another major way Dacast differs from VOD platforms of the same tier is its superb user experience. If you or your viewers run into any issues with any media content you’ve uploaded, Dacast offers 24/7 live support via chat and phone.

That means your audience will enjoy superior-quality videos without technical issues and glitches spoiling their fun. Dacast also actively empowers its content creators by offering an extensive knowledge base.

Key Features:

Dacast’s key features include ad-free broadcasting, white-label service on all plans, and top-tier CDN delivery. Reliable 24/7 phone support is also available for scale and event plans.

Detailed Features:

• 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 and encryption
• RTMP Encoder for ingesting HLS 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
• Player API access for 3rd party player integration
• Video API access on premium plans (scale and event)
• Adaptive multi-bitrate streaming
• Cloud-based video transcoding
• Real-time analytics
• Ad-free streaming

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

• Minimum dimension: none (but 240p is the recommended minimum)
• Maximum dimension: 1080p or 4K (depends on the user’s hardware and internet)
• Aspect ratio: no restrictions (but 16:9 is the default)
• Max file size: none
• Max video length: none
• Total file storage: 10-1000GB (depends on plan)
• Compatible video formats: MP4 (preferred), MOV, M4V, M2V, AVI, MPG, FLV, WMV, MKV, WEBM, OGV, MXF, ASF, VOB, MTS

Pricing:

Dacast offers broadcasters a variety of live streaming pricing plans with Dacast: Starter, Scale, Event, and Custom.

• Starter: This plan is best for beginners, or those just testing the waters of on-demand video streaming, offering 1,000 GB of bandwidth, 50GB of storage, and costing $39 per month billed annually.
• Scale: If you’ve got a fair amount of content banked and want to build an audience, the Scale plan may be a better fit. This plan offers 24 TB GB of bandwidth, 1 TB of storage per year, and costs $165 per month billed annually.
• Event: this plan is for organizations that stream events once, or occasionally, or on an irregular schedule, and/or don’t want to have a recurring monthly payment. It offers 6,000 GB of bandwidth, 50 GB of storage, and costs just $63 per month billed annually. You can access this bandwidth for up to one year after purchase, making it an economical option for occasional event streamers.
• Custom: If your organization has high-volume streaming needs, you can contact Dacast for a custom plan tailored to your needs.

2. IBM Cloud Video

IBM Cloud Video (formerly Ustream) is a live video streaming company, founded in 2007.

Platform Overview:

A storied name in technology, IBM’s product aims at large businesses and enterprise brands. While their Cloud Video platform offers robust encoding and security options, it lacks monetization features (no SSL paywall, TVOD, or AVOD). IBM also falls short with no bulk upload or Dropbox integrations. And their monthly pricing plans are high – between $99 and $999 per month for basic service and custom pricing with other add-ons.

Key Features:

IBM provides a sprawling video service. Their VOD solution, IBM Cloud Video, is packed with features. However, the expansive nature of the platform is a double-edged sword since it can be hard to navigate. If you have experience in video creation, then you can maximize the features offered by the platform to the fullest.

IBM Cloud Video offers excellent scalability capacity. Making it the VOD platform of choice for large organizations with expert broadcasters.

Detailed Features:

• VOD hosting and live streaming
• Categories and subcategories for organization
• Support for multi-bitrate streaming
• Adaptive video player
• Cloud encoding / Live transcoding
• Custom metadata fields
• Video library migration: available for an additional fee via professional services
• Phone technical support is available
• Subscriptions (SVOD)
• Ad-integration available
• Subscriber management tools
• Full video API included
• SDKs for iOS and Android development
• Password-protected videos
• AES encryption and/or DRM

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:

The pricing plans for the IBM Video Cloud include:

• Silver – $129/month
• Gold – $649/month
• Platinum – $1299/month
• Custom – Please contact IBM Cloud video for custom plan pricing.

3. Kaltura

Kaltura is an online video platform providing video management, distribution, and monetization solutions for media companies mostly.

Platform Overview:

Similar to IBM, Kaltura is geared towards enterprise brands and large institutions. Their product does include some top-notch features like multiple encoding options, video hosting and library organization tools. Kaltura also boasts robust API and security features.

However, Kaltura has limited monetization avenues. Their product includes no native pay-per-view, subscription, or OTT advertising options. You can use external plugins for these features, but this adds yet another level of complexity to the equation.

We recommended this VOD platform for veteran content creators or medium to large-sized organizations with more flexible budgets.

Key Features:

Kaltura is best for enterprise businesses and other large organizations.  Since it is customizable, the platform offers a lot of flexibility.

Their prices are not published on their website, but users have reported that Kaltura’s software comes with a hefty price tag.

Detailed Features:

• Support for multiple bitrates
• Adaptive video player: delivers the best video quality automatically
• Cloud encoding: simply and easily transcode videos into multiple bitrates.
• Support for transcoding from unusual and proprietary codecs(e.g. GoToMeeting).
• VOD hosting and live streaming
• Categories and subcategories for organization
• Tags for further sub-organization
• Bulk upload tool
• Custom XML/CSV upload tool supports offline metadata editing
• Full video API access
• SDKs for iOS and Android development
• Password-protected videos
• AES encryption and/or DRM
• Domain restrictions
• IP restrictions / HTTPS delivery

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:

Regarding pricing, the information is somewhat confusing. Most services are listed a la carte or on a pay-as-you-go basis. Typically, a custom quote from the provider is the only way to determine your true cost.

4. Wistia

Wistia is a video software company that provides video-hosting services for businesses.

Platform Overview:

A unique player in the VOD online streaming niche is Wistia. Focused mainly on marketing, Wistia offers unique features such as “heatmap” analytics and an organizational “project” structure not found on other platforms.

If B2B video marketing is your goal, then Wista is an option to consider. We don’t recommend the platform if you’re looking to magnetize more mainstream audiences. The platform offers access to great educational resources. Keep in mind though, that the platform has a defined niche: marketing.

Wistia does NOT offer live streaming capabilities nor include any native monetization options. It does however offer a smaller-scale free-to-use version if you have a smaller audience.

Key Features:

Since Wistia is a more specialized VOD platform, it does not include all of the great features included with the other VOD platforms we’ve covered. It has quite a few limitations and may not be ideal for all users.

You can integrate paywalls using external plugins, but these come with extra costs and configuration. Wistia also lacks several key API and Security features (such as SDKs for iOS /Android and AES encryption) that most SMBs and enterprise brands need.

Detailed Features:

• Support for multiple bitrates
• Adaptive video player
• Cloud encoding
• VOD hosting, but no live streaming
• Categories and subcategories for organization
• Tags for further sub-organization
• Playlists
• Powerful analytics tool with heat maps
• Unique “project” organizational structure
• Bulk upload tool
• Dropbox upload
• Full video API included
• Password-protected videos
• Domain restrictions
• HTTPS 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.

• Free: No cost to use; up to 10 videos; cannot remove Wistia’s branding from the video player
• Plus: $19/month; up to 20 videos with each extra video costing $2
• Pro: $79/month; 50 free videos with extra videos costing $1; white-label video player
• Advanced: $319/month; 250 free videos with additional videos for $0.5/each; multiple channels
• Premium: custom pricing; 1000 free videos with each additional video costing $0.25

5. Brightcove

Brightcove is an online video platform that focuses on video marketing resources to help develop viewership.

Platform Overview:

Boston-based Brightcove was founded in 2004. It is one of the oldest online video platforms offering cloud encoding, live streaming, and VOD (video on demand) hosting. Brightcove is a good choice for serving ads and monetizing content. However, you need a large budget and must sign a contract.

Brightcove doesn’t publicly list its pricing plans, but users report anywhere between $199 and $499 per month for basic packages (with additional services costing extra). You’re also required to sign a contract for services as well.

The platform ticks all the basic boxes when it comes to VOD and live-streaming. Although it is on the pricier side, especially considering its features and other platforms of similar tiers.

Key Features:

Users report the Brightcove platform as “robust” and “easy to use”. The platform includes essential features such as batch uploading and simplified management of large content libraries. The company also supports all revenue generation models for online video.

Detailed Features:

• Multi-bitrate video player
• Adaptive streaming
• Global video content delivery
• Tech support, but only at a basic level with slow ticket-based responses
• Includes custom video portals
• CRM integration available
• API-based upload and migration tools
• Video API access with custom-priced plans
• Role-based access control
• DRM and AES encryption
• Geo and IP restrictions
• Tokenized security
• Domain restrictions
• SSO login

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:

Since Brightcove mainly targets enterprise-level clients, they offer several custom-priced streaming plans at high price points. The three pricing tiers include:

• Starter: includes 50 to 200 videos, up to 100,000 plays, and 2-5 users
• Professional: unlimited videos, 100,000+ plays, and no overages plays, with +10 users
• Enterprise: unlimited videos, 100,000+ plays, and no overages plays, with 10+ users, unlimited upload, and analytics-only users

Interested broadcasters can contact their sales department to receive a quote or sign up for a free trial.

6. Muvi

Muvi is dedicated to building OTT/VOD streaming platforms.

Platform Overview:

Muvi is a complete streaming solution with many impressive features. The platform is another of the best live streaming platforms that are focused on OTT media distribution. This online video platform is unique in that it is designed specifically to help broadcasters create OTT streaming platforms quickly and easily.

In fact, this model empowers users to launch their own video or audio streaming platform quickly and easily. Additionally, the platform includes an all-inclusive and fully-featured website, mobile, and TV apps. Highly recommended if scalability is something you’re looking for in your VOD streaming platform of choice.

Key Features:

With Muvi, you can create a VOD streaming platform powered by OTT in no time.

The beauty of this platform is that it includes a fully managed, end-to-end streaming solution that is controlled by a single streaming video CMS. No coding or IT support is required to stream with Muvi.

Detailed Features:

• Customizable HTML5 video player
• Insightful viewer analytics
• Video monetization options
• DRM and security features
• Powerful content delivery
• Comprehensive video CMS
• Transcoding for high-quality streaming
• Website and Apps for Mobile and TV

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 prices its plans at the following four levels:

• Standard plan: $399/month (+ $299/month per app + infra fees), allows 2000 concurrent viewers, 1TB each of bandwidth and storage, and API access.
• Professional plan: at $1,499 per month (+ $499/month per app + infra fees) increases limits further and adds premium support.
• Enterprise plan: $3,900 per month (+ $499/month per app + infra fees) adds a dedicated server with auto-scaling.
• Ultimate plan: Custom pricing; includes everything in the Enterprise plan, plus unlimited users, unlimited admin accounts, 10 TB bandwidth, 10 TB storage, security reports, proactive monitoring, and more.

7. Vidyard

Vidyard supports streaming for business use.

Platform Overview:

Vidyard is another marketing-based platform that offers all-in-one video hosting and streaming solutions. It’s designed to help businesses host and share video content for marketing, sales, and corporate communications. Vidyard offers powerful video analytics and an easy-to-use interface. You’ll easily keep your viewer’s attention with its interactive viewing experience.

Overall, a good option for hosting encoding and tracking how viewers watch content and what they like.

Key Features:

Vidyard’s business-focused platform is fully equipped to give users the tools they need to turn viewers into paying customers.

Detailed Features:

• Video hosting
• Interactive viewing experiences
• Video SEO
• Personalization, playlist, and other viewing features
• Advanced video analytics
• Robust security options
• Active user community
• Customer service
• Multitude of features
• In-depth analytics and reporting

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 (depends on the plan)
• Max video length: 1 hour (live stream)
• Total file storage: Not available
• Compatible video formats: WEBM, MP4, MKV, MOV

Pricing:

There are a few ways to break down Vidyard’s pricing. They have two main umbrellas that their services, and are packaged as follows: Packages for Individuals and Teams:

• Free Forever: Free
• Pro Package: $19/month; comes with unlimited videos, video CTAs, and video insights
• Business Package: custom pricing; comes with everything in the Pro plan, detailed analytics, fully-customizable video CTAs, and more.

8. Vimeo OTT

Vimeo Livestream is a streaming solution that offers on-demand live broadcasting as well as OTT services.

Platform Overview:

Livestream is a live streaming platform Vimeo o wns. The platforms have merged to offer live and VOD streaming, and high-end packages are packaged under the Livestream name. This company offers one particularly useful for VOD streaming at the professional level.

Vimeo OTT is a Livestream offering built for hosting, managing, and monetizing  VOD content.

Key Features:

Vimeo OTT is designed for building monetizable VOD libraries.

Detailed Features:

• Comprehensive video CMS
• High-quality video streaming
• Large storage capacity
• Privacy and security features
• Unlimited events and viewers
• Ad-free streaming
• Sleek interface
• Insightful analytics
• Easy to use
• Monetization support

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 pricing is as follows:

Vimeo Livestream offers three main pricing plans, including:

1. Vimeo Advanced:

• Advanced pricing: $65/month
• Their Advanced plan includes both live streaming and VOD support. This plan is the best option for professional broadcasting on this platform.

2. Vimeo Enterprise:

• Enterprise Pricing: Please contact Vimeo for custom pricing information
• The Enterprise plan includes white-label service, monetization, and video API access. It also includes branding control and added security features.

3. Vimeo OTT:

• Free web app for SVOD and TVOD
• Branded apps for various operating systems
• 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.

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.

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

9. JW Player

JW Player has been important to the history of online video streaming and on-demand OTT.

Platform Overview:

First conceptualized in 2005 as part of a student project, JW Player began as a small piece of open-source code to play audio and video files. This code was used in the first YouTube video player, which makes this technology an important part of video streaming history. JW Player was originally known for its HTML5 video player for VOD content, the technology has expanded beyond on-demand content to support live streaming, as well.

Key Features:

JW Player supports MPEG-DASH playback, CSS skinning, DRM, and other advanced features.

Detailed Features:

• Multi-bitrate and adaptive streaming
• Customizable branding
• Global content delivery
• Tech support (email only on basic plans)
• Video API for customization
• Basic security features
• Monetization (only via advertising)
• Powerful video player
• Simple, easy-to-use platform

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 (depends on the plan)
• Compatible video formats: MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, 3GP, FLV

Pricing:

JW Player offers essentially 3 pricing plans. These include:

• 30-day free trial subscription which includes full API and SDK access, and a non-commercial license, with 25 GB hosting bandwidth and 75 GB streaming.
• Enterprise plans are available with custom pricing for high-volume storage and streaming. Enterprise plans support live streaming, while lower-tier plans only support VOD.

For more details, you can check out this third-party review of the platform.

10. Wowza

Wowza offers multiple types of support for online video streaming.

Platform Overview:

Wowza is a VOD streaming platform that is capable of delivering across phones, tablets, consoles, focusing on greater accessibility, further flexibility, and the best cost-effectiveness.

One of the best VOD streaming platforms if your internet speed is less than ideal. The platform also offers good customer support and has all the basic streaming features. Wowza offers two main products, including the Wowza Streaming Engine and the Wowza Streaming Cloud. The platform offers a specific solution for VOD streaming.

Key Features:

Wowza’s live streaming platform is designed to help developers, event producers, and technical entrepreneurs deliver live and on-demand streaming content.

Detailed Features:

• Cloud management portal
• Full HD streaming
• Several robust security options
• API access for customization
• Live stream recording
• Tools for engagement
• Video analytics
• Mobile streaming
• China video delivery support
• HLS/DASH web streaming

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 Streaming Cloud offers 3 distinct pricing plans and services. Live Event Pricing, monthly plans include:

• Pay As You Go: $25/month, with a 3-month minimum; flexible streaming with low startup costs, and gives you access to all platform features
• One Month of Streaming: $149  for a one-time purchase; includes 15 hours of live streaming and 500 viewing hours also. You can pay for storage of your video content as needed
• Enterprise: custom pricing; Annual subscription plans are available for enterprises. It gives you discounted rates on storage and streaming hours. You can also get 24×7 live streaming features at scale

All of these Live Event plans include full brand control, multi-bitrate streaming, and HD and UHD streaming. 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. You can have up to 10 concurrent transcoded channels, and get a fully-customizable streaming software
• One Month of Streaming: $295 for a one-time purchase + $295month for each additional instance. Other features are the same as the Basic plan
• Enterprise: Please contact Wowza directly for access to their custom-tailored high volume enterprise solutions. These include Flowplayer, CDN, analytics, offline keys, and more

For more details, check out this third-party review of the platform.

FAQ

1. What does OTT mean?

OTT stands for over the top. In simple terms, it means providing movies and television content over the internet instead of traditional methods like cable, satellite TVs, etc. This content is typically on-demand, and the viewers can watch it whenever they want.

2. Is Netflix an OTT?

Yes, Netflix is one of the biggest OTT streaming platforms in the world, as it delivers movies and TV shows to its users. It works on the SVOD monetization model, where it monetizes the content through subscriptions. Netflix also has an ad-supported pricing tier now.

3. What is OTT in TV?

It’s when you access OTT content and apps through a smart TV that’s connected to the internet. These apps could be ones like YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, etc.

4. What is OTT called in the USA?

OTT is known by numerous names in the USA, including internet television, online TV, and streaming television. It’s also called VOD TV.

5. Which VOD streaming platforms are the best?

Here are the best platforms you can use for VOD streaming:

• Dacast
• IBM Cloud Video
• Kaltura
• Wistia
• Brightcove
• Muvi
• Vidyard
• Vimeo OTT
• JW Player
• Wowza

Conclusion

With VOD streaming on OTT platforms, your audience receives valuable content and the convenience they demand.

For detailed breakdowns of each of these VOD platforms, you may want to read more in our in-depth comparison articles on live streaming and over-the-top OTT platforms.

The great part about OTT streaming and video on demand is that it’s not an either-or proposition – broadcasters gain the most by utilizing both. You can create live streams to interact, build rapport with audiences, and utilize VOD to repurpose recorded content. All while saving costs and improving service at the same time.

Adding live stream sessions to your video-on-demand and OTT library gives viewers 24-hour access to your offerings. VOD allows them to watch content whenever and wherever they choose. Your audience receives memorable online experiences and the convenience (and performance) they demand.

If you’re ready to discover how our optimized live streaming and VOD solutions can change your OTT business, check out Dacast’s 14-day free trial (no credit card required) and see for yourself. Click the button below, and you’ll be signed up in minutes.

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Thanks for reading. If you have any questions or experiences, please let us know. And for regular tips on live streaming, join our LinkedIn group.