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The 12+ Best Private Live Streaming Platforms in 2025

Published On November 7th, 2024 4222OTT

Explore the 12 top private live streaming platforms you’ll need to conduct online events, webinars, virtual meets, broadcasts, video podcasts, talk shows, or more. 

Gone are the days of arranging travel, accommodations, and conveniences for your guests when hosting an event. Content creators are now so fond of live streaming platforms for recording, editing, and posting their video content. 

In general, live video streaming can be done privately or publicly. 

In this article, I will take you through the following details about private Live Streaming Services.

  • What exactly is the private live streaming platform?
  • A comprehensive guide to implementing live streams 
  • List of the best 10 live-streaming platforms
  • Security features and benefits of live streaming

Let’s jump right in! 

What Is Private Live Streaming?

Private live streaming is a technology that allows creators to broadcast content to a selective group of audience members so that they can watch videos, comment on the live feed, participate in polls, and chat with the host or other audience.

A few examples of a private live stream include:

  • Virtual workshops
  • Internal organizational meetings
  • Webinars
  • Conferences 
  • Private team meets

In general, private video sharing is used only for internal purposes. However, you can stream these private streams on-demand basis, by allowing access to people who are willing to pay and watch the videos.

 
Make your live streaming experience a professional one with this platform

Do You Need Private Live Streaming Service For Your Business?

Of course, yes! Private live streaming can prove to be beneficial for businesses or brands that are conducting online webinars, events, board meetings, or simply for internal communication.

Therefore, here’s a quick sneak into the reasons why you need to set up live streams for your audience. 

Fact #1

Live streams are easy to consume

Like many of us, 80% of consumers prefer to watch live streams rather than to read a blog with the same content. 

Fact #2

They are easily accessible

82% of us watch live streams on social media posts.

Fact #3          

The young generation loves live streams

Are you somewhere between 18-34 years? Well, your age group covers the majority of live streaming consumers, with a whopping 62% at scale. 

Fact #4

People watch it longer

When it comes between VOD vs Live Streams, the attention span of viewers is almost 20x longer. 

The list does not end here!

But these reasons are surely enough to choose live video streaming service to gather an audience and retain them. 

Private Live Streaming Platforms : Key Features

If you are thinking about streaming videos privately, there are several features that you need to consider during the development stage.

CDN

CDN (Content Delivery Network) is a technology that uses a geographically distributed network of servers to deliver optimal video quality to users. It does this by caching content from the nearest server locations to the viewer’s device. 

This feature is required when your users have different network conditions. Because none would reap the benefits of a slow, lag-filled content streaming service.

Security and Privacy

Security and Privacy are two important parameters required to protect your live streams from third-party intrusions and spammers.

Therefore, the best way to protect your content is by using encryption mechanisms like DRM, AES-128, and SSL. 

Video Encoding and Transcoding

Video encoding is a technique that compresses a video’s original file size into smaller sizes. Whereas, transcoding is a process to convert files from one format to another. 

Trust me, mates, adapting to these two features would be a great option for you. Otherwise, it would be daunting to manually convert streams to varied formats from the original format. 

Video API

A video API is a tool or best described as a protocol for transcoding videos and playing them via a video player. However, some video APIs also give users the flexibility to retrieve analytical data on content performance. 

Plus, you may also need a server API to manage video data and a player API to embed, customize, and add interactive features. 

Analytics

A video analytics setup helps you track the number of viewers that watch your content, watch duration, and engagement. Because, running an app or WhatsApp is not enough.

You’ll need to track viewer behavior and understand what your audience really needs.

Plus, the video analytical data helps you customize your video strategies to reach more audiences and make a better impact. 

How To Live Stream Your Video Content Privately

Here is a full breakdown of live streaming process for your platform:

  1. You need a Plan

The more you plan your video streams prior, the more headaches you reduce post-production. 

Segregate each stage of the stream and plan what you need to do exactly in each phase. 

  1. Understand Your Audience, Understand Your Purpose

The primary reason you are running a business is for your audience. And private live video streaming would require a little homework to reach them right.

You need to understand:

  • Who exactly are your streaming your content for
  • Location of the viewers
  • Device or platforms they’ll use
  • In what ways you can reach your audience
  1. Content Topic

After understanding your audience and goals, choose a topic that interests you and addresses what your audience wants. 

Create an outline to guide your live stream, including important details like stats and additional content.

Having a plan helps you make your live stream more engaging and informative.

  1. Build a Team

Next, you need to gather your awesome team to create an amazing live stream! 

You have two options: either go solo and handle everything yourself, or team up with talented individuals. 

Make sure to assign clear roles and responsibilities to everyone involved so that everyone knows what they need to do when it’s showtime. 

Just remember, good communication is key to ensure a seamless and successful live stream.

  1. Setup Live Streaming

Alright, let’s explore your streaming setup.

If you prefer privacy, go with a private video streaming service and control access through invitations or passwords. 

Now, let’s discuss monetization. You can make money from your stream by including ads, offering exclusive content for a fee, or partnering with sponsors. 

By considering these factors and planning ahead, you can create engaging and profitable live streams. 

  1. Select a Private Live Streaming Platform

When it comes to streaming your event privately, your best bet is to go with a professional live streaming platform. 

For instance, if you’re hosting a big paid event, you’ll definitely want monetization features. But if it’s just an internal team stream, monetization is optional. 

  1. Configure Your Streaming Setup

Now it’s time to configure your video streaming platform. For most broadcasters, a professional private live-streaming solution is the way to go. 

Depending on your streaming goals, you might need dedicated software for mixing, editing, adding overlays, or using a green screen.

  1. Promote Your Event

When it comes to private streams like paid virtual events, promotion is key. To maintain privacy, require RSVPs so you can share login credentials with verified participants. 

Promote the event through social media or internal channels, depending on your goal. 

Adapt these ideas to fit your stream’s goals and make sure your intended audience can easily access the private stream.

  1. Set Up Privacy Configurations

To ensure a secure private stream, start by implementing password protection as your first line of defense. 

Explore the privacy and security settings of your online video player and enable additional controls like AES encryption, domain and geographic restrictions, HTTPS video delivery, and dynamic token security. 

Once you have an RSVP list, you can add an extra layer of protection by setting geographic controls, allowing access only from specific countries listed on your RSVP. 

  1. Protect Against Video Piracy

To safeguard your videos against piracy, domain restrictions play a crucial role. They let you control where your video player can be embedded, preventing it from being used on unauthorized websites. 

You can also add watermarks to your videos and utilize a platform with digital rights management (DRM) to protect against piracy.

  1. Begin Streaming

Before you kick off your actual stream, it’s smart to do a test run to catch any glitches or issues in the system. This way, you can fix them before you’re live in front of your audience. 

It’s also a good idea to have someone monitoring the stream throughout to ensure everything runs smoothly and to promptly address any problems that may arise on the viewer’s end.

  1. Repurpose Your Live Stream

    Many private live streaming services allow you to record your stream, so you’ll have a video to work with later. 

Repurposing means finding new ways to use your stream. It’s like turning the existing video streams into an on-demand video, creating short highlight clips, making a podcast, writing a blog post, or even sharing behind-the-scenes content. 

You can also post it on platforms like Facebook Watch or Instagram reels.

Now that you know why you need to build live streams and how to do it, let us now explore the top 12 private live streaming platforms:

12+ Best Live Streaming Platforms You Must Try

Here’s a list of 2024’s paid and free private live streaming platforms, like OnTheFly, Gudsho, VPlayed, MirrorFly and Dacast, who are paving the way for delivering great audience engagements.

Plus, the list below is handpicked after a detailed study of user reviews, ratings, free and paid services, and features

1. VPlayed

The all-in-one platform to monetize your live-streaming videos
vplayed best live streaming platform

VPlayed is a comprehensive private live streaming platform. It allows you to stream, distribute, manage, and monetize your live-streaming videos in one place.

It is fully customizable, white-labeled, and has zero user charges or partner earnings. This means you can keep 100 percent of your monetized revenue without paying commissions.

Launching your private live streaming platform is hassle-free with VPlayed, thanks to secure content delivery, diverse monetization options, and real-time analytics.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, VPlayed offers the right avenue to monetize your live videos and scale faster.

Key VPlayed features include:
  • Customized Branding: Tailor your live streaming platform to reflect your brand’s unique identity.
  • Intuitive Content Management: Effortlessly manage and easily upload your live video library.
  • Cutting-edge Cloud Transcoding: Optimize video quality for an uninterrupted and enjoyable live streaming experience.
  • Seamless HTML5 Player with HLS Streaming: Enjoy smooth playback across the web without the need for additional players.
  • Global Content Delivery Networks: Reach a vast international audience with flawless on-demand and live video distribution.
  • Flexible 10+ Monetization Models: Select from 10 revenue models to enhance your live streaming earnings.
  • Robust Multi-DRM Solution: Ensure stringent video security to protect valuable licensed content.
VPlayed Pros:
  • Fully-customizable platform with platform-level customizations
  • White-labeled private live-streaming platform
  • Flexible 10+ monetization options
  • Global distribution networks
  • Ultra-low latency streaming
Cons:
  • No free trial offered .
  • Pricing is not mentioned on the website.

VPlayed Pricing: VPlayed live streaming platform hasn’t mentioned the pricing on its website.

2. OnTheFly

The all-in-one live streaming platform for creators!

Empowering Businesses with Next-Gen Live Streaming Solutions

OnTheFly is a cutting-edge live-streaming platform that revolutionizes the way you broadcast your content. With unmatched reliability and flexibility, OnTheFly offers seamless live-streaming capabilities when compared to leading providers in the industry.

Whether you’re hosting a webinar, live event, or virtual conference, OnTheFly empowers you to engage your audience with high-quality, real-time video streaming.

Whether it is for professional broadcasts or interactive events, OnTheFly is the go-to choice for exceptional live streaming experiences.

What are the key features of OnTheFly?
  • High-Quality Streaming: Deliver live video content in high definition, ensuring a clear and immersive viewing experience for your audience.
  • Real-Time Interaction: Engage with your viewers through live chat platform, comments, or Q&A sessions, fostering direct communication and audience participation.
  • Multi-Platform Streaming: Stream your live content simultaneously to multiple platforms, such as social media networks, websites, or dedicated streaming platforms, maximizing your reach and accessibility.
  • Video Recording and Archiving: Automatically record and archive your live streams for on-demand viewing, allowing viewers to access the content at their convenience.
  • Virtual Backgrounds and Effects: Enhance your live stream visually by adding virtual backgrounds or special effects, allowing you to create immersive and engaging experiences for your audience.

Pros: You can set up streams in 5 minutes, are platform-friendly, no software downloads and capability to save streams.

Pricing: Available for a monthly subscription

Conclusively, OnTheFly is a versatile live streaming platform that offers a range of features for businesses looking to broadcast their content online

3. MirrorFly

White-label Solution to Build Live Streaming Platforms

live streaming sdk
White-label Solution to Build Live Streaming Platforms

MirrorFly is a leading self-hosted solution that offers a completely customizable streaming solution for businesses. The solution comes with APIs and SDKs that help brands build their own apps for private live streaming. 

The platform is best suited for all tiers of companies, from small to big for its highly flexible hosting models. Businesses that need a deployment infrastructure can host their apps on MirrorFly’s cloud servers. On the other hand, MirrorFly’s self-hosted solutions also lets brands choose to host on their own servers, data centers or cloud. 

Above this, MirrorFly’s private live streaming solution is well-known for its white-labeling option. You can build the entire streaming platform with MirrorFly and still choose to exclude its name, giving a fully-branded experience to your customers. 

Key Features Of MirrorFly
  • Record Live Streams: Allow users to save their favorite streams on their device. 
  • Collaborative Broadcasting: Lets streamers broadcast their shows/ sessions with other co-hosts. 
  • Real-Time Interaction: Drive user interaction during live streams via live chat feature. 
  • High-Quality Video Streaming: Broadcast your video content at the highest quality and give users an highly immersive streaming experience. 
  • Virtual Backgrounds: Allow streamers and hosts to set a custom background that fits their brand style or their content’s details. 
  • Low-latent Streaming: Eliminate lags and stutters during live streams and give the audience a smooth viewing experience.

Pros: You can build a fully customized private live streaming app and white-label it with your own brand logo, colors and custom elements.

Cons: MirrorFly does not offer on-call agenda creation during live streams.

4. Dacast

Empowering Businesses with Cutting-Edge Live Streaming Solutions

Empowering Businesses with Cutting-Edge Live Streaming Solutions

Best For: Businesses, organizations, schools, and individuals who want a professional platform to host and stream videos online.

Dacast is a user-friendly platform that lets you easily stream videos online. Whether you’re hosting live events or sharing pre-recorded content, Dacast helps you reach a wider audience and make money from your videos. 

They have offices in different cities and provide support whenever you need it. It’s a great solution for sharing your videos with the world.

The Detailed Features Of Dacast
  • HD live streaming: Stream your videos in high-definition quality, ensuring a crisp and clear viewing experience for your audience.
  • Monetization: Earn revenue from your video content by implementing various monetization strategies such as pay-per-view, subscriptions, or advertising.
  • White-label branding: Customize the streaming platform with your own branding elements like company logo, colors and themes.
  • Video analytics: Gain valuable insights into viewer behavior, engagement, and performance metrics to make data-driven decisions and optimize your streaming strategy.
  • Secure video delivery: Protect your videos from unauthorized access or piracy with robust security measures and ensure that your content is delivered securely to your intended audience.

Pros: High-quality streaming, intuitive user interface, and wide range of monetization options.

Cons: Higher pricing compared to some competitors, limited free trial options.

Pricing: 

Dacast has different pricing plans to choose from:

  • Starter Plan: It costs $39 per month (if billed annually) and is great for beginners. 

You get 2.4 terabytes of bandwidth (that’s how much data you can stream) and 500 gigabytes of storage for your videos per year.

  • Event Plan: If you want to stream a specific event and don’t want to commit to a contract, this plan is for you. 

It costs $63 per month (or $750 per year) and gives you 6 terabytes of upfront bandwidth and 250 gigabytes of storage. You can add more data and storage if needed.

  • Scale Plan: This plan costs $165 per month (if billed annually) and is designed for larger streaming needs. 

You get 24 terabytes of bandwidth per year, 2,000 gigabytes of storage, and additional features like phone support, monetization options, and more.

  • Custom Plan: If your business requires a lot of streaming and has specific needs, you can contact Dacast to create a custom plan just for you.

Primary Locations Served: United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. 

In conclusion, Dacast is an affordable and professional streaming platform suitable for businesses of all sizes.

5. GUDSHO

The Ultimate Venue For Live Streaming 

GUDSHO provides live streaming that lets creators connect with their audience worldwide in a jiffy. The platform brings CDNs like Akamai, ensuring superfast streaming for every user. 

GUDSHO is perfect for businesses and enterprises that handle a large user base and want a live streaming platform to take such capacity.

The user-friendly interface and the advanced range of features make it even more impressive and worth a try.

Key Features Of GUDSHO
  • Buffer-Free Videos: Using the CDN and adaptive bitrate streaming ensures a smooth live streaming experience.
  • Scalable Platform: Creators can ask for more resources as they grow their channel. This comes in handy for big businesses that need to handle large amounts of traffic.
  • Multiple Revenue Models: Maximize your earning potential using various monetization models such as SVOD, TVOD, and donations.
  • Video Handling Suite: A platform that is an all-in-one venue for all your streaming, marketing, and membership needs.
  • Advanced Analytics: Analytics dashboard provides in-depth information about your viewers, giving you a more profound idea about their behavior and factors.

Pros: Real-time interactions such as comments and emojis, real-time donation option, live streaming monetization is available, scheduling and countdown-like features.

Cons: It doesn’t offer free live streaming.

6. Vimeo Livestream

Elevate Your Live Events with Seamless Streaming

Elevate Your Live Events with Seamless Streaming

Best For: Businesses, event organizers, content creators, and educators who need a reliable platform for live streaming events or sharing videos.

Vimeo Livestream is a platform that makes it easy for creators like you to produce and share exceptional live content.

With its intuitive interface and advanced features, Vimeo is your best option for creating professional live broadcasts that keep your audience engaged.

Key Features of Vimeo Livestream: 
  • Customizable Branding: Take control of your player and apps by seamlessly integrating your brand elements, ensuring a cohesive and professional viewing experience.
  • Ad-Free Viewing: Say goodbye to interruptions and distractions with ad-free streaming, allowing your audience to focus solely on your content.
  • Seamless Social Media Integration: Expand your reach by effortlessly streaming to popular social networks, connecting with a wider audience across multiple platforms.
  • Unlimited Live Events: Host as many live events as you want, without any limitations, ensuring you can engage with your audience whenever and wherever you choose.

Pros: High-quality streaming, user-friendly interface, integration with other Vimeo tools.

Cons: Limited monetization options, and higher pricing for certain features.

Pricing: 

Vimeo Livestream offers three pricing plans:

Vimeo Premium:
  • Price: $75/month
  • Includes live streaming and VOD support
  • Ideal for professional broadcasting
Vimeo Enterprise:
  • Custom pricing (contact Vimeo for details)
  • Includes white-label service, monetization, video API access, branding control, and added security features
Vimeo OTT:
  • Starter Pricing: $1/subscriber per month
  • Growth Pricing: starting at $500/month
  • Designed for web-based OTT channels, suitable for both starting and growing an OTT-business

Primary Locations Served: United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Ultimately, Vimeo Livestream simplifies live video streaming with its integrated hardware and software solutions.

7. JW Player

Customizable Streaming for Your Website or App

Customizable Streaming for Your Website or App

Best For: Media companies, and website developers who want a customizable video player and streaming solution for their websites or apps.

JW Player is a versatile platform that enables you to stream your videos across different devices and platforms effortlessly.

With its customizable player and cutting-edge technology, JW Player is your best option for ensuring a smooth and engaging streaming experience for your viewers.

What features can you find in JW Player?
  • Adaptive Bitrate Streaming: Automatically adjust the quality of your videos to match the viewer’s internet speed, so everyone can enjoy a smooth streaming experience.
  • Global Content Delivery: Deliver your content worldwide, even in places with internet restrictions, by finding a way around those limitations.
  • Video API Integration: Access a special tool called Video API that lets you easily add videos to your apps and websites, making them more engaging for your audience.
  • Security and DRM: Basic security features will protect your videos, and if you need even more advanced security, there are special plans available for that.

Pros: Powerful video playback capabilities, extensive customization options, strong monetization features.

Cons: Pricing can be expensive for small-scale users, complex setup for advanced features.

Pricing: 

JW Player offers three pricing plans:

Free Plan:
  • 30-day free service subscription
  • Includes full API and SDK access and non-commercial license
  • 25 GB hosting bandwidth and 75 GB streaming
Starter Plan:
  • Price: $10/month (billed annually)
  • Includes HTML5 Video Player and video gallery
  • 150 GB hosting bandwidth and 500 GB streaming (50,000 plays) per month
Enterprise Plan:
  • Custom pricing for high-volume storage and streaming
  • Supports live streaming
  • Higher-tier plans designed for VOD (Video on Demand) only

Primary Locations Served: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, and France.

In summary, JW Player offers a cost-effective Starter plan with basic customization and global video delivery.

8. Streamyard

Go Live and Connect with Your Audience Anywhere, Anytime!

Go Live and Connect with Your Audience Anywhere, Anytime!

Best For: Content creators, influencers, marketers, and individuals who want an easy-to-use platform for live streaming and video conferencing on social media.

Streamyard is a user-friendly platform for streaming live videos privately and for conducting virtual events.

Whether you’re hosting interviews, webinars, or multi-platform broadcasts, Streamyard is the best option for delivering an intuitive interface and interactive features to engage your audience easily.

What are the unique features of Streamyard?
  • Graphic Overlays: Add visually appealing elements such as text, images, and animations to enhance your videos and convey important information.
  • Simulcast to Social Media Platforms: Broadcast your live stream simultaneously to multiple social media platforms, expanding your reach and engaging with a larger audience.
  • Custom Branding: Personalize your videos with your own branding elements, such as logos, colors, and designs, to create a consistent and recognizable visual identity.
  • Screen Sharing: Share your computer screen during a live stream, allowing viewers to see what you’re doing or presenting in real time, fostering interactive and informative experiences.
  • Audience Engagement Tools: Utilize interactive features like live polls, Q&A sessions, and chat functionality to actively involve and connect with your viewers, fostering a sense of community and interaction.

Pros: Simple and intuitive interface, seamless integration with social media platforms, interactive features.

Cons: Limited customization options, lower video quality compared to some competitors.

Pricing: 

StreamYard offers four pricing plans:

Free Plan:
  • Limited access
  • Free of charge
Basic Plan:
  • Price: $20/month
  • Includes unlimited streaming, brand customization, graphic overlays, simulcasting, and stream recording
Professional Plan:
  • Price: $39/month
  • Includes up to 10 hours of stream recording, multistreaming to 8 destinations, full 1080p HD, and individual audio recordings
Enterprise Plan:
  • Custom pricing (case-by-case basis)
  • Tailored for enterprise needs

Primary Locations Served: United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and various European countries.

To conclude, Streamyard is a user-friendly live streaming platform, particularly suitable for businesses without dedicated IT support.

9. Wowza

Empowering Scalable Video Streaming for Enterprises and Broadcasters

Empowering Scalable Video Streaming for Enterprises and Broadcasters

Best For: Enterprises, broadcasters, and media organizations that need a powerful and scalable solution for delivering high-quality live and on-demand videos.

Wowza is a powerful platform for live streaming that ensures high-quality video delivery on various devices.

Wowza is the best option for delivering a reliable and seamless viewing experience for your audience.

Which are the popular features of Wowza?
  • Stream Management Dashboard: Conveniently manage and control your live streaming operations through a user-friendly cloud-based dashboard.
  • High-Quality Streaming: Deliver your videos in stunning clarity with support for up to 4K resolution, providing viewers with an immersive viewing experience.
  • Robust Security Options: Choose from a diverse range of security features to ensure the protection of your live streams, offering peace of mind and control over your content.
  • Seamless API Integration: Integrate and customize your live streaming experience effortlessly with accessible APIs, enabling seamless integration with other systems and applications.
  • Live Stream Recording: Capture and save your live streams for later access and on-demand viewing, allowing your audience to revisit your content at their convenience.

Pros: Scalable and reliable streaming infrastructure, comprehensive features for professional streaming needs.

Cons: Steeper learning curve for beginners, higher pricing for certain advanced features.

Pricing: 

Wowza Streaming Engine offers the following pricing plans:

Basic Plan:
  • Price: $175/month + additional costs for each extra instance and prepaid instance
  • Professional-grade streaming
  • Billed annually
One-Month Event Plan:
  • Price: $295/month + additional costs for each extra instance and prepaid instance
  • Designed for one-month events
  • Billed annually
Enterprise Plan:
  • Custom-tailored high-volume enterprise solutions
  • Contact Wowza directly for pricing details

Primary Locations Served: United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Australia.

In conclusion, Wowza offers streaming plans suitable for individuals and businesses, making it a scalable choice for growing streaming needs.

10. IBM Cloud Video

Modern, Secure, and Integrated Streaming Solutions

Modern, Secure, and Integrated Streaming Solutions

Best For: Businesses, media companies, and organizations that require a comprehensive video streaming and management solution with advanced security and integration capabilities.

IBM Cloud Video is a comprehensive platform for live streaming and video-on-demand. The platform offers advanced technology, secure content delivery, and detailed analytics.

IBM Cloud Video is your best option for reaching a global audience and maximizing your video’s impact.

What features can you find in IBM Cloud Video?
  • Enterprise Video Streaming: Professional-grade video streaming for businesses, providing high-quality and secure video delivery for internal communications and training purposes.
  • Enterprise Content Delivery Network: A strong network infrastructure designed to efficiently distribute videos for businesses, ensuring reliable and scalable content delivery to a wide audience.
  • Video Distribution and Workflow: Streamline the process of managing and sharing videos, making it easy to organize and deliver content smoothly from start to finish.
  • OTT Video Management: Simplified management of video content for streaming on various devices and platforms, offering a seamless and enjoyable viewing experience for your audience.
  • Monetization: Explore different ways to make money from your videos, allowing you to generate revenue and maximize the value of your content.

Pros: Robust security features, integration with other IBM Cloud services, scalable streaming infrastructure.

Cons: Higher pricing for enterprise-level features, and limited monetization options.

Pricing: 

IBM offers the following pricing plans:

Silver Plan:
  • Price: $99/month
Gold Plan:
  • Price: $649/month
Platinum Plan:
  • Price: $1299/month
Custom Plan:
  • Contact IBM Cloud video for custom plan pricing.

Primary Locations Served: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany.

Ultimately, IBM Cloud Video is a robust platform for live streaming and video on demand, suitable for businesses of various sizes.

11. Brightcove

Stream, Manage, and Monetize Your Videos!

Stream, Manage, and Monetize Your Videos!

Best For: Media companies, marketers, and businesses looking for a feature-rich platform to manage, distribute, and monetize their video content.

Brightcove is a leading video platform that makes the management and distribution of live streams and on-demand videos easy. 

Brightcove is simply the easiest option to deliver engaging video experiences that drive viewer engagement.

What are the interesting features you can find in Brightcove?
  • Multi-Bitrate and Adaptive Streaming: Enjoy smooth video streaming at different quality levels, adjusting automatically to match your internet connection for uninterrupted playback.
  • Global Content Delivery: Reach a worldwide audience by efficiently delivering your content across different regions and countries.
  • Tech Support with Upgrade Options: Access technical support for assistance, with ticket-based responses that may have longer wait times unless you upgrade to a paid support plan.
  • Video API Access on Custom-Priced Plans: Integrate video capabilities into your applications and platforms using Video API, available on custom-priced plans tailored to your specific needs.
  • Security: Protect your videos with included security features, and explore advanced security options available on custom plans.

Pros: Scalable and reliable streaming infrastructure, extensive monetization capabilities, strong customer support.

Cons: Pricing can be expensive for smaller businesses, and some features may require additional charges.

Pricing: 

Brightcove offers the following pricing plan levels:

Starter:
  • Includes 50 to 200 videos
  • Up to 100,000 plays
  • 2-5 users
Professional:
  • Unlimited videos
  • 100,000+ plays
  • No overage plays
  • +10 users
Enterprise:
  • Unlimited videos
  • 100,000+ plays
  • No overage plays
  • 10+ users
  • Unlimited upload
  • Analytics-only users

Primary Locations Served: United States, United Kingdom, and France.

In summary, Brightcove targets large businesses with its enterprise-level video suite, offering comprehensive features.

12. Kaltura

Transform Your Ideas into Captivating Video Experiences

Transform Your Ideas into Captivating Video Experiences

Best For: Educational institutions, businesses, and media companies that need a complete video platform for managing, publishing, and delivering video content.

Kaltura is an all-in-one video platform that offers solutions for private live streaming, video management, and interactive experiences.

Kaltura is your best option for creating compelling video content that resonates with your target audience.

What features does Kaltura offer?
  • Adaptive Bitrate Streaming: Enjoy smooth video playback regardless of your internet connection, as the streaming quality automatically adjusts to match your network speed.
  • HD Live Streaming and Recording: Stream and save your live events in high-definition, ensuring a clear and immersive viewing experience for your audience.
  • Video Analytics: Gain valuable insights into viewer behavior and engagement with detailed analytics, helping you understand how your videos are being watched and received.
  • Interactive Video Quizzes: Engage your audience with interactive quizzes integrated into your videos, allowing viewers to test their knowledge and participate actively.
  • Multi-Camera Streaming: Capture and stream from multiple camera angles, providing a dynamic and comprehensive viewing experience for your audience.

Pros: Comprehensive video management capabilities, extensive integrations, flexible deployment options.

Cons: Higher learning curve for advanced features, occasional performance issues.

Pricing: 

Kaltura offers a pay-for-what-you-use pricing model:

  • Plans start at approximately $1000 per month
  • Pricing varies based on usage and specific requirements
  • For detailed pricing information, I recommend you contact Kaltura directly.

Primary Locations Served: Canada, Australia, and UAE.

To conclude, Kaltura is a feature-rich live broadcasting platform, catering to technically advanced video production teams.

13. Muvi

Build Your Own Streaming Empire with a Customizable Video Platform

Build Your Own Streaming Empire with a Customizable Video Platform

Best For: Businesses, content creators, and entrepreneurs who want to create their own branded video streaming platform with on-demand and live streaming options.

Muvi is a feature-rich streaming platform that enables you to launch your own branded OTT service easily.

Muvi is your best option for building a successful streaming business and delivering personalized experiences to your viewers.

What are the important features in Muvi?

  • Custom Branded Video Player: Personalize your video player with your own branding elements, ensuring a cohesive and branded viewing experience for your audience.
  • Secure DRM and Protection: Safeguard your videos with Digital Rights Management (DRM) and robust security features, ensuring that your content is protected from unauthorized access or piracy.
  • Monetization Opportunities: Explore various options to generate revenue from your videos, allowing you to monetize your content and maximize your earning potential.
  • HTML5 Video Player: Enjoy seamless video playback across different devices and platforms with an HTML5 video player, providing compatibility and a smooth viewing experience for your audience.
  • Detailed Analytics: Gain valuable insights into viewer behavior, engagement, and performance of your videos through comprehensive analytics, helping you make data-driven decisions to enhance your content strategy.

Pros: Fully customizable and white-label solution, comprehensive monetization options, a wide range of supported devices.

Cons: Limited scalability for large-scale operations, and higher pricing compared to some competitors.

Pricing: 

Muvi offers the following pricing plans:

Standard Plan:
  • Price: $399/month (+ additional fees per app and infra)
  • Allows 2000 concurrent viewers
  • 1TB bandwidth and storage
  • API Access
Professional Plan:
  • Price: $1,499/month (+ additional fees per app and infra)
  • Higher limits and premium support
Enterprise Plan:
Ultimate Plan:
  • Price: $3,900/month (+ additional fees per app and infra)
  • Adds dedicated server with auto-scaling
  • Custom pricing (contact sales)
  • Doubles bandwidth and storage compared to the Enterprise plan
  • Includes your own CDN and unlimited API calls
Black Plan:
  • Custom solution
  • Includes everything in the Ultimate plan
  • Adds premium services and project management

Additionally, there is a 14-day free trial available for Muvi One.

Primary Locations Served: India, United States, and United Kingdom. 

In conclusion, Muvi enables businesses to create and monetize their own streaming platforms, expanding their reach across multiple platforms.

Security Features You Need In Your Video Streams

There are multiple ways spammers and attackers may intrude on live streams. So, it is necessary to adopt strict security and privacy features. A few of them are listed below:

User Authentication

Make sure only users can access streams by logging into their accounts with a username and password.

This way, you can verify their identity and ensure that only trusted individuals can access your private live stream.

Access Control

It’s crucial to have control over who can view your content. Find a platform that allows you to set user roles, permissions, and authentication mechanisms. 

This lets you handpick the authorized viewers, keeping your private live stream exclusive to the right people.

Encryption

Security is a crucial factor for live streams. So go for a platform that offers end-to-end aes encryption. 

This means, from start to finish,  your live stream will be encrypted. So that it is inaccessible to anyone without proper authorization. No unwanted eyes on your content!

Watermarking

Protect your intellectual property with watermarking. Look for a platform that lets you add visible or invisible watermarks to your live stream.

By branding your content, you can easily identify the source and discourage unauthorized sharing.

Content Moderation

Keep things clean and safe with content moderation tools. 

Find a platform that offers automated filters and human moderation to ensure your private live stream remains free from inappropriate content, spam, and abuse. 

It’s all about maintaining a positive viewer experience.

Recording Restrictions

Prevent unauthorized distribution of your content by choosing a platform with recording restrictions. 

You want to have control over who can record your private live stream. Look for features like digital rights management (DRM) and access controls to enforce these restrictions effectively.

By selecting a private streaming platform with these security features, you can have peace of mind knowing that your content is protected, your audience is exclusive, and your private live stream remains confidential.

A Quick Comparison Of Private Streaming Platforms vs. Free Streaming Sites

It is totally understandable why new broadcasters might be tempted to start on free streaming sites like YouTube, Facebook Live, Instagram, Twitch, and TikTok. They’re well-known and, of course, free! Who doesn’t love freebies, right?

But here’s the thing. While these platforms are free and popular, they have some limitations. They might not offer the advanced security features and audience control that private streaming platforms provide.

So, let’s quickly compare free private streaming and professional private streaming and find out which is best for you.

Free Private Stream Platform: Highlights and Challenges

Using a free private stream platform has its pros and cons. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Pros

  • It is completely free to use
  • It’s easy to use
  • You can potentially reach a wide audience since these platforms are popular.

Cons

  • You may have limited features compared to paid platforms.
  • You have less control over your content and may have to follow platform restrictions.
  • The platform’s branding may overshadow your own.
  • Support and reliability might not be as strong as with paid options.

Further, If you need more features, control, and support, upgrading to a paid platform might be worth considering.

Professional Private Streaming Platforms: Highlights and Challenges

Professional private streaming platforms have their own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a quick summary:

Pros

  • Better security measures to protect your content.
  • Advanced features like analytics and branding options for a professional streaming experience.
  • Dedicated customer support to assist you.

Cons

  • They come with a cost.
  • They may have a learning curve to understand and use their features.
  • You may need to handle updates and maintenance.
  • They might have a smaller user base compared to free platforms.

Overall, professional platforms offer improved security, control, and advanced features, but they may require some investment and effort to use effectively.

Benefits Of Live Video Streaming

Hosting a private live stream has its own benefits:

  • More control over content: You can choose who can watch your stream and lets you keep track of who engages with the content.
  • Better engagement: Personal interaction with specific viewers leads to higher engagement.
  • Less promotional work: You don’t have to promote your private stream as much to get viewers.
  • Exclusivity: Private streams create a sense of exclusivity, which can be advantageous for businesses.

Overall, hosting a private stream allows for a more controlled and exclusive streaming experience.

Conclusion:

Keeping your content secure and private is super important when streaming private events. And I believe that my list of the top live video streaming platforms would be of great help to you.

Now that you have all the information from our comparison, choosing the right streaming platform should be easier for you. 

I’d love to hear about your own experiences with private streaming. Share your perspectives on the comment box below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which is the best live streaming platform?

OnThefly is one of the best all-in-one live streaming platforms, given its advanced set of streaming features. However, professional creators and brands also prefer other live-streaming solutions like VPlayed, Gudsho, Dacast, Vimeo, and Streamyard.

Which is the most-popular platform to watch live streams?

Platforms like OnTheFly, Gudsho, and VPlayed are all recognized as the best solutions for watching live streams primarily for its high-quality streaming, interactive chat elements, recording capabilities, browser compatibility, and receiving notifications on latest releases.

Which is the best streaming platform today?

The best live streaming platforms are Youtube, Facebook Live, OnTheFly, and Dacast that are easy to use, do not bill for additional services, have a wide range of feature sets, and come packed with editing tools for producing quality content. 

Where can I stream live/ On which platforms can I stream live?

Surprisingly, most of the social media channels like LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram Live allow you to stream live videos. However, if you need a powerful service to produce quality content and boost engagement rates, you may choose OnTheFly.

Is live streaming free?/ Are all live streams free?

Most of the live streams broadcasted from YouTube Live and Facebook are offered for free to viewers. However, to access some privileged content like webinars and lectures, viewers need to have a paid subscription to the platform. 

How do I start a live stream?/ How to set up live streaming?

It is easy to set up live streams for any event provided you have a powerful streaming service like OnTheFly. Here’s how you can start a live stream:

1. Get started by creating an account and connecting the encoder with the key and URL.
2. Add a list of social media channels you want to stream your content to.
3. Edit audio and video content with in-built editing tools.
4. Finally, launch your streams.

What is a streaming platform?

Streaming platforms are providers of live or on-demand videos to users via an internet connection in real-time. Examples of streaming platforms include Netflix, Prime, Spotify, OnTheFly, Streamyard, and similar. 

Sundar

Hi I'm Sundar. Interested in digging deep into whitelabel OTT Platform & video content management tools. Love to blog, discuss and share views on OTT streaming business management tips and tricks.