Live streaming is a useful asset for any brand or content producer. They can use it to interact with their audience in real-time and determine whether or not their online presence is in line with their objectives. Also, it helps build visibility, which eventually broadens the brand’s influence within the digital environment.
Although making live videos might seem like it should be given, it is much easier said than done. The good news is that a lot of the work has already been done for you by this list of the top live-streaming platforms. Continue reading to discover the best live-streaming websites that are dependable and simple to use, as well as the appropriate live-streaming instruments you may employ to advance your reach.
What Is a Live Streaming Platform?
With a live streaming platform, you can upload your live footage and provide it to your audience instantly rather than having to record and upload it. You can publish and distribute video content with your users live using a live streaming platform, which can also be called a video hosting service. Like live TV, you can view, make, and share videos in real time using live streaming technology.
Things to Consider While Choosing a Live Streaming Platform
It can be challenging to decide which live-streaming platform is best for you. Be sure the platform you choose has the features and cost that suit your requirements. The following are some of the key things to watch out for:
Easy to Use
The live streaming platform you use should be simple to set up and navigate so that you can make changes immediately.
Options for Customization
The top streaming services will give you the chance to brand your material with overlays, for example. Some platforms allow you to fully customize the look and content of your stream, giving you a truly white-label experience.
Limits on Streaming and Viewers
The top live streaming services won’t place restrictions on the number of viewers who may see your live broadcast or the monthly data allowance. Choose a streaming service provider that can grow with you.
Options for Monetization
The majority of streamers desire to make money from their online output. Your live video streaming platform should make it simple to distribute the material to certain subscribers or viewers only.
Pricing
Prices vary between video platforms, depending on factors including the number of hours and amount of bandwidth you need to stream each month, the level of video quality you demand, and more.
Comparison of the Top 6 Live Streaming Platforms
We’ve produced a list of the top live-streaming services available to help you focus your search. Professional streaming services and social media streaming platforms are the two types of streaming services. Professional streaming platforms cost more on average, but they frequently offer more features and give you more control over your stream content in exchange.
Restream
Restream is a browser-based multistreaming tool that enables you to produce captivating live videos and simultaneously streams them to numerous locations. The streaming is supported by Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitch, and any other live video service. You can upload previously recorded videos to Restream to make them live as well as broadcast live streams to your website.
Features
- A studio for live streaming from a browser
- Multistream simultaneously to several platforms
- Live conversation on multiple platforms in one window
- Publish and watch recorded videos online
- Monitoring and analytics for live streams
- Use a web player to embed live feeds on your website.
- Incorporating live shopping with product QR codes
- Use unique backdrops, logos, and visuals.
- Use a secure link to invite distant viewers to the stream.
- Share content on your channel and the channels of your guests Make recordings of streams or utilize the Studio to record a video.
IBM Cloud Video
You can stream live content and host video on demand with IBM Cloud Video, which offers support for numerous content delivery networks (CDNs). You may hold large-scale virtual events and internal employee meetings because of its scalability. For business and professional use cases, IBM offers a cloud video streaming solution that includes HD broadcasting, specialized support, password-protected channels, and video recording. Although using IBM’s streaming platform isn’t free, you may sign up for a 30-day trial.
Features
- Live discussion
- On-demand captioning
- Polling, and Q&A
- Broadcasting in 720p
- VOD storage
- Personalized channel page
- Preserve live video recordings.
- On mobile devices, videos can be seen
- Analytics for video
Vimeo Livestream
Today, Vimeo provides live video streaming and video hosting to companies of all sizes after acquiring the Livestream platform in 2017. Vimeo offers free video hosting, but you must subscribe to one of its expensive plans to use the live streaming feature. To give customers a more integrated experience, Vimeo has also created proprietary streaming hardware and software that easily connects with its live streaming platform. Use Vimeo’s over-the-top (OTT) media tools to launch your premium subscription channel. Any sort of video media delivered over the internet as opposed to cable, broadcast, or satellite television is simply referred to as OTT.
Features
- Streaming at a variable bitrate
- Online events with personalized registration forms
- Lower thirds, transitions, and logos in live video
- Live chat includes features for moderating, polling, and Q&A
- Simulcast across several platforms
- Live streaming in 1080p
- Video management and archiving
- Event monetization in real time
- Analyses of live video
Wowza
You can broadcast live videos to your website, social media accounts, or application using the live video streaming and hosting service Wowza. Wowza has solutions for low-latency streaming, a content management system, and a content delivery network. Wowza’s use cases include live events and OTT channels. It offers solutions for low latency streaming, a content management system, and a content delivery network. You can use the Wowza Streaming Engine to host live videos on your servers or Wowza’s streaming cloud.
Features
- Constant streaming
- Hosting multi-bitrate VOD transcoding
- Video management using the platform’s integrated Wowza CMS CDN
- Player for videos on all devices
- Video analytics in real time
- Ads can be integrated
- High-speed streaming
- Live interactive streaming
Dacast
Secure live streaming and VOD hosting services are provided by Dacast. It’s a good option for paying for events or online classes because you may stream password-protected and user-restricted videos on your website. The API-based live streaming platform works with several CDNs and enables you to include video into your apps and OTT platform. Good use cases for Dacast include live lectures, athletic events, internet radio, and conferences.
Features
- Ad-free television with monetization possibilities
- Built-in paywall
- Hosting for mobile streaming and online video
- Video CMS playlist scheduler and video chapter markers
- Dashboard for analytics with many users
Brightcove
Brightcove is a platform for providing video on demand, live streaming, and cloud encoding. A variety of products are available to meet various purposes, including various streaming studios for marketing, internal teams, and media organizations. For sizable broadcasters that serve audiences worldwide, Brightcove also offers an enterprise-level solution. With Brightcove’s server-side ad-insertion technology, live video producers can monetize their work while giving viewers a buffer- and an ad-free experience.
Features
- Adaptive bitrate and multi-bitrate streaming
- Video API access
- CRM integration
- Closed captions
- Performance Analytics
- Domain restriction
- Streaming to social channels
Using live streaming platforms to engage your audience is no doubt the best strategy. Yet picking a live streaming program is not simple, just like picking any other digital tool. Take into account the factors discussed in this article and choose as per your requirements. If you found this a helpful read, you can contact OTT for further assistance regarding SEO services or related marketing operations.
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By SEO
- Feb 23, 2023
By SEO
