The 10 Best OTT Streaming Services (+10 OTT Platforms for Building Your Own) 2023

OTT platforms

The way we consume entertainment content, particularly video, has changed drastically over the last decade. The number of people turning to the internet for news, livestreaming, entertainment, education, and more has skyrocketed. The OTT platforms market is powered by over-the-top (OTT) video technology. The OTT video services market is consistently rising, predicted to be  worth $247 billion by 2027.

Businesses are hopping on this trend by creating online video companies to build brand awareness and provide value to their audience. That, in turn, fuels the growing demand for OTT channels that can reliably and securely host over-the-top streams.

Many companies seize this opportunity to monetize their video content and build top-quality OTT broadcasting services and platforms.

Picking the right OTT channel for your organization’s needs from all the choices available today is quite a task. Today, we’re going to discuss precisely what an OTT platform and over-the-top streaming are before we compare 10 of the best online OTT streaming platform services that viewers use to access their favorite video content.

Then, we will compare over the top 10 best OTT platforms broadcasters use to host, manage, and monetize their online video libraries. We’ll cover some of the best over-the-top  video platforms, including Dacast, IBM Cloud Video, JW Player, Vimeo OTT platform, Wowza, and more.

What is an OTT Streaming Service?

OTT Video Platform

An over-the-top (OTT) streaming service helps content creators bring their content to viewers via the Internet.

OTT is short for “over-the-top,” This media distribution method serves as an alternative to traditional satellite or cable television.

Over-the-top technology is distributing more and more media each day. In fact, it has redefined our media distribution channels to the extent that most media is not delivered to consumers via the internet. Some industry leaders even advocate that we stop differentiating between OTT and broadcast and cable TV, entirely.

OTT streaming services are apps or websites viewers use to access their favorite programs and movies. These services are accessible on all internet-enabled devices, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

Typically, over-the-top video streaming services limit access to paying viewers using one of these methods:

  • TVOD: Viewers pay for access on a pay-per-view basis. They can either rent or buy a particular video. Purchasing gives them lifetime access to it and renting usually lets you watch it for a specific period.
  • SVOD: Viewers are granted unlimited on-demand access to the platform on a subscription basis. They get access to the content based on their plan and its duration. Usually subscriptions are monthly or annual.
  • AVOD: Online broadcasters monetize their content with sponsored advertisements, m

The OTT Streaming Industry at a Glance

Video player OTT
Video player OTT

OTT streaming platforms are more popular than ever since they put more control in the hands of both viewers and broadcasters. Thanks to OTT platform technology, both the creators and consumers are free from the regulations and restrictions of television networks.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the top trends in over-the-top online streaming:

  • Streaming on smart TVs and CTVs is on the rise as more viewers cut the cable cord and opt for top online streaming companies
  • The OTT marketing companies industry is forecasted to be worth $1.039 trillion by 2027
  • As more OTT platforms enter the market, UX is more important than ever
  • Over half of OTT revenue comes from advertisements
  • Nearly a third of OTT subscriptions in the United States go to Netflix
  • Live streaming only accounts for 24% of over-the-top streaming around the world

Check out our dedicated OTT trends post to learn more about this industry’s direction.

The 10 Best OTT Streaming Services of 2023

Ott for film maker
Ott for filmmakers

There are many OTT video streaming services on the market. Some of these are niche-specific services, and others have broader offerings and are geared toward a more general audience. Some focus on OTT live streaming, and others only offer on-demand content. Most offer free content, premium content, or a mix of both.

What all OTT streaming services have in common is that they all use the same internet connection to deliver video content.

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the most popular OTT streaming services.

1. Netflix

 

netflix ott service

Netflix is one of the original OTT streaming servicesIt started as an online DVD rental shop. Its quick adaptation as live streaming technology began to surface is part of its success.

Today, Netflix is one of the largest on-demand streaming platforms on the internet, featuring over 15,000 titles. Unlike Apple TV, Netflix features titles from other production companies, and original content is only available on its platform.

Netflix offers three different monthly pricing plans that include unlimited, ad-free streaming. However, the online streaming company recently launched an ad-supported pricing tier as well. Plans range from US$6.99 to US$22.99 a month. 

2. Disney+

Disney Plus OTT
Disney Plus OTT

Disney+ is an over-the-top streaming service offering access to films and TV series owned by The Walt Disney Company. These include programs by Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star, National Geographic, and Star Wars.

Disney+ Basic costs $7.99/month or $79.99/year for unlimited, streaming access with ads.

Disney+ Premium costs $13.99/month or $139.99/month for unlimited ad-free streaming and ability to download online content.

Disney+ can be bundled with other streaming services, including Hulu.

3. Hulu

 

hulu ott service

 

Hulu is another popular over-the-top video service. Hulu is different from Netflix, as new episodes are uploaded the day after they air.

Hulu offers six pricing plans, including

  • Hulu: 7.99/month
  • Hulu (No-Ads): $17.99/month
  • Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ and ESPN+: $76.99/month
  • Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ (No Ads) and ESPN+: $81.99/month
  • Hulu (No-Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (No-Ads) and ESPN+: $89.99/month
  • Live TV only: $75.99/month

In addition to these plans, Hulu offers add-ons and bundled packages that give viewers access to other collections of content, as well.

4. ESPN+

ESPN plus OTT
ESPN plus OTT

ESPN+ is an OTT service dedicated to sports streaming. This service differs slightly from the others we’ve covered because it focuses on live video streaming.

However, this broadcasting company also offers ESPN+ originals that are available on demand. The content, however, is all related to sports.

ESPN+ offers the following plans:

  • $10.99/month
  • $109.99/year

It can be purchased as part of a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu as mentioned in Hulu’s pricing above.

5. Prime Video

 

Amazon’s own service, Prime Video, offers unlimited access to a library of video content with a subscription, and it also has additional content available for rent or purchase.

One unique feature of this OTT video platform is that users can purchase access to films that are still in theaters. Prime Video also has access to live programming, like sporting events.

Prime Video is included in the Amazon Prime membership. However, certain movies might have to be purchased separately and aren’t included in your subscription.

6. HBO Max

HBO Ott Service
HBO Ott Service

An exciting aspect of HBO Max’s over-the-top service is that it offers access to movies that are still in theaters at no additional cost.

HBO Max comes in two pricing tiers:

  • Streaming with ads costs $9.99/month
  • Ad-free streaming is $15.99/month
  • Ultimate Ad-Free is $19.99/month

7. YouTube TV

 

YouTube Video Hosting

YouTube TV offers both subscriptions for unlimited streaming and pay-per-view for accessing individual pieces of content. YouTube TV offers live streaming access from over 85 television channels and is popular with video gamers, similar to the  Twitch streaming platform.

This over-the-top service costs $72.99/month.

8. Starz

Starz OTT
Starz OTT

Starz was originally a television network, but the content available from the network is now available on a dedicated OTT service.

Users can log into Starz with the credentials to their account with their television providers. Users without a television or cable subscription can get an online subscription for $9.99/month or save about $49 by paying $69.99 per year.

9. Sling TV

 

Sling TV is another OTT streaming service that originated as a television network. It combines the traditional live television experience with the more modern internet-based, video on demand on-demand streaming experience.

One unique aspect of SlingTV is that it provides access to local stations.

Sling TV has raised its prices and will start charging $40/month for its Sling Blue, or Orange plans individually or $55/month if you purchase both. 

10. Peacock

Peacock OTT
Peacock OTT

Peacock, a ri sing star among newer OTT streaming services, is owned by NBCUniversal, which is a subsidiary of Comcast. Peacock features many different types of movies and television series, including titles owned by NBC and some Peacock originals.

Users can start streaming on Peacock for a free trial. Upgrading to Peacock Premium for $5.99/month or $59.99/year opens access to a larger content library. Premium Plus at $11.99/month or $119.99/year gives access to the same content library, more live content, ability to download it, and ad-free streaming.

What is an OTT Platform?

An OTT platform is the software broadcasters use to host their online video content. Most professional OTT platforms are equipped with tools for storing, managing, and delivering content to viewers over the internet and mobile devices. Many even offer online livestreaming capabilities to broadcasters who want to launch live videos.

Professional OTT platforms range from $10/month to over $1000/month. To create an OTT streaming site like Netflix and the other sites we mentioned, you’ll need the support of a well-equipped

How to Choose an OTT Platform

There are dozens of OTT platforms on the market, so you’ll have to do some research to find the one that will help you reach your over-the-top streaming goals.

Features of the Best OTT Platforms: What to Look For

Wondering what are the best OTT apps and platforms out there among all the OTT service options? Here are a few specific OTT features to look out for as you compare options, including online content delivery, monetization,  broadcasting features,  API access, and pricing.

  1. Content delivery
  2. Live streaming (broadcasting) features
  3. VOD hosting capabilities
  4. Video monetization
  5. Video API
  6. Reliable security tools
  7. White-label streaming
  8. Global content delivery via a Video CDN
  9. Data analytics
  10. User-friendliness
  11. User support
  12. Video library management

Content delivery is important to consider as it impacts your video quality and the audience you can reach. You’ll want to choose the best OTT platform that works with a reliable, global delivery network. It ensures that your content reaches the viewers with minimal lag and improves the online broadcast experience.

Ideally, OTT platforms for businesses should include features such as live streaming functions, video on demand, and professional video hostin g.  The top platforms should also offer options like adaptive bitrate streaming that enables viewers to watch your broadcast uninterrupted even when their internet speeds fluctuate. It ensures that your online broadcast’s bitrate changes based on the viewer’s internet speed to keep the stream going.

If your goal is to live stream, you’ll need to select an OTT video hosting platform that supports live streaming.

Next on our key features list is API access. Video API provides programmatic access to video platform functionality. Broadcasters use video APIs in many different ways. You should choose an OTT platform with the video API you need to customize your video content management system (CMS) to your liking.

Player API access is another valuable tool. It works similarly to video API, but involves customizing the video player instead of the video CMS.

Monetization is another major feature of broadcasters. There are three main ways to monetize content:

Top broadcasting platforms also provide hybrid monetization options where you can mix multiple strategies to drive more revenue. One-time events like sports are perfect for , and subscriptions are perfect for recurring content. Ads are a great option for content designed to build brand awareness.

Lastly, live streaming pricing should come into play. Your budget should be determined by your available resources and your expected return on investment. There are  top  OTT platforms and services with a wide range of price points, but you want to look for one with consistent pricing and low bandwidth costs instead of a pay-as-you-go model.

Comparison of the 10 Best OTT Platforms for 2023

Before we look at some of the best OTT platforms and streaming services available to professional broadcasters, it is important to note that different features are required to reach different broadcasting goals

For example, monetization tools are a must if you are building a live streaming software service to generate revenue. However, monetization tools aren’t a deal-breaker if you’re using your OTT platform to host and deliver internal content.

With that in mind, let’s look at the top 10 OTT Platforms in the world for video streaming.

1. Dacast

ott platform dacast

Many professional broadcasters turn to Dacast as their only other original OTT streaming services and live streaming platform of choice since it offers both live streaming and VOD hosting.

Dacast is a unified streaming platform for broadcasters that offers VOD and live streaming services. It has a wide spread of powerful, full OTT content and technology features that are well-suited for professional broadcasters. This platform is  password protected and easy to use to  distribute video content to viewers around the world securely.

Key Features

Pros

Cons

  • A large range of features require a bit of an initial learning curve

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)
  • Video 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’s live streaming pricing plans begin with the Starter Plan, and include the following:

  • Starter Plan: $39/month (includes 1,000 GB of bandwidth & 50 GB of storage)
  • Event Plan: $63/month (includes 6 TB of bandwidth upfront and 50 GB of storage)
  • Scale Plan: $165/month (includes 24 TB of bandwidth per year and 2 TB of storage)

However, Event and Scale users can also purchase custom plans for greater bandwidth needs  and  free content. Dacast is one of over the top five leading OTT live streaming media services platforms globally.

2. IBM Cloud Video

ibm OTT platform

IBM Cloud Video’s biggest setback is its lack of monetization features.

 

IBM Cloud Video is another competitor worth mentioning in our best OTT platforms comparison. This  broadcasting  platform is part of IBM, which is a leader in the technological world. IBM Cloud Video offers video hosting for both live and on-demand content.

One previous setback of IBM Cloud Video was that the OTT broadcasting platform did not offer monetization options. However, they have recently added these tools, making it an acceptable solution for broadcasters who aim to generate revenue with their content.

The ability to support 4K video streaming also makes it a great platform if you want to deliver a great user experience.

Key Features

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

Pros

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

Cons

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

Upload Guidelines and Specs

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

Pricing

IBM pricing plans range from $99 to $999 per month and include the following:

  • Silver: $129/month
  • Gold: $649/month
  • Platinum: $1299/month
  • Custom: Please contact IBM Cloud video for custom plan pricing as well as payment plans.

3. JW Player

OTT video platform player

JW player is a veteran in the video streaming game.

JW Player is most well-known for its popular video player. The code for this video player was used as part of the first YouTube video player code. However, they recently launched a live streaming service as well.  JW Player includes a full suite of powerful tools, including an HTML5 video player that supports the latest technologies such as the MPEG-DASH protocol, multi-bitrate streaming, simulcast to Facebook Live, DRM, and more.

Additionally, JW Player provides complete customization on its plans and gives a 30-day free trial so you can get a feel of it before choosing it as your top online broadcasting platform.

Key Features

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

Pros

  • High-quality video player
  • Clean user-interface

Cons

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

Upload Guidelines and Specs

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

Pricing

With JW Player, live streaming support begins at a free trial level. There are 3 pricing plan tiers:

JW Player has custom pricing plans. You can get in touch with their team to check for the pricing details. That said, you can get a 30-day free trial to get a feel of the platform first. 

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.

4. Vimeo Livestream

Vimeo OTT platform

Vimeo has a variety of hosting solutions for different and popular, OTT streaming platforms, services and content providers’ video streaming needs.

After many years as a streaming service, Livestream was acquired by Vimeo in late 2017. Today, both businesses operate OTT video streaming services under Vimeo’s name.  Vimeo has integrated an OTT solution into its services. Let’s take a closer look at Vimeo’s OTT services.

Key Features

  • Simulcasting and multistreaming support
  • Viewer engagement tools (polling and chat options)
  • Powerful security tools
  • Custom video gallery pages
  • In-house content delivery
  • White-label video player

Pros

  • Global content delivery
  • Customization for on-brand streaming
  • Tools for promoting interaction and engagement

Cons

  • Support required to access some features

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 Livestream offers three main pricing plans, including:

1) Vimeo Premium:

  • Premium pricing: $75/month
  • Their Premium 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:

  • You need to get in touch with the Vimeo team to find the pricing of Vimeo OTT.

5. Wowza

wowza ott broadcasting

Wowza is more than an original. the OTT services are service providers of streaming services and video platform. They offer streaming-related hardware, as well.

Wowza is another fully capable OTT platform geared toward professional broadcasting. Wowza allows broadcasters to build highly customized streaming workflows using third-party integrations, APIs, and other advanced features.

The major downfall of this OTT service is that it does not support video monetization, which makes it an unsuitable OTT platform for businesses. However, Wowza is ideal for internal business use but makes it an ineligible candidate for streaming as a service. You could, however, use it for marketing your products through livestreaming of product launches, interactive sessions between customers and your team, and more. 

Key Features

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

Pros

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

Cons

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

Upload Guidelines and Specs

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

Pricing

Wowza recently overhauled its pricing plans and added several options. These are split into two main tiers: Streaming Cloud and Streaming Engine.

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

  • Pay As You Go: $25/month, with a 3-month minimum; flexible OTT streaming with low startup costs
  • One Month of Streaming: $149 one-time purchase; includes 15 hours of live streaming and 500 viewing hours also at 720p
  • Enterprise: You can customize the plan according to your requirements and get a custom price for the same.

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

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

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

6. Kaltura

kaltura business video hosting

Kaltura is a cloud video access and full access OTT content and services and content streaming solution geared towards large institutions.

 

Kaltura is open-source software that offers a unique OTT streaming technology platform that focuses on  educational institutions. It is perfect for hosting large content libraries and delivering it with a branded video player. What makes Kaltura’s OTT service unique is that it is customizable thanks to various integrations. Kaltura also provides cloud-based hosting and streaming services as a base for these customizations. With its open-source foundation, Kaltura is highly customizable and extensible. Companies can build their own integrations and add-ons to meet specific needs.

That said, while Kaltura is a top online broadcasting platform, it falls behind in terms of user friendliness. It’s slightly complicated to use and has a long learning curve, making it inaccessible to beginners. 

Key Features

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

Pros

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

Cons

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

Upload Guidelines and Specs

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

Pricing

Kaltura’s pricing is based on a “pay-as-you-go” model and is very flexible. Please contact their sales team for a custom quote.

7. Vidyard

 vidyard ott platform solution

Vidyard is a business-focused mobile and OTT platform and devices platform.

Vidyard is a top  OTT platform for businesses that provides users with many unique tools and features. This  video streaming platform is geared towards marketing and sales since its features are designed to turn viewers into customers. The Vidyard platform includes tools to improve audience reach and viewer engagement so broadcasters can use it to generate qualified leads.

But the biggest drawback of Vidyard is that you can’t reach China audiences for your online streams. Instead, broadcasters would have to opt for other top platforms that have servers in China.

Key Features

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

Pros

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

Cons

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

Upload Guidelines and Specs

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

Pricing

Vidyard pricing plans come in four tiers. All plans are billed annually or monthly, and are priced as follows for billing annually:

  • Free – $0/month
  • Pro – $19/month
  • Plus – $59/month
  • Business – Custom pricing

Check out Vidyard’s pricing plans for more information.

8. Wistia

Wistia OTT Video Hosting

Wistia is another great option for the OTT industry for media services and distribution.

Wistia is a video hosting solution and excellent OTT platform for businesses serving the video hosting and media distribution industry for over a decade. Students created it to primarily serve educational institutions and businesses.

Key Features

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

Pros

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

Cons

  • Limitations on brand customization
  • No China delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs

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

Pricing

Wistia has four pricing plan tiers:

  • Free: No cost to use; ten videos; cannot remove Wistia’s branding from the video player
  • Plus: $19/month, up to 20 videos a year.
  • Pro: $79/month; 50 free videos with additional videos for $1/each; white-label video player
  • Advanced: $319/month; 250 free videos with additional videos for $0.50/each; all integrations included
  • Premium: Custom pricing with up to 1000 free videos, each additional video at $0.25/video and all other features

9. SproutVideo

SproutVideo OTT hosting platform

SproutVideo has been serving the broadcasting community for a decade.

SproutVideo is a Brooklyn-based business OTT platform equipped with top-tier marketing tools. It supports both the top five OTT content providers and business apps for live streaming and on-demand video hosting.  This OTT service is designed primarily for business broadcasting.

Key Features

  • Total API access
  • White-label HTML5 video player
  • Support for both VOD and live stream hosting
  • A full suite of marketing tools
  • Custom video portals for an on-brand viewing experience

Pros

  • Wide range of pricing options
  • Customizable video player
  • Video analytics

Cons

  • Premium support on expensive plans only
  • Effective security only available with top-tier plans

Upload Guidelines and Specs

  • Minimum dimension: None
  • Maximum dimension: None
  • Supported aspect ratios: Any
  • Maximum file size: Up to 100 GB
  • Maximum video length: Unlimited
  • Total file storage: 500 GB
  • Accepted video formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MKV, 3GPP

Pricing

SproutVideo offers four pricing plans to target different budgets. They include:

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

Check out SproutVideo’s pricing plans for more information.

10. Brightcove

Brightcove Cloud OTT Video Hosting

Brightcove is a Boston-based mobile and OTT apps, services and devices platform that is both reliable and capable.

Brightcove is another trusted solution in the OTT video platform. Its cloud video hosting suite is equipped with everything broadcasters need to succeed over the top and in online video hosting. Brightcove is primarily geared towards  business video hosting use, but you can build custom packages to include all of the tools broadcasters need to create a streaming media platform.

Key Features

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

Pros

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

Cons

  • High pricing
  • No China video delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs

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

Pricing

Brightcove doesn’t publish its pricing plans for any of its plans. You have to get in touch with their team of experts to ascertain your requirements and get pricing plan details. 

Brightcove also doesn’t publish its pricing plans for Video Cloud live streaming services online. For a customized quote, you need to  contact them directly to discuss your specific business needs.

FAQs

1. What is OTT platform?

OTT stands for over-the-top, which means content that’s transmitted to the users over the internet. OTT platforms are those content providers that deliver streaming content to users via the internet to multiple devices like mobile phones, smart TVs, tablets, and laptops. They bypass traditional modes like cable, satellite, and others.

2. Is Netflix a OTT?

Yes, Netflix is an OTT platform as it delivers content to its users over the internet. Its users don’t have to use other modes to access its content. Netflix is among the most popular OTT platforms in the world and has a user base of well over 247.2 million users.

3. Which is the best OTT platform?

The best OTT platforms that you can use to create your OTT app include:

  • Dacast
  • IBM Cloud Video
  • JW Player
  • Vimeo Livestream
  • Wowza
  • Kaltura
  • Vidyard
  • Wistia
  • SproutVideo
  • Brightcove

4. Is YouTube considered OTT?

Yes, YouTube can be considered an OTT platform where the content comes from users. It uses advertising and subscription (AVOD and SVOD) to monetize the platform. It’s also among the biggest OTT platforms with well over 2 billion monthly active users.

5. What is the world’s largest OTT platform?

YouTube is the world’s largest OTT platform with over 2 billion monthly active users. But if you consider on-demand platforms that use the subscription model to generate revenue, Netflix is the biggest one with over 247.2 million users.

Conclusion

Watching subscription-based OTT video services is already a daily habit for 60 percent of adults in the US. As a broadcaster, tapping into this market means utilizing the best tools for the job.

Given the size of this industry, and the potential it holds, now is a great time to involve yourself in this trend. One of the first steps in getting started is choosing an OTT platform or video platform to host, manage, and monetize your streaming service.

The best way to choose an OTT platform provider is by taking advantage of free trials. That way, you can test out all the features and ensure that the platform is equipped with everything you need to reach your OTT streaming goals.

If you are still deciding between OTT platforms and want to try Dacast, we recommend signing up for our 14-day free trial. That way, you can test out all of our features before committing.

Lastly, did you find this article helpful, or do you have other comments or feedback? Let us know what you think via the chatbot below. We love to hear from our readers! For exclusive offers and regular live streaming tips, you can also join our LinkedIn group. Thanks for reading and, as always, good luck with your broadcasts!

Max Wilbert

Max Wilbert is a passionate writer, live streaming practitioner, and has strong expertise in the video streaming industry.