Comparing YouTube Live vs Facebook Live to Top Video Platform Alternatives [2024 Update]

Video live streams have become a new norm in internet video consumption. Due to this format’s popularity, increasing numbers of platforms offer the capability for live streaming. The global live-streaming market grew from $1.24 billion in 2022 to $1.49 billion in 2023.

With this, there are now many more platforms on the market, including big names live Facebook Live Video and YouTube Live. They offer stellar services and give producers the ability to live stream instantly. This increases their audience reach and helps them grow. Furthermore, businesses have also been benefiting from live streams. It’s been found that 29% of businesses livestream every day and 53% livestream every week.

In this article, we’re going to compare Facebook Live and YouTube Live. We’re also going to discuss some of their alternatives, including Dacast. Furthermore, we’re going to tell you why it’s a great idea to use a professional video hosting service and the key features to look out for when choosing one.

You should know that Dacast is an established, professional-grade live-streaming platform. You can try Dacast’s feature-rich platform for free for a full 14 days by signing up today.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • YouTube Live Streaming

  • Zoom vs YouTube Live

  • Professional Live Streaming Platforms

  • Why Use a Professional Live Streaming Video Host?

  • A Comparison of Facebook and YouTube Live Alternatives – Updated for 2024

  • Conclusion

First, let’s talk about Facebook.

Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg along with fellow Harvard students Eduardo SaverinDustin MoskovitzAndrew McCollum, and Chris Hughes.

As of October 2023, there are roughly 2.95 billion monthly users on Facebook. It launched Facebook Live in 2016 to give users the ability to broadcast live video streams.

When it comes to Facebook live streaming, these videos and their search popularity increased by 330% in just one year.

Facebook Live Streaming

Anyone can go live on their Facebook account. As a free platform, it’s one of the go-to options when people begin streaming.

About Facebook Live Streaming

Facebook Live was released in April 2016 to give people the opportunity to broadcast live to their Facebook friends. While many people didn’t initially fully understand the need for this new feature, businesses that adopted it realized it was a cost-effective video marketing strategy and were able to create more excitement around their products and services.

Many people use Facebook regularly, so sharing and watching live video content is a natural extension of the service. Some Facebook live streams reach tens or even hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Facebook updated its ranking algorithm to show more live videos on people’s news feeds. But, if you missed a live video from a friend or someone’s page that you follow on Facebook, live videos remain on the account’s wall after the Facebook live-streaming event has finished.

Many people wonder, “Is Facebook Live free?” The good news is that it is free to use Facebook Live. You can go live from an individual page, from a group page, or within an event.

Upload Guidelines and Specs

Here are the Facebook Live video guideline details:

How Facebook Live Streaming Works

facebook live stream

You can either go live on Facebook from your mobile device or your computer! All you need is a device with a camera.

Using the Facebook Live streaming service is simple.

On mobile devices, starting a live stream involves using the Facebook app. All you have to do is:

1) Open your app

2) Navigate to the top, and click on the LIVE icon right below the status input area labeled “What’s on your mind?”

3) Click on the blue Start Live Video button

Tap that button, and you have the option to start a live stream. You can then describe your live video and choose a target audience if you wish. From there, a single tap lets you go live. That is all you need to tap start live video streaming on Facebook.

On a desktop, live streaming via Facebook Live is easy as well.

  • Create a post at the top of your news feed to go live.
  • Click the 3 dots and then click live video. 
  • Write a short description of the content of your live video. That way, people know what your video is about.
  • Finally, click go live and start recording and broadcasting your content.

Facebook suggests using Google Chrome as your browser to go live to avoid any technical issues. As you can see, it is easy to start Facebook live streaming on either a mobile device or a desktop.

If you want to get more technical, you can use a video encoder for Facebook live streaming. Set up your encoder software using the following settings:

  • Video bitrate: no higher than 2500 Kbps
  • Resolution: no higher than 1280 x 720
  • Frames per second: 30
  • Select the appropriate video and audio sources

After you set up your encoding software, visit your Facebook page.

  • Click on the tab labeled “Publishing Tools.”
  • On this page, click the option labeled “Video” and then click “Live.
  • From here, you can enter the “stream key” and/or “stream URL” that generates into your encoder.
  • Enter a description on the next page.
  • Finally, click “Go Live” to begin streaming.

That is how you use a video encoder for Facebook live streaming. It is a very simple process.

Facebook Live Pros and Cons

The main upside of streaming live on Facebook is the built-in audience. If you’ve invested time in building a social media following on Facebook or other social media platforms such as TikTokLinkedIn Live, or Twitch, it’s a no-brainer to use their platform to live stream.

Pro: Support High-Quality Cameras

Additionally, the service is sufficiently powerful. With the Facebook Live API, you can stream using high-quality compatible cameras for live streaming Facebook Live allows you to connect high-quality video cameras to their platform.

Pro: Free to Use

Facebook Live is also free, which is great for people looking to start streaming as a hobby or small businesses with limited content marketing budgets. They provide you with the tools you need to livestream without taking on any additional costs.

Pro: Video API

Finally, the video API allows you to integrate with existing workflow. This allows you to easily integrate your set-up into your workflow, making going live more easy and more natural.

However, when comparing YouTube Live vs. Facebook Live it’s important to consider any drawbacks. In our research and trials, we discovered some major downsides to Facebook Live.

Con: No Content Indexing

One of the main drawbacks is that users cannot index a Facebook post with Live video content. That means that search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo don’t ever “find” Facebook posts. This limitation includes live and archived videos.

You can search for the content within Facebook itself, but searching inside the platform isn’t very useful. It’s a confusing interface compared to YouTube, Google, and other search engines. Finding posts, especially if they are older, is nearly impossible.

The lack of indexing is a negative when comparing YouTube Live vs Facebook Live for video streaming, especially for businesses.

Con: No SEO Optimization

This is a major drawback when it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Facebook content simply won’t rank on a search engine. Unless you can spontaneously generate a large audience on your Facebook profile, your content is unlikely to find traction among viewers after the fact.

Con: Only 1080p Streaming

Previously, there was a drawback when it came to resolution. Facebook Live streaming used to only support a resolution of 720p HD, which is not full high-definition.

Thankfully, Facebook listened to its users and now has a max resolution of 1080p (1290×1080). They’ve also increased their max bit rate to 4000 Kbps, from 2500.

Still, you can’t offer your viewers 4K live streaming with Facebook Live. even streaming in HD is only available to members of Level Up and managed partners. If that is important to you, that can be a major drawback.

Additionally, Facebook Live doesn’t support the following useful live video features:

  • Monetization
  • Access and security restrictions
  • Subscriptions
  • DRM

You can access an audience directly on Facebook Live, but there are limitations to Facebook Live’s streaming capacity and features.

YouTube Live Streaming

Next, we’ll discuss YouTube in the YouTube Live vs Facebook Live debate. This video streaming platform was created in February 2005. The following year Google bought it for $1.65 billion.

YouTube allows users to upload, view, and share digital videos online. While Facebook works to keep people in touch through multiple uploads and content options, YouTube solely focuses on video.

YouTube Live

YouTube is probably the first platform people think of when it comes to video content. But, YouTube Live is simply one of the features of the platform.

About YouTube Live

YouTube Live is a live-streaming service that offers an easy way to reach your audience in real time. Whether you’re streaming a video game, hosting a live Q&A, or teaching a class, YouTube Live tools will help you manage your stream and interact with viewers in real time.

As a Facebook Live alternative, the most significant benefit of YouTube Live is that it offers more functionality. The added functionality puts YouTube ahead in the Facebook Live vs. YouTube Live debate. There’s also a creator studio app which allows you to enhance your videos and engage with your audience wherever you are.

How YouTube Live Streaming Works

YouTube Live mobile

While YouTube is free, there are several requirements for streaming on the platform.

To live stream on YouTube, you need a few things. While YouTube Live offers more than Facebook Live, it is harder to get started.

First, you need a YouTube/Google account. Second, you need to “verify” your account. Note that if you want to embed your stream on an external site, you need to link an approved AdSense account to your YouTube account. To live stream on YouTube on a mobile device, you must have at least 1,000 subscribers.

Stream Now

Once you have met these qualifications, there are two ways to get started. “Stream now” is a fast and easy way to begin streaming. This method allows you to use your webcam or another connected camera to start a livestream.

Events

Alternatively, “Eventsallows you to pre-schedule a live event, invite people in advance, invite guests, and set up backup streams. “Events” also enable you to use higher-quality cameras connected to encoders.

Upload Guidelines and Specs

Here are the YouTube Live video guideline details:

  • Minimum dimension: 240p (426 x 240)
  • Maximum dimension: 4K (3840 x 2160)
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9 (adds padding to videos with other aspect ratios)
  • Max file size: 128 GB
  • Max video length: 12 hours
  • Total file storage: No storage limit
  • Compatible video formats: MP4, MOV, MPEG4, FLV, AVI, Web M, WMV, MPEG-PS, 3GPP

YouTube’s live stream capacity is generous, but you have to meet specific requirements before you can start live streaming.

YouTube Live Pros and Cons

When comparing YouTube Live vs. Facebook Live, YouTube wins out in searchability and live video SEO.

Pro: Live Video SEO

YouTube videos show up in search results. That isn’t the case with videos from Facebook Lives. Since YouTube is a Google-owned business, videos tend to rank relatively high. Even Bing, Yahoo, and other engines rank YouTube Live videos highly in search results.

Pro: Great Search Functionality

Finding videos on YouTube is also easier than on Facebook. The search functionality is much more powerful. In general, YouTube strives to make videos available forever. Facebook content is technically available forever, but it’s strongly biased toward finding of-the-moment material. Hence, the timeline design of the Facebook stories.

Many videos, including live stream recordings, gain significant views after the fact. A live stream can continue to bring in viewers months or even years after it was initially broadcast.

Pro: YouTube Live API

The service also has a YouTube Live API that allows for programmatic access to their live streaming service. This makes it easy to stream live on YouTube while streaming on other services. Users can also integrate apps with YouTube live streams. This allows one to live stream to YouTube and Facebook simultaneously.

Con: Lack of Control of Content

However, there are a few major drawbacks to YouTube Live. First, you give up control of your own content. That means that YouTube has the ability to promote your content within its platform or stifle it. They can use your content for advertising purposes. They can restrict your content and take it down. It is their platform, so you have to play by their rules.

Cons: Advertising 

Anytime you broadcast or upload content via YouTube, YouTube gains access to use your material in its own advertising. You don’t control who advertises on your content and have very limited control over when advertisements are shown. This takes away from your ability to create a custom experience for your viewers.

Cons: Blocked Website

Additionally, YouTube is one of the most blocked websites in the world, especially in businesses and schools. Notably, it is fully blocked in China. Attempting to load the Youtube app or website while in mainland China will return an error. Your content isn’t worth anything if your target audience is unable to access it.

This is a big drawback for many users. For example, with a free B2B platform like YouTube Live, you can’t stream live video on your website while maintaining control of your video content and your brand like you can with professional-grade B2B platforms (e.g., Dacast, IBM Cloud Video, etc.). It is also not the best platform to be able to monetize your content, as who is allowed to participate in revenue sharing is mostly dependent on YouTube itself.

Both YouTube and Facebook Lives have their limitations, which is why it may be advisable to consider other platforms when looking for the best live streaming platform for business.

Zoom vs YouTube Live

Before we dive into the different types of video platforms for businesses, we must mention Zoom. Zoom has grown in popularity this year due to the need for video calling while working remotely.

Many businesses and business professionals see Zoom as a way to share videos with an audience. Many yoga and fitness studios have created virtual classes through Zoom live streaming during the COVID-19 virus.

While this is a fantastic way to keep in touch, Zoom is primarily a video conferencing cloud platform for meetings, webinars, and conferences. Those businesses looking to scale an online video content strategy will need other Zoom alternatives than Facebook Live, Youtube Live, or Zoom. They will need a streaming solution that provides them with control over their content.

Professional Live Streaming Platforms

Professional Live Streaming Platforms

A free social media platform isn’t the only way to stream video online. Many professional, business streaming solutions provide you with more control over your content.

YouTube Live and Facebook Live are undoubtedly popular social media platforms. However, they’re far from the only solutions in the live-streaming market. While they are some of the first options people consider because they’re well-known and free, it’s worth spending some time choosing the best live-streaming platform for your business.

Other live-streaming service providers will often give more features and functionality. For many reasons, professional users often prefer other video streaming solutions.

Why Use a Professional Live Streaming Video Host?

For people who are looking for a more professional appearance, social streaming platforms aren’t the best fit. It isn’t about Facebook Live vs. YouTube Live, it is about finding the right professional video streaming hosting solution.

For example, a company that live streams an event may want to monetize its stream. A university may want to stream multiple lectures simultaneously. Businesses, universities, social organizations, and media channels often fall into these situations.

Likewise, video streaming services for churches and houses of worship will need to look beyond social streaming platforms. As mentioned above, a professional streaming video host is ideal if you want to stream live video on your website. And this is where features offered specifically by professional video platforms come into play.

These features include the ability to:

  • Monetize broadcasts with an integrated paywall
  • Restrict access to certain geographic locations or IP ranges
  • White-label & Branding Control
  • Stream multiple events concurrently
  • Maintain all rights to broadcast content
  • Access dedicated tech support
  • Ad-free broadcasting

These features, among others, define a comprehensive live streaming platform. To guarantee these features, most dedicated streaming providers charge for their services.

Typically there’s a wide range of pricing plans. Some services are aimed at large businesses, while others are more affordable for smaller businesses or individuals.

Though Facebook and YouTube are free, they simply can’t compete when it comes to functionality and the video needs of corporate enterprises.

A Comparison of Facebook and YouTube Live Alternatives – Updated for 2023

Let’s take a look at the 12 best on the market, as well as compare Facebook Live and Youtube Live to top streaming alternatives.

1. Dacast

Dacast Video Hosting and Streaming Platform

Dacast is a Streaming-as-a-solution platform. It leads the way in online video and hosting solutions.

Overview and Company History:

One of the most popular live video hosting services is Dacast — our live streaming platform. Based in San Francisco with offices in London, Dacast is a unified streaming solution that offers a wide variety of professional features. We offer both live-streaming video and on-demand hosting.

Last year, Dacast earned the Streaming Media Readers’ Choice Award for Best Small/Medium Business Video Platform and Runner-Up for Best Education Video Platform. In 2019, Dacast acquired the Vzaar platform, expanding its comprehensive OTT platform provider.

Basic Functionality: 

Dacast provides comprehensive live streaming and professional online video hosting services. Broadcasters can embed videos onto their websites while maintaining 100% control of their content. This is something that isn’t possible with a lot of the other platforms we’ve discussed including Facebook Live streaming.

Among other features, Dacast offers an integrated paywall, password protection, referrer restriction, and an analytics dashboard.

Key Features:

The best features of Dacast include easy-to-use live streaming and on-demand content platform with the following features:

Detailed Features:

Pros:

Cons:

  • Requires a bit of a 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:

Pricing plans with Dacast include four packages:

  • Starter plan: ideal for newcomers with 2.4 TB of bandwidth and 500 GB of storage per month, at just $39 per month billed annually.
  • Event plan: for organizations who’d rather not sign a contract, and want to purchase bandwidth separately to live stream an event. It offers 6 TB of bandwidth upfront, 250 GB of storage, and costs just $63 per month billed annually. Additional data and storage can be added as needed.
  • Scale plan: includes 24 TB of bandwidth per year, with 2000 GB of storage for $165 per month billed annually. These Scale pricing plans add phone support, unlimited channels, a monetization paywall, ad insertion, white-label Cnames, and video API access.
  • Custom plan: if your enterprise business has high-volume streaming needs, you can contact Dacast for a custom plan tailored to your needs.

Broadcasters can contact Dacast directly to learn more about custom-priced high-volume plans. Dacast offers control over your content that you can’t get with live streaming on YouTube and Facebook.

2. Twitch

Twitch streaming video platform

Twitch is a popular video platform for streaming content geared towards video games and special interests.

Overview and Company History:

Twitch.tv is a very popular application in the world of video gaming. Streamers set up channels where viewers and supporters can follow them. It has 33.2 million active users in the US alone and gets over 1.86 billion hours of watch time via its users every month.

This site is niche, but it is a great streaming platform if you are trying to reach an audience in the gaming, fantasy, music, or tech industry.

Basic Functionality: 

Twitch.tv is a consumer-grade platform for independent streamers, and it is especially popular among eSports (video game) streamers.

Key Features:

  • Tools for tipping creators and streamers
  • Primarily used to stream video games
  • Live chat for viewer engagement

Detailed Features:

Twitch is a social network that is primarily meant for Esport live streaming. Some of its most notable features include:

  • Live Streaming Tips: Streamers can make money off their streams by receiving tips from their audience. Viewers can follow the channel, subscribe to it, and donate virtual currency that can be exchanged for real money. Streamers who meet certain conditions can also apply for the Twitch Partnership and Affiliate program to receive rewards such as actual money.
  • Viewership Engagements: Streamers can also interact with their viewers through a live chat functionality during the stream. This allows streamers to increase the level of engagement from viewers.
  • Twitch Extensions and Plugins: Twitch offers many plugin and extension options to enable streamers to customize their Twitch experience. Examples include Spotify playlists, Prime Gaming, creating stream overlays, localization and translation tools, and game-specific plugins, among others.
  • Categories: Streamers can classify their content by categories. It makes it easier for viewers to browse through channels and easily find what they’re looking for.
  • Alerts and Saved Channels: Twitch allows viewers to follow channels to receive alerts when the streamer goes live. The channels a viewer follows will be saved to their libraries.

Pros:

Twitch is very targeted for the video game market. They offer mobile broadcasting, allowing you to go live directly from your mobile device.

Viewers can watch content on a browser, from gaming devices, and on the Twitch app, which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

Cons:

One of the biggest drawbacks of Twitch is that it is a consumer-driven platform and is made for connecting with a consumer audience. It isn’t designed for internal or training purposes. Also, they don’t support advanced video streaming tools within the platform.

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

  • Minimum dimension: 720p (1280 x 720)
  • Maximum dimension: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
  • Video aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
  • Max file size: Not available
  • Max video length: 48 hours
  • Total file storage: Not available

Pricing:

Twitch does not charge content providers to use their platform, but they allow them to make money off of their users. This program is called Twitch Subscriptions, and it includes 3 tiers:

  • Tier 1 subscription – $4.99/month
  • Tier 2 subscription – $9.99/month
  • Tier 3 subscription – $24.99/month

Twitch is great for individuals looking to make money live streaming video games and tech content. It serves a very specific niche, unlike live streaming to Facebook and YouTube, which tend to serve larger audiences in a wide range of niches.

3. LinkedIn Live

Linkedin Live Streaming

LinkedIn Live Video is permission-based, and only approved members and Pages can broadcast live video content to a LinkedIn profile, LinkedIn Page, or Event.

Overview and Company History:

LinkedIn is a well-known social media platform that was designed for networking among professionals. The platform recently rolled out LinkedIn Live, which is an exclusive offering that is designed to help brands connect with professionals through live-streamed content.

Basic Functionality:

To stream on LinkedIn Live, broadcasters need the support of a self-hosted streaming setup or a third-party streaming platform (like Dacast and the other OVPs we’ve discussed).

Key Features:

  • Social media streaming app
  • Highly exclusive features
  • Only accessible on an application basis
  • Integrates with LinkedIn Events

Detailed Features:

  • Livestream Scheduling: You can schedule your live stream in advance and promote it on LinkedIn and other platforms.
  • Test Your Stream: You can also create a test stream to ensure everything is alright before you go live on LinkedIn Live.
  • Auto Captions: LinkedIn Live offers automatically generated real-time captions you can enable to make your video more accessible to a broader audience. Auto captions for a live stream will continue and will also be available in post-live playbacks. You should enable auto-captions before starting your live stream.
  • Stream into an Event on LinkedIn: Approved members and organizations can livestream to profile connections and LinkedIn page followers in addition to LinkedIn Events attendees. Attendees can connect and engage in conversations before, during, and after the livestream in a dedicated space. But you can only stream to one destination. You can stream to a page/ profile and an event simultaneously.

You can also mute specific viewers from commenting and reacting to pre-recorded videos on your stream.

LinkedIn Live is designed to boost engagement, offer quality control and exclusivity, and integrate with LinkedIn Events for virtual event hosting.

Pros:

LinkedIn Live is free to use and specifically designed to reach and connect with other professionals. It is a great way to build brand awareness and can be a great platform for live streaming and connecting with other businesses.

The application is designed to encourage engagement between you and your viewers.

Cons:

LinkedIn Live isn’t open to all users; the access is limited to those on an application basis. You need to use outside and additional streaming technology to go live; the platform doesn’t offer all the features you need within it.

The platform is also highly regulated, so you are not free to broadcast anything you want.

Upload Guidelines and Specs

Video guidelines and specs on LinkedIn Live depend on the third-party software that you choose.

Pricing:

LinkedIn Live is free to use as long as LinkedIn accepts your application.

LinkedIn Live allows businesses to connect specifically with business professionals. Facebook and Youtube live streaming has more of a general audience. You still need to work with a self-hosted streaming setup or a third-party streaming platform to use LinkedIn Live, as it isn’t a fully independent option.

4. TikTok

Tiktok Live Streaming Platform

TikTok is primarily used by the Gen Z demographic. But other demographics are increasingly embracing the platform and businesses are starting to use it as a video marketing platform. TikTok has grown to encompass every kind of content and community. Source: tiktok.com

Overview and Company History:

Originally launched as a China-only platform in 2016, TikTok merged with Music.ly in 2018 and found great success around the world. The app became particularly popular at the beginning of 2020 when users in their teens and early 20s created a variety of dances and other trendy videos that are meant for other users to replicate.

This app is still growing in popularity, so creators have remarked that the algorithm is still much more user-friendly than other social platforms. This means that there is room for new users to grow.

Basic Functionality:

TikTok is primarily a social media platform that just happens to be based on video sharing, but when used strategically, businesses can use it to lead viewers to their websites for their intended conversion.

Key Features:

Detailed Features:

TikTok Live offers the following features:

  • LIVE Events: This feature allows creators to schedule, manage, and promote upcoming livestreams.
  • LIVE Q&A: TikTok also allows for a Q&A session during the live stream. It boosts engagement between the streamer and their audience. You can select, showcase, and only respond to questions you approve of.
  • Go LIVE Together: Additionally, you can partner with other creators and go live together. This is aimed at making it easier for creators to expand their reach and grow their communities.
  • LIVE Topics: Topics enable you to determine the type of content you’ll be covering in your TikTok live. There are different categories such as DIY, gaming, food, and music, among others. It makes it easier for viewers to discover and join your livestream based on their interests.

There’s also a LIVE Countdown Sticker so your audience can receive reminders ahead of the event so they don’t miss a live stream. TikTok recommends doing your live stream at the same time weekly or daily, so your viewers know when to tune in.

Pros:

TikTok is free to use, and it has a user-friendly algorithm. If you create engaging content, it is easy to go viral. The app is also designed to match viewers with content that matches their interests based on the other content they watch in the app.

Cons:

There are no monetization options within TikTok; when people talk about making money on TikTok, it is through outside brand deals, where brands pay them to share information on their channel.

You can also make money by directing viewers from TikTok to an outside platform. Plus, you can’t remove TikToks branding and add your own.

With live videos, there are no limits on the video length.

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

  • Minimum dimension: 1080 x 1920
  • Maximum dimension: 1080 x 1920
  • Video aspect ratio: 9:16
  • Max file size: 287.6 MB  on iOS and 72 MB on Android
  • Max video length: 60 seconds
  • Total file storage: No storage limit
  • Compatible video formats: MP4, MOV

Pricing:

TikTok is free to use.

TikTok is all about short video content, setting it apart from Facebook and YouTube live streaming. It isn’t designed for longer live video content.

5. StreamYard

streamyard streaming platform

StreamYard is a YouTube alternative with support for in-browser streaming.

Overview and Company History:

StreamYard, founded by Hopin, is an in-browser live streaming platform. This platform is relatively basic, but it will get the job done for broadcasters with minimal live streaming needs.

Since this platform is pretty basic, it is relatively easy to start streaming on StreamYard.

Basic Functionality:

StreamYard is a simple in-browser live streaming platform designed for improving audience engagement. StreamYard does not support on-demand streaming.

Key Features:

StreamYard uses in-browser streaming technology. This provides a wide range of functionality without any downloads necessary. The brand customization features on StreamYard are some of the most valuable.

Some of its key features include:

  • Custom branding
  • Graphic overlays
  • Simulcast to social media platforms
  • Multiple on-screen presenters
  • Screen sharing

Detailed Features:

  • Highlight Clips: This feature allows streamers to highlight clips of their live streams. These can then be shared on the platform or exported to another video hosting solution.
  • Live Chat: The audience can interact with the streamer and each other on the platform during a live stream.
  • Multi-Platform Streaming: You can stream your live video on social media sites and other multiple platforms concurrently. StreamYard also allows you to embed your live stream onto a webpage.
  • Analytics: Streamers can collect analytics on the audience count, demographics, and engagement.

Pros:

StreamYard is a simple-to-use platform and makes it easy for you to start live streaming. They allow for using multiple cameras, on-screen presenters and graphic overlays, making content really engaging. It is a great platform for engaging in collaborative streams with multiple people in different locations.

Cons:

The drawback of StreamYard is that it is a very basic platform. It doesn’t support video-on-demand. It offers no monetization options and has limited browser compatibility.

StreamYard Upload Guidelines and Specs:

  • You can upload videos up to 10GB in size on Basic/pro, and up to 25GB in size on StreamYard Business
  • Prerecorded broadcasts stream at up to 720p on Basic and up to 1080p on Professional.
  • StreamYard Business offers unlimited pre-recorded stream scheduling, but users on Basic or Pro can only schedule up to five streams
  • On the basic plan, you can only stream for up to an hour but two and eight hours on the Pro plan, and StreamYard Business, respectively.

Pricing:

StreamYard offers four pricing plans. These include:

  • Free: Access StreamYard on a limited basis for free.
  • Basic: $20/month; access some advanced streaming features, including unlimited streaming, brand customization, graphic overlays, simulcasting, and stream recording.
  • Professional: $39/month;
  • Enterprise: StreamYard also offers enterprise plans that are priced on a case-by-case basis.

The rates we’ve mentioned above reflect the monthly pricing when billed annually.

StreamYard is a simple platform that allows you to stream in a browser without any advanced tools; however, it lacks advanced functionality as well.

6. Vimeo Livestream

online video platform

Vimeo is an option for businesses of any size looking for streaming services.

Overview and company history:

Another alternative provider is Vimeo (Livestream). Formerly known only as Livestream, Vimeo acquired the company in 2017. Since then, Vimeo has merged its services and website with Livestream. Today, this business has a unique focus on full end-to-end integration. Vimeo (Livestream) sells several hardware tools such as encoders and cameras that can function with this streaming service natively.

Basic Functionality: 

Both live streaming and video hosting services are available through Vimeo. The basic functionality includes tracking, analytics, and production support. However, white-label streaming, live transcoding, and password protection are only available on premium plans.

Key Features:

API functionality on Vimeo (Livestream) exists in three categories: API tools, Player API, and Channel API. These allow you to customize, control, and modify your content. They also facilitate custom programming and integration.

Other key features include:

  • Full-HD quality
  • All-device video player with adaptive bitrate streaming
  • Video management service
  • High-quality videos and streams
  • Large storage capacity
  • Privacy options
  • Upload from anywhere
  • White-label service
  • Live audience chat
  • Monetization options

Detailed Features:

  • Large Storage Capacity: Vimeo offers several storage options so you never run out of space. You can also make uncompressed versions of your videos available to users.
  • Privacy Options: You can configure your live streams to choose who can see and who can’t see your videos. Creators can send private review links to clients for individual feedback and comments.
  • Video Management Service: You can easily organize, share, and make bulk changes to everything from embed settings to licensing.
  • High-Quality Videos and Streams: Vimeo allows up to 4K Ultra HD streaming, immersive 360 videos and 8k uploads.
  • Upload from Anywhere: You can upload to Vimeo from your computer, mobile device, or favorite cloud storage platform.

Pros:

Vimeo Livestream doesn’t play any external advertisements on your content. It also allows you to stream as many events with as many viewers as you want.

It is easy to use and has a very professional and sleek layout. It offers detailed analytics, allowing you to learn from your live events to stream better events. It offers a pay-per-view option, allowing you to make money from your live events.

Cons:

Vimeo Livestream as a platform doesn’t offer as much traffic as other sites, and it doesn’t offer any China delivery.

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 four main pricing plans, including:

  • Starter: $9 per subscriber per month, capped at 60 videos per year.
  • Standard: $25 per subscriber per month, capped at 120 videos per year.
  • Advanced: $65 per subscriber per month, capped at 240 videos per year.
  • Vimeo Enterprise: Please contact Vimeo for custom pricing information.

The Vimeo Enterprise plan includes white-label service, monetization, and video APIs. It also includes branding control and added security features.

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

Unlike Facebook and YouTube live streaming, Vimeo is more focused on business customers and offers more robust professional features.

7. Brightcove

brightcove cloud video platform

Brightcove uses an HTML5 video player to better live streaming and video hosting.

Overview and Company History:

Another popular platform is Brightcove. This provider primarily serves mid to large-sized businesses with an array of services. This social media live streaming alternative was founded in 2004 and is one of the oldest video solutions in the game. Last year, Brightcove acquired streaming platform Ooyala, known for its cloud video technology. Since the acquisition, Brightcove has announced end-of-life plans for the Ooyala OVP.

Basic functionality:

The basic functionality of this YouTube Live alternative includes video monetization and transcoding.  Brightcove offers support for OTT (Over the Top) content and TVE (TV Everywhere) technology.

Key Features:

Other great Brightcove features include the ability to bypass ad blockers and capture leads via popup forms inside the video window. Additionally, Brightcove offers powerful video marketing integrations with widely used platforms like Salesforce.

Other key features include:

  • Live streaming and video-on-demand hosting
  • Video and Usage Analytics
  • Server-side ad insertion
  • Cloud transcoding and adaptive bitrate streaming

Detailed Features:

Brightcove API

There are several APIs for the Brightcove platform. These include the Media API, which allows you to interact with your library. Additional APIs support the other Brightcove product categories. Comprehensive documentation is available on all of these.

Other features include:

  • Multi-bitrate and adaptive streaming
  • Global content delivery
  • Tech support, but only at a basic level with slow ticket-based responses (unless you upgrade to a paid support plan)
  • Security features, but with high-end features only available on custom plans
  • Monetization options, but only on custom-priced plans

Pros:

Brightcove offers enterprise-grade features and can support large corporate live events. It includes custom video portals, allowing you to create unique live events. Plus, you can integrate Brightcove with your content management system (CRM).

Cons:

The biggest drawback to Brightcove is that it has a high price point, with no live streaming packages under $499/month. It is targeted at larger businesses with big budgets. Plus, it doesn’t offer China delivery, so if you want to connect with a Chinese audience, this isn’t a good option.

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 offers three pricing plan levels that target higher-end clients. Brightcove’s pricing is no longer posted, but plans include basic video marketing tools and analytics with SD streaming quality for unlimited viewers.

However, larger users will prefer the Enterprise communications plan, which is custom-priced. Those plans add advanced security tools, HD-quality streaming, and phone support (30-minute response time).

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 overage plays, with +10 users
  • Enterprise: unlimited videos, 100,000+ plays, and no overage plays, with 10+ users, unlimited upload, and analytics-only users

Brightcove, unlike live streaming on Facebook, is built for business marketing and monetization needs.

8. Wowza

Wowza video hosting platform

Wowza focuses on live streaming for business-critical applications

Overview and Company History:

Wowza was founded in 2005 as a bootstrap start-up with capabilities for live streaming on phones, tablets, and consoles. Wowza is a feature-rich company that offers two main products and has always focused on being first in class for cost-effectiveness.

Basic Functionality: 

The first is a Wowza Streaming Cloud, a cloud-based live streaming service. Features include support for 4K streaming, white-label service, and security controls.

The second Wowza offering is the Wowza Streaming Engine software. This package allows you to set up your own streaming platform on your servers using the same software on the cloud platform.

Key Features:

Wowza has several APIs in Java and REST to build infrastructure around its streaming platform. These include a server-side API for the Wowza Streaming Engine. This API integrates with databases, storage, web servers, and external processing.

Other key features include:

  • Live streaming and on-demand video hosting
  • Host-you-own streaming server product
  • White-label streaming
  • Mobile-compatible video player
  • Customer support (*note that phone support and fast responses cost extra)
  • RESTful API available

Detailed Features:

  • APIs are available
  • Live stream recording
  • Cloud management portal
  • Streaming up to 4K
  • Wide range of security options

Pros:

Wowza offers audience engagement tools so that you can interact with your live audience. They offer basic performance monitoring, allowing you to see what is happening with your content. Plus, they have robust security, keeping your content your own.

Plus, they offer video looping, allowing you to play content repeatedly. Additionally, they offer mobile screen support.

Cons:

Wowza offers no multistreaming options, so you can’t stream to other locations, such as social media sites, when you livestream. Also, they don’t offer session recording, so if you want to save your live-streaming content and use it later, you will have to use an outside tool.

Wowza also doesn’t offer video monetization tools, so if you want to make money from your live content, you will have to use outside tools. It also doesn’t support multiple camera feeds, so you are limited to a single camera.

Plus, they don’t have advanced audience analytics, nor do they offer advanced event scheduling, which can limit your ability to promote your live stream.

Pricing:

For their most used Wowza Video Cloud Streaming, pricing plans range from $25/month on their pay-as-you-go to $145 for a month of streaming and beyond into customizable pricing via their enterprise solution for which you need to contact them directly.

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 2 main tiers: Streaming Cloud and Streaming Engine.

Wowza Streaming Cloud offers 3 distinct pricing plans and services. Within Wowza Streaming Engine pricing, monthly plans include:

  • Basic Monthly: $195/month and includes fully customizable streaming server software, up to 10 concurrent, transcoded channels, additional licenses $195
  • One Month of Streaming: $295/month and includes fully customizable streaming server software, up to 10 concurrent, transcoded channels, additional licenses $295
  • Enterprise: Plans built for your needs, best for large-scale, self-hosted streaming with unique requirements.

All of these Live Event plans include full brand control, multi-bitrate streaming, and HD and UHD streaming.

Wowza is a platform built for professional businesses, unlike YouTube Live and Facebook Live streaming, which is made for everyone. It offers 4K streaming and live stream recording but still has some limitations, with no video monetization, multi-camera feeds, or audience analytics.

9. Kaltura

Kaltura Streaming Video Solution

Kaltura provides a wide range of live streaming video solutions.

Overview and Company History:

The Kaltura online video platform targets large institutions. In particular, Kaltura focuses on four markets: video services for educational institutions, enterprises, media companies, and OTT video services. Historically, this company has worked most extensively with educational institutions.

Basic Functionality:

This video streaming solution is an alternative to the self-hosted model. The software for Kaltura is free, however, it requires an infrastructure of servers for hosting and distributing content. Kaltura provides cloud-based video hosting and distribution for both VOD and live streams.

Key Features:

The Kaltura Management Console (KMC) offers tools to create, upload, edit, manage, publish, and deliver live and on-demand video to viewers. Key features of the KMC include:

  • Live streaming and VOD hosting
  • Secure content delivery via Akamai, Limelight, and eCDNs
  • Live transcoding, live production software, and video marketing tools
  • Video APIs, SDKs, developer tools, and code recipes
  • A highly customizable, and therefore highly complex streaming platform

Detailed Features:

  • Multi-bitrate and adaptive streaming
  • Video API access
  • Global content delivery via a combined CDN approach
  • Ability to bring your own CDN
  • Security features include a range of authentication and encryption options
  • Monetization includes all major models – subscription, advertising, PPV streaming

Pros:

  • Many available features
  • Customizable streaming experience
  • Great monetization options
  • Robust security

Cons:

  • Ticket-based system for support
  • Highly complex
  • Not suited for new broadcasters
  • No China video delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

  • Minimum dimension: 180p (320 x 180)
  • Maximum dimension: 1080p (1920x 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 doesn’t publish pricing information on its website, but it is on the higher end in terms of cost. This live streaming solution offers custom-priced and pay-as-you-go plans to broadcasters. Interested broadcasters must contact their sales department directly to design a custom package.

Given the degree of customization of plans with Kaltura, this option is best suited for large-scale enterprises with larger budgets.

Unlike Facebook Live vs YouTube Live, which is all about social media video content, Kaltura is focused on offering professional live video hosting for educational institutions.

10. JW Player

JWplayer video platform solution

JW Player began as a small piece of open-source code to play audio and video files. It’s grown since then into a live streaming player.

Overview and Company History:

The JW Player project (as the name suggests) began as a video player. This streaming platform was founded in 2005 as part of a student project. Today, this service offers video hosting services and live streaming.

Basic Functionality:

This solution is known for its HTML5 video player for VOD content. In addition to that, JW Player is now a full-service live streaming provider.

Key Features:

  • Live streaming and video-on-demand (VOD) hosting
  • Video recommendations engine to generate custom “watch next” recommendations
  • Tools for monetization via advertising, and detailed revenue tracking
  • Analytics tools

Detailed Features:

  • Multi-bitrate and adaptive streaming
  • Global content delivery
  • Email support through the $100/month plan level
  • Video API access on all plans
  • Security features are basic but functional.
  • Only custom-priced Enterprise plans offer DRM
  • Monetization via advertising

Pros:

  • Great video player
  • Simple, easy-to-use platform
  • Good advertising tools

Cons:

  • Live streaming is limited to custom-priced plans with a 6-hour duration
  • Only ad-based monetization
  • No China video 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:

JWPlayer pricing plans include the following tiers:

  • Free trial: JW Player offers a 30-day free trial subscription which includes full API and SDK access, a non-commercial license, 25 GB hosting bandwidth, and 75 GB streaming.
  • Custom plan: Other than the free trial, JW Player requires you to contact sales to discuss your needs with custom pricing.

Unlike live streaming to Facebook and YouTube, JW Player provides you with full control over your content and supports global content delivery.

11. Muvi

muvi live streaming solution

Muvi is a live-streaming platform focused on OTT media.

Overview and Company History:

Moving along in our live video streaming platforms review, let’s consider Muvi. This corporate video streaming software solution centers on OTT media businesses. Overall, Muvi aims to provide a “turnkey” service to broadcasters. In short, Muvi focuses on OTT services that are quick to get up and running. They say their model empowers users to launch their own video or audio strategy quickly and easily.

Basic Functionality:

Muvi’s OTT multi-screen video streaming solution helps businesses launch white-label multi-device streams. They also provide VOD and audio streaming. It’s fully managed and all controlled from a single CMS.

Key Features:

  • HTML5 all-device video player
  • White label custom branding
  • Various monetization options
  • Support for video and audio streaming
  • Dashboard management CMS for naming and organizing content
  • 24/7 support

Detailed Features:

Pros:

  • CDN delivery
  • Hosting
  • No coding required
  • Video CMS
  • Transcoding
  • DRM
  • Website and Apps for Mobile and TV.

Cons:

  • Not extremely user-friendly
  • Hard to integrate or connect
  • CMS user interface is complex
  • No China video delivery

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 five levels:

  • Standard plan: $399/month (+ $299/month per app + infra fees, allows 2000 concurrent viewers, 1TB each of bandwidth and storage, and API support.
  • 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:For pricing, speak to sales. Includes Enterprise plan plus unlimited concurrent users, monthly security and performance reports, proactive monitoring and setup

Muvi offers a professional custom video hosting option for businesses that want to control their video player and monetization.

12. StreamShark

Streamshark Live Streaming Platform

StreamShark features a live streaming workflow and uses a global CDN delivery network.

Overview and Company History:

StreamShark is one of the best live streaming platforms for businesses. It was founded in 2011 and provides multi-faceted online video functionality.

Basic Functionality:

As a corporate streaming solution, StreamShark offers both a consumer-grade (B2C) platform and a distinct enterprise platform for streaming.

Key Features: 

  • Manage different phases of an event’s stream
  • Multi-vendor approach
  • HLS ingests
  • Provides global video CDN services

Detailed Features:

Pros:

  • Localized media ingestion
  • monetization options
  • Video Encoding
  • Redistribution
  • Increased storage space

Cons:

  • No support
  • No embeddable playlists
  • Fair to no video analytics
  • No China video delivery

Upload Guidelines and Specs:

  • Minimum dimension: 240p (426 x 240)
  • Maximum dimension: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9, 4:3
  • Max file size: not available
  • Max video length: not available
  • Total file storage: 500GB, 1TB, 3TB
  • Compatible video formats: HLS, WebM VP9, WebM VP8, WebM VP9 DASH, MP4

StreamShark is a professional live streaming platform that has all the functionality a business needs, without too many fancy or advanced features.

Pricing:

Monthly live streaming plans with StreamShark begin at $199 per month and include the following:

  • Monthly plans: Starting from $199 and includes live streaming, video on demand, advanced video analytics, viewer management, brandable channels and more.
  • Enterprise Solutions: Contact sales for pricing. Includes 4k streams, white-glove stream monitoring, enterprise viewer home page, single sign-on SSO support and more.

Conclusion

As we’ve summarized, both Facebook Live and YouTube Live have their pros and cons. We’ve also distilled some of the best alternatives to these two platforms, shedding light on what more is on offer.

Focusing on B2B private streaming platforms, there are some powerful alternatives. With these, businesses and organizations can live broadcast compelling videos. With features such as white labelling, which enables ad-free streaming or monetizing a live video post fit also for a high-quality mobile live stream, these options are well worth a closer look.

If what you need is a professional-grade, feature-rich and flexible live streaming platform, look no further than Dacast. Dacast continues to lead in live streaming and video content. With Dacast, you can live stream, create a video library, enable white labelling and add a monetization paywall for higher quality service and more engagement.

The good news is you can try Dacast completely free with our 14-day free trial.

Try today for free

If you found this article helpful, check out our library of useful blog posts for more comparisons. And for the best broadcasting tips and exclusive offers, join our dedicated  LinkedIn group.

Max Wilbert

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