13 Video Hosting Platform Options Compared: Our Expert Picks

Video content has taken over the internet and accounts for billions of viewing hours each day.

Check out these stats:

• 18-34 year-olds spend 100 minutes a day watching videos.
• The number of video viewers worldwide is expected to exceed 3.5 billion in 2024.
• Video is the chief source of information for 66% of people.

Source

If you want a piece of that action, finding the right platform to host videos can be challenging.

While YouTube is a popular choice, it has several drawbacks, such as limited branding control, channel instability, and lots of distractions.

Are there alternative options outside of YouTube?

Can they help you maintain control and deliver a professional experience?

We’re going to introduce you to some dedicated video hosting platforms that offer more customization, better analytics, and enhanced security.

We’ll cover:

• Notable features of a video hosting platform.
• What to look for in a video host.
• Top 13 hosting platforms and their diverse features.

Let’s start by comparing 3 top YouTube alternatives.

Top 3 Video Hosting Platforms Compared

With so many video hosting options available, it can be challenging to choose one that meets your specific needs.

We’ve simplified the search using a simple comparison table. It highlights the key features of the top three video hosting platforms: BunnyStream, Vimeo, and Wistia.

Feature	BunnyStream	Vimeo	Wistia
Pricing tiers	No free tier. Pricing starts at $4.50/month.	Free tier. Premium plans start at $12 per month.	Free tier. Premium plans start at $19/month.
Storage limits	Pay as you go, $0.01/GB (CDN starts from $0.005/GB).	The free option provides 1GB storage. Premium storage starts at 100GB.	The free plan includes 10 free videos and 200GB monthly bandwidth.
Video quality options (bit rate)	Up to 4K	Up to 8K	Up to 4K
Customization options	Full player customization, watermark and secure storage.	Customizable player, privacy controls, and embedding options.	Advanced player customization, branding and calls to action.
Analytics capabilities	Basic analytics, real-time metrics.	Advanced analytics, engagement graphs, viewer insights.	In-depth analytics, heatmaps, engagement tracking.
Customer support	24/7 support, knowledge base.	Email support, live chat for higher plans.	Priority support for Pro users, comprehensive resources.
Extras	– Marketing tool integration – API access – Pay-per-view subscriptions – Video editing tools – Team collaboration tools	– CRM integration – Video SEO – Advanced privacy settings – Lead generation tools – Collaboration tools	– Digital Rights Management (DRM) – Embeddable playlists – Multiple bitrate streaming

In summary:

BunnyStream offers a cost-effective solution with strong security features. It’s ideal for course creators and businesses who value privacy.

Vimeo provides robust features that cater to users with high-quality video needs.

Wistia excels at marketing and analytics, making it a solid choice for businesses looking to grow their audience through detailed insights.

Next, let’s explore the essential criteria and features of a good video hosting platform.

What We Look for in a Video Hosting Platform

Here are some key features we look for when evaluating video hosting:

• Storage: Choose a platform with ample storage to accommodate your growing library. This should include sufficient bandwidth to ensure smooth playback.
• Bandwidth: Determine your desired video quality (e.g., 720p, 1080p, 4K) and choose a platform that supports it.
• User experience: You need a user-friendly interface that simplifies video management. Also, consider a platform with responsive customer support through multiple channels.
• Security and privacy: The platform should offer robust security measures, such as password protection, domain restrictions, and encryption.
• Customization and branding: You should be able to customize the player’s appearance, including colors, controls, and branding elements, to match your website or brand identity.
• Integration and compatibility: Check if your preferred platform integrates with other tools such as content management systems, marketing automation software, or learning management systems.
• Report and analytics: The platform should offer analytics and reporting features like viewer engagement and video performance.
• Viewership: The platform’s video player should be compatible with popular devices and all browsers.

Your individual needs may differ, but if your player of choice satisfies these, you’re off to a good start.

In the next section, we’ll examine how these features affect the selection of the right video hosting platform.

13 Best Video Hosting Platforms Reviewed

Let’s now discuss the 13 best video hosting platforms. We include both free and premium options to give you the widest choice.

BunnyStream

BunnyStream is a cost-effective video hosting platform known for its high performance and flexibility.

It has solutions for hosting and streaming for both individuals and businesses.

Notable features include:

• Global CDN ensures ultra-fast video delivery with low latency worldwide.
• Flexible pay as you go pricing model with no contracts or commitments.
• Advanced security features like token authentication, signed URLs, and IP access control.
• A comprehensive API that integrates with existing workflows and platforms.
• Complies with GDPR and other data protection regulations.

What We Like About BunnyStream

• Fast performance: With a global network of servers, BunnyStream ensures videos load quickly and smoothly.
• Comprehensive analytics include view counts, play rates, geographic data, and viewer behavior. You can use these to optimize your video content and marketing strategies.
• Affordable pricing: It provides transparent and flexible pricing without compromising performance.

Bunnystream Challenges

• Customer support isn’t as robust as other platforms.

Pricing

• Free encoding.
• Storage: Starts at $.01/GB.
• CDN: $0.005/GB.

Verdict: BunnyStream is particularly attractive for those who don’t need extensively advanced features. Its pay as you go feature helps you get started and only pay more if your needs increase. It’s also the recommended host for Presto Player.

Get started with BunnyStream.

YouTube

YouTube is the world’s largest video-sharing platform, hosting over 2 billion monthly active users and more than 500 hours of video uploaded every minute.

It provides free hosting and access to a massive audience. However, it has limitations in branding and monetization control.

YouTube features include:

• Massive audience reach with billions of active users.
• Monetization methods like ad revenue, channel memberships, and Super Chats.
• Advanced algorithms for content discovery and recommendations.
• Live streaming capabilities with real-time interaction features like live chat.
• Detailed insights into performance, audience demographics, and engagement metrics.

What We Like About YouTube

• SEO and discoverability: Google owns YouTube, and its search algorithm is optimized for discoverability. Proper SEO techniques increase video exposure.
• Educational and informative content: YouTube has an extensive library of high-quality content to help you find in-depth information on a topic.
• Integration with other Google services: YouTube’s integration with other Google services, such as Google Ads and Google Analytics, can help you run targeted ad campaigns and track performance across platforms.

YouTube Challenges

• Little control over copyright and video content.
• Increase in ads is putting people off using it.

Pricing

• YouTube Free: Costs $0.
• YouTube TV: This TV streaming service offers access to various cable channels, sports networks, and local broadcast stations for a monthly fee of around $64.99.

Get started with YouTube.

Vimeo

With over 1.24 million subscribers, Vimeo emphasizes high-quality video playback and advanced privacy settings.

It is very popular among filmmakers, artists, and business professionals.

Features include:

• HD streaming for enhanced viewing quality.
• DRM tools to protect from unauthorized access and piracy.
• Customizable player to match brand aesthetics.
• Advanced analytics into video performance and viewer engagement.
• Live streaming option, with features like live chat and Q&A.

What We Like About Vimeo

• High video quality: With support for HD video and ad-free viewing, Vimeo ensures your audience experiences content exactly as intended—crisp, clear, and uninterrupted.
• Customization and privacy: Whether you’re sharing a private project or offering exclusive content to subscribers, Vimeo gives you the control you need.
• Flexible monetization options: Pay-per-view, subscription models, or direct sales, Vimeo lets you choose the best monetization strategy for your audience.
  Vimeo On Demand, for instance, allows you to sell videos directly to viewers.

Vimeo Challenges

• The free plan offers limited storage.

Pricing

• Free
• Starter: $20/user/month ($12/user/month if billed annually).
• Standard: $33/user/month ($20/user/month if billed annually).
• Advanced: $108/user/month ($65/user/month if billed annually).

Verdict: Vimeo’s high cost may not appeal to everyone. However, the platform’s focus on professional features and high-quality playback ensures it remains competitive.

Get started with Vimeo.

Wistia

Wistia is a video hosting platform tailored for marketers and businesses with over 500,000 users.

It provides tools to enhance video marketing efforts, including lead capture forms, integrations with CRM systems, and in-depth analytics.

Features include:

• High-definition video hosting tailored for business.
• Video player customization to match brand aesthetics.
• Detailed insights into video performance, viewer engagement, and conversions.
• Built-in tools for capturing leads directly from videos through forms and calls to action.
• Integration with marketing tools like HubSpot, Marketo, and Salesforce.

What We Like About Wistia

• Video marketing integration: Integrates seamlessly with marketing tools like HubSpot, MailChimp, and Marketo. Allows you to track and analyze performance using your existing marketing tools.
• Interactive video features: Add annotations, links, and clickable areas within videos to create a more engaging experience for viewers.
• Lead generation and conversion tools: Whether you’re collecting emails for a newsletter or directing viewers to a product page, Wistia integrates them easily.

Wistia Challenges

• Wistia can be expensive, especially for individual creators with limited budgets.

Pricing

• Free
• Plus: $24/month ($19/month if billed annually).
• Pro: $99/month ($79/month if billed annually).
• Advanced: $399/month ($319/month if billed annually).

Verdict: Wistia is ideal for marketers and businesses seeking advanced marketing tools and detailed video analytics. At a cost.

Get started with Wistia.

Jetpack VideoPress

Jetpack’s VideoPress is a video hosting solution designed for WordPress.

It integrates seamlessly, offering a user-friendly experience for uploading, managing, and displaying video.

Features include:

• Ad-free video hosting for a clean viewing experience.
• Easily integrates with WordPress for effortless video embedding and management.
• Allows customization of the video player to match website branding.
• High-definition video streaming for enhanced viewing.
• Advanced privacy settings to control access and sharing.

What We Like About VideoPress

• Seamless WordPress integration: Easily upload, manage, and display videos directly from your WordPress dashboard.
• Ad-free viewing experience: Your audience can watch content without interruptions.
• Unlimited storage and bandwidth: Upload as many videos as you need without worrying about storage limits or additional bandwidth charges.

VideoPress Challenges

• The platform is suited for WordPress users and not ideal for those using other content management systems.

Pricing

• One month: Costs $14.95 per month (you can try it for $4.95 per month).
• One year: Costs $59.40 per year, then $119.40 from the second year.
• Two years: Costs $95.75 when you sign up for the first two years, then $143.05 from the 3rd year.

Verdict: VideoPress by Jetpack is good for WordPress site owners. It offers unlimited storage and an ad-free experience making it suitable for users focused on simplicity and functionality.

Get started with VideoPress.

Vidyard

Vidyard is a hosting platform tailored for businesses that leverage video for sales and marketing.

Features like video personalization and deep CRM integration make it a powerful tool for driving engagement and conversions.

Features include:

• Custom video content and engagement tools.
• In-depth analytics of viewer engagement, behavior, and video performance.
• Built-in tools to add call to action buttons directly in videos.
• Integration with popular sales and marketing platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Marketo.
• Comprehensive video hosting and management solutions tailored for businesses.

What We Like About Vidyard

• Video sales and marketing integration: Easily integrate video into your marketing and sales campaigns to boost conversions and close deals.
• Personalization: Tailor videos with specific viewer details like their name or company, making content more engaging and relevant.
• Lead generation features: Capture viewer information and guide viewers towards conversion.

Vidyard Challenges

• Vidyard’s advanced features come at a high price.

Pricing

• Free
• Pro: $29/month ($19/month if billed annually).
• Plus: $89/month ($59/month if billed annually).
• Business: Pricing on request.

Verdict: We highly recommend Vidyard for sales and marketing teams looking to leverage video analytics and personalization.

Get started with Vidyard.

Facebook Videos

Facebook Videos is a hosting feature of the social network which has over 2.8 billion monthly active users.

It allows you to upload, share, and live-stream videos directly to users, pages, and groups.

Notable features include:

• Massive user base with billions of users worldwide.
• Helps build and nurture a community around your brand or content.
• Native video features like 360-degree videos and Stories.
• Advanced targeting options for video ads to reach specific demographics and interests.
• Comprehensive analytics to track video performance, audience engagement and reach.

What We Like About Facebook Videos

• Engagement and interaction: With comments, likes, shares, and reactions, viewers can easily interact with your content.
• Live streaming: Use the real-time nature of Facebook Live to create a sense of urgency and excitement, encouraging more viewers to tune in.
• Cross-platform sharing: You can easily share videos across multiple platforms, including Instagram and WhatsApp.

Facebook Video Challenges

• Content and branding are subject to Facebook policies.

Pricing

• Facebook Videos is a free product.

Verdict: Facebook Videos is excellent for individuals and businesses aiming to leverage an extensive audience for video content and drive engagement.

However, businesses seeking more control over branding may find the platform less than ideal.

Get started with Facebook Videos.

Instagram

Instagram has over 1 billion monthly active users. It is a social media platform that offers robust video hosting features through Instagram Stories, IGTV, and Reels.

It’s ideal for short, engaging video content aimed at driving social media interaction.

Features include:

• Emphasis on visual content for storytelling through photos and videos.
• IGTV, a dedicated platform for longer-form videos of up to 60 minutes.
• Instagram Stories, short-lived, immersive video content that disappear after 24 hours.
• Built-in filters and editing tools for enhancing videos.
• Interactive features like comments, likes, and direct messages for viewer engagement.

What We Like About Instagram

• Diverse video formats: Features like feed videos (for quick updates), Stories (15-second ephemeral videos), IGTV (longer-form 60-minute videos) and Reels (60-second videos), cater to diverse preferences.
• Shopping and conversion features: Easily convert viewers into customers. For example, you can tag products directly in your videos, allowing users to make purchases without leaving the app.
• Discoverability through hashtags and Explore page: By using relevant hashtags, you can reach users interested in specific topics.

Instagram Challenges

• Videos are often accompanied by distracting comments and other social media content.

Pricing

• Instagram TV is free.

Verdict: Instagram is perfect for individuals and brands focused on social media engagement and short-form video content. It excels in enhancing social media engagement for creators and brands.

Get started with Instagram.

TikTok

With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok is a short-form video hosting platform known for its viral content, quick, engaging videos, and strong social media engagement.

It’s popular among younger audiences, and has huge reach.

Features include:

• Emphasis on short, engaging videos up to 60 seconds long.
• A wide array of editing tools, effects, and filters to enhance video creativity.
• Viral challenges and popular hashtags to increase discoverability.
• Personalized content feed based on user interactions and preferences.
• Ability to create duets and react to videos, fostering collaboration and interaction.

What We Like About TikTok

• Massive global reach: You can connect with people virtually anywhere, making it an excellent platform to promote your brand.
• Viral potential: TikTok’s algorithm is designed to surface engaging content to a wide audience, giving videos the potential to go viral.
• Authentic and relatable content: The platform makes it easy for you to create relatable content which resonates well with many viewers.

TikTok Challenges

• Some users have reported issues related to data privacy and security.

Pricing

• TikTok is free.

Verdict: TikTok is ideal for creators and brands targeting younger audiences with short, engaging video content. It’s a powerful platform for creating viral videos, owing to its algorithm and extensive editing tools.

Get started with TikTok.

Uscreen

Uscreen is a video monetization platform that enables creators to build their video streaming service.

It supports subscriptions, rentals, and one-time purchases, catering to over 25,000 creators.

Features include:

• Video monetization through subscriptions, rentals, or purchases.
• Customizable over-the-top (OTT) apps for platforms like iOS, Android, Roku, and more.
• Reliable video hosting and streaming with adaptive bitrate technology.
• Tools for email marketing, promotions, coupons, and analytics to grow your audience.
• User-friendly content management system for organizing your video library.

What We Like About Uscreen

• Robust monetization options: You can generate revenue through subscriptions, one-time purchases, rentals, and even live streaming events.
• Advanced analytics and insights: Track viewer behavior, engagement metrics, revenue reports, and more.
• Secure and reliable platform: It offers secure video hosting with DRM to protect content from unauthorized access and piracy.

Uscreen Challenges

• Higher starting price compared to basic hosting platforms.
• Steep learning curve.

Pricing

• Growth: $199/month ($149/month if paid annually).
• Pro: $599/month ($499/month if paid annually).
• Plus: Custom pricing for more advanced needs.

Verdict: Uscreen works well for creators who want to monetize video content through a customizable streaming service.

While the initial cost may be high, the robust features and customization capabilities justify the investment for serious content creators.

Get started with Uscreen.

Brightcove

Brightcove is a professional-grade video hosting platform designed for enterprises and media companies.

It offers comprehensive video distribution, marketing, and monetization tools and powers a lot of the videos you see on the web.

Features include:

• Scalable video hosting solutions suitable for enterprises.
• Supports monetization models such as subscriptions, advertising, and pay-per-view.
• Live streaming capabilities with DVR, analytics, and audience engagement features.
• Advanced video analytics for tracking viewer engagement and audience demographics.
• Extensive APIs and integrations with third-party platforms.

What We Like About Brightcove

• High-quality video streaming: The platform supports adaptive bitrate streaming which adjusts the video quality based on the viewer’s internet connection.
• Customizable video players: Customize the player’s appearance, add interactive elements like CTAs, and integrate it seamlessly into your website or app.
• Global Content Delivery Network (CDN): Brightcove’s CDN is a significant advantage if your business has an international audience.

Brightcove Challenges

• Advanced features may be overwhelming for new users.
• Designed mainly for enterprises or larger companies.

Pricing

• Contact sales for pricing.

Verdict: Brightcove is ideal for enterprises and media companies seeking a robust and scalable video hosting solution.

With its professional-grade features and strong security measures, it caters to large organizations.

Get started with Brightcove.

Sprout Video

Sprout Video is a video hosting platform focused on providing a simple yet powerful solution for businesses.

It offers a range of features to manage video content for large or small organizations.

Features include:

• Extensive customization to match brand aesthetics.
• Advanced security features, including domain restriction, password protection, and DRM.
• Detailed analytics on viewer behavior, engagement metrics, and video performance.
• APIs add extensibility and flexible integration.
• Live streaming support, with real-time analytics and interactive features like live chat.

What We Like About Sprout Video

• Customizable video player: The video player is fully customizable, allowing you to easily match it to your brand.
• Flexible pricing plans: The platform’s pricing flexibility makes it an accessible option for various types of users.
• Video marketing tools: Capture leads with customizable email capture forms, embed videos seamlessly and integrate with marketing automation platforms.

Sprout Video Challenges

• It can quickly become costly for heavy users.

Pricing

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

All pricing plans come with a 30-day free trial period.

Verdict: Sprout Video is great for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a straightforward, secure video hosting solution. Its straightforward pricing works best for small and medium-sized businesses but gets expensive quickly.

Get started with Sprout Video.

Dailymotion

Dailymotion is a video-sharing platform similar to YouTube. It focuses on user-generated content and has a global audience.

It’s more useful for individuals rather than companies but is an excellent alternative to YouTube.

Features include:

• Provides access to a global audience with millions of active users.
• Monetization opportunities through video ads and premium content.
• Advanced algorithms for content discovery and personalized recommendations.
• Tools for uploading, managing, and analyzing video content.
• Community engagement features like comments, likes, and shares.

What We Like About Dailymotion

• Flexible content management: It offers flexible content management options, allowing you to organize videos into playlists and channels.
• Content syndication: You can syndicate content across multiple platforms and websites, which extends the reach of videos beyond Dailymotion’s own platform.
• SEO and discoverability: The platform’s search-friendly design ensures that viewers searching for relevant topics can easily find your videos.

Dailymotion Challenges

• Videos are monetized through ads, which can be intrusive.
• Less control over content distribution and branding compared to dedicated hosting.

Pricing

• Dailymotion is free.

Verdict: Dailymotion is a solid choice for content creators aiming to reach a global audience and monetize videos through ad revenue.

Its wide reach and user-friendly interface make it appealing to many creators seeking to share and monetize their content.

“Video content has a higher probability of engaging and converting customers compared to other content forms”
Rand Fishkin, Founder of Moz

Video Hosting Platforms: Recap

Video content is definitely popular. But as we’ve explored in this article, not all video hosting platforms are created equal.

YouTube is tempting, but its limitations can hinder brand growth and overall video performance.

Opting for a dedicated video hosting platform like Vimeo, Wistia, or BunnyStream can provide the customization, control, and analytics to make your videos shine.

Remember, choosing the right platform depends on your specific needs and budget.

BunnyStream gets our vote as a compelling self-hosting option, especially if you want a powerful yet affordable solution.

The pay-as-you-go model and robust features make it a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes.

Have you experimented with different video hosting platforms? We’d love to hear about your experiences and recommendations. Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below!

Video Hosting FAQs

What Is the Best Video Hosting Site?

The best video hosting site depends entirely on your needs and priorities. If affordability is your primary concern, BunnyStream provides a cost-effective solution for reliable video hosting. Vimeo is an excellent choice for prioritizing high-quality video playback and a professional aesthetic.

For businesses focused on video marketing and lead generation, Wistia offers robust tools and analytics.

Where Can I Host My Own Videos?

You can host your own videos in several ways, each with varying levels of control and technical requirements:

Video hosting platforms offer user-friendly interfaces and simple uploading processes. They typically provide video players, sharing features, and basic analytics. Think YouTube, Vimeo and Wistia.

Self-hosting on your website gives you complete control over your video content and branding. However, it requires disk space and a quality hosting plan.

You can use content management systems (CMS) like WordPress with plugins such as VideoPress or JW Player for easier management.

Cloud video hosting services provide scalable storage and delivery of your videos through cloud infrastructure. They offer advanced features like content protection, adaptive bitrate streaming, and detailed analytics. These include Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, and JW Player.

Peer-to-peer video hosting distributes your videos across a network of computers, reducing bandwidth costs and improving playback speeds.

Ultimately, the best place to host your videos depends on your technical expertise, budget, and desired level of control.

What Is a Video Hosting Platform?

A video hosting platform is a specialized online service that allows users to upload, store, and share video files with others. Unlike simply uploading videos directly to your website, which can strain bandwidth and storage resources, video hosting platforms take care of the technical aspects of video delivery.

They ensure smooth playback, handle large file sizes, and often offer content delivery networks (CDNs) to distribute videos globally.

How Do I Host a Video for Free?

There are several ways to host your video for free. Several platforms offer such functionality but with limitations. YouTube, the most popular option, provides unlimited storage and the potential to reach a massive audience. However, your videos may be subject to ads.

Vimeo, known for its high-quality playback, offers limited storage and features on its free plan. Dailymotion, similar to YouTube but with a smaller user base, offers free hosting with fewer content restrictions and includes ads. Other free options include limited video hosting offered by website builders and CMS platforms.