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What is the best video hosting solution?
Just like for streaming platforms and OTT, the video hosting services market has a few big names. While many offer similar (or at least comparable) features, some providers are more suited to specific use cases.
Also, keep in mind that YouTube is not the only player in the market. There are plenty of alternatives to YouTube.
Here's my pick of the best video hosting solutions.
1. Vimeo.
Best video hosting solution for businesses
Vimeo is a bit of an intruder on this list. YouTube is more secure, Vimeo is designed for artists who want to present their videos without handing over control to a juggernaut like the Google video site.
After creating an account, uploading your videos and integrating them into your site is an easy process.
They will also exist on a standalone Vimeo page that visitors can reach.
Depending on the subscription plan you choose, you can add engaging features, such as calls to action and request forms, to Vimeo videos.
Vimeo is not up to par when it comes to integrations and dynamic models.
Unlike Cincopa, Wistia, and Vidyard, if you want to integrate your Vimeo account with a marketing automation platform (or any other type of CRM), you'll need to use Zapier. This can be expensive and time consuming.
Additionally, if you want to present videos in a manner similar to Cincopa Video Course or Wistia Channels while using Vimeo, you'll need to hire a web developer to create a custom template for you (this is true for any type of playlist presentation).
With Vimeo, what you see is what you get (i.e. a solid video player).
You should check Vidyard if you are a.. :
- Artist
- SMB
- SMES
Pricing
You can experience Vimeo's basic plan for a 30-day trial period, after which you can choose one of the following premium plans. Unlike the other platforms on the list, Vimeo charges based on the capacity of cloud storage, not the number of videos downloaded:
- Vimeo Plus - For $7 per month, you can host up to 5GB of videos per week. Suitable for single use
- Vimeo Pro - For $20 per month, you can host up to 20GB of videos per week. Suitable for three users.
- Vimeo Premium - For $75 per month, you can host up to 7TB of videos. Suitable for 10 users and more With this plan, you can add calls to action to your videos and during the live stream, too.
- Vimeo Enterprise - Get in touch with their team to find out more about what this plan has to offer.
2. Youtube.
Best free video hosting platform
The second most popular website in the world, youtube, is a video platform great. She has helped launch the careers of pop stars and influencers and inspires people to watch hours of video at a time. But what's good for Billie Eilish and Bieber isn't necessarily good for you and your business.
You can embed videos youtube on your website, and it won't cost you anything. But sometimes free travel comes at a price.
When you embed YouTube videos on your website, you're essentially giving up control over the content that your visitors will encounter. Plus, you're ostensibly opening a trap door through which visitors can easily leave your website and go down the YouTube burrow.
youtube Nor is it a platform without advertising, which means that your competitors can advertise before your target audience can see your videos.
Customizable videos are also a serious problem.
To customize YouTube embed codes, you'll need to manipulate the CSS and code, which can take time and lead to unsatisfactory results. You can also have your embedded YouTube video appear without signature controls, which even the most technically difficult people can do.
All of this is in sharp contrast to (most) of the other platforms mentioned in this list. Designed to be highly flexible, video hosting software for businesses allows users to design their own video player, which highlights the company logo and matches its colors.
But most importantly, YouTube does not provide data that is as comprehensive as other paid options.
Here is the scope of YouTube's analytics:
- You can see the total number of views and the ratio between what you like and what you don't like thanks to Youtube Analytics.
- Aside from these vanity metrics, you have no idea how your video resonates with your audience. This is a problem when trying to assess whether or not your video marketing initiatives are successful.
You should use YouTube if you are:
An individual or a business with a tight marketing budget.
Unlimited video downloading, free video hosting, social sharing, and even live stream hosting are all possible.
Pricing
Free
3. Cincopa.
Cincopa stands out as a comprehensive platform for managing digital assets and media. It's a fancy way of saying that you can host everything with Cincopa: images, podcasts, audio files, and, of course, videos.
Remember the immersive Netflix-like video environment mentioned above?
You can easily do that with this platform by creating a Cincopa video channel. If you intend to create a video course, whether for students, customers, or employee onboarding, you can use the Cincopa video course.
You can gather information about each viewer by having forms appear during a video.
With powerful third-party integrations, you can deliver this valuable information to your marketing automation platform (for example, HubSpot).
So, you can take the content that your audience is most likely to enjoy and incorporate it into your automated marketing initiatives (for example, evaluating prospects based on predefined viewing criteria, workflow triggers).
Like other providers on this list (Vidyard and Wistia), Cincopa offers a powerful screen recording tool: RecTrace.
RecTrace, a free Chrome extension, allows users to record themselves, record their screen, or both, and stream compelling videos in minutes. Users can do all of this from their email browser.
Users can click on the RecTrace icon in their Gmail, register; once the recording is complete, the video is automatically added to the email.
Finally, Cincopa's robust analytics capabilities can be a game changer, especially for those who value individual lead generation. V
You can see who each viewer is, where in the world they watched a video, what device they used to do so, and the exact breakdown of their viewing history (for example, views, engagement with CTAs, etc.)
Other functions, such as Cincopa heatmaps, provide an overview of the performance of a given video. You can see when there's a significant drop in viewership and optimize accordingly.
You should be interested in Cincopa if you are a.. :
- SMB
- SMES
- Enterprise
- Franchisor
- Online educator
Pricing
You can explore the Cincopa platform for a 30-day trial period, after which you can choose one of the following subscription plans:
- Plus - For $25 per month, you can host up to 40 videos, as well as 1,500 images, 200 audio files (including long-form podcasts), and 40 PDFs. With this plan, users have access to basic analytic functions and a variety of third-party integrations.
- Corporate - For $99 per month, you can host unlimited videos, images, podcasts, and PDFs online. Suitable for ten users With this plan, users have access to Cincopa's advanced analytics features and third-party integrations.
- Agency/Company - For $350 per month, you get unlimited bandwidth and the ability to download high-quality images, podcasts, PDFs, and video files. This plan is suitable for 250 users. With this plan, users have access to Cincopa's analytical functions and its third-party integrations.
4. Wistia.
Leading video marketing platform, Wistia is a popular video tool sought after by businesses and marketing agencies. Offering a large number of analytical functions, Wistia can be used to generate more leads through the visualization of videos on site.
Wistia's A/B test function is particularly interesting. Once users upload videos, they can use random thumbnails to A/B test, analyze, and track viewer engagement.
Recognizing their immense commercial potential, Wistia recently added thepodcast hosting to the list of its offers.
Users can upload podcasts to their Wistia account and upload them to their Wistia channels (a model similar to Cincopa video channels).
In addition to solid analysis (concerning individual viewing habits), Wistia offers a screen recording software called Soapbox.
Users can register, record their screen, or both, and immediately send videos to customers, prospects, and team members.
Wistia offers integration codes that are compatible with most CRMs (including WordPress).
You should check out Wistia if you are a:
- SMES
- Enterprise
- Marketers
Pricing
Wistia offers a free plan that allows you to download and integrate three videos or podcasts.
Alternatively, you can choose one of the following paid plans:
- Pro - For $99 per month, you can host up to ten videos or podcasts and have access to Wistia analytics. You can add videos, podcasts or audio files for 25¢ per month
- Advanced - This plan allows 100 videos or podcasts and provides access to third-party integrations with marketing automation platforms. You can contact the sales department to find out the price.
5. Vidyard.
Vidyard is a well-established name in video hosting, and for good reason. Like Wistia and Cincopa, its platform is easy to use and offers users an intuitive interface.
However, unlike the platforms mentioned above, Vidyard's solution is tailored to four specific use cases: marketing, sales, internal communications, and business.
Offering advanced video analytics, Vidyard can show users who watched each video and provide a detailed breakdown of individual viewing patterns.
In addition, Vidyard offers its version of RecTrace and Soapbox (that is, a screen recording extension), simply named Vidyard Screen Recorder. As with RecTrace and Soapbox, these videos can be inserted into emails.
Vidyard offers a variety of powerful integrations, including Twitter and Hootsuite. You can schedule video uploads directly to your social accounts and improve your social video sharing game.
Finally, it should be noted that Vidyard has native integration with HubSpot (a popular marketing automation tool, especially for SMEs).
You should check Vidyard if you are a.. :
- Enterprise
- SMES
Pricing
Vidyard offers a free plan that allows you to download and embed five videos.
Alternatively, you can choose one of the following packages:
- Pro- For $15 per month, you can host up to 20 videos. With this plan, a user can get access to Vidyard analytics.
- Plus - For $300 per month, you can host up to 50 videos. Suitable for 3 users and more With this plan, a user can access Vidyard analytics and other features, such as video CTAs.
- Business - For $1250 per month, you can host up to 100 videos. Suitable for 5 users and more With this plan, a user can access Vidyard's analytics and other features, including a CRM/MAP integration.
6. Brightcove.
Professional video hosting platform, Brightcove is aimed exclusively at businesses.
Its impressive list of customers includes ESPN.com, Adobe, SAS, and Rogers Media.
This appears in the information available concerning the price of its subscription plans.
Brightcove plans are tailored specifically to each customer, based on customer needs, number of users, and bandwidth.
Brightcove provides users with comprehensive security features, as well as in-depth analysis, related to the preferences and habits of individual viewers.
Publishers can turn to Brightcove knowing it can help them monetize video; the platform is compatible with VAST programmatic advertising.
Adding banners to a video channel is a unique feature of Brightcove. Users can create a single video channel (similar to the Wistia and Cincopa video channels) and add clickable ads (similar to retargeting banners seen on social media) to it.
You should check out Brightcove if you are a.. :
- Marketing specialist
- Editor
Pricing
Brightcove offers a variety of plans to suit different use cases and business needs.
They don't publish their prices. To request a quote, you should contact their sales department.
7. Kaltura.
More than the other platforms on this list, Kaltura's main use case for its customers is online education.
Leading universities, as well as major companies, trust Kaltura as online course platform for their employees and students, knowing that the functionality of the platform is intuitive but complete.
Like the other platforms on this list, Kalutra users have a comprehensive analytics dashboard. Essential for tracking student progress, administrators can see how each student interacts with a given video:
Did he watch a given video once? Twice? More than that?
Did he answer the quiz presented in the middle or at the end of a certain video?
You can get a clear answer to these questions by looking at Kaltura statistics.
If you work with an LMS (learning management system) to onboard employees, you can integrate Kaltura into it. This will allow you to introduce video in an otherwise text-based approach.
You should take a look at Kaltura if you are a:
- Enterprise
- Online trainer
Pricing
You can explore Kaltura's platform for a 30-day trial period, after which you'll need to contact sales and switch to their business plan. The final prices depend on the specific needs of the customers.
Other tools not yet mentioned in this list include JetPack, SproutVideo, and DailyMotion.
What is a video hosting solution?
Website developers who want to add videos to their website have several options available to them.
They can upload videos to YouTube, copy the URL of the YouTube videos, and then embed it into the editor of their content management system (CMS) (for example, WordPress).
They can also turn to video hosting solutions.
The right video hosting solutions are designed for a variety of business use cases. Once you subscribe to a platform, you can easily download your videos. You will then get an integration code that you can just as easily paste into your CMS.
However, there are major differences between relying on free solutions and a video hosting solution.
HBOmax, AppleTV, Amazon Prime, and, of course, Netflix, have set a new standard for video consumption. When they access your site, your visitors expect to have a viewing experience that is consistent with that of the streaming giants.
Video hosting sites allow you to offer your viewers a dynamic and immersive video environment on your website.
There is better.
With a variety of powerful features, such as video forms and calls to action (CTAs), you can gather information about each viewer.
You can see who watched each video, where they came from in the world, what device they used, and an exact breakdown of what they watched and how much they watched.
Finally, video hosting solutions really allow you to take advantage of the benefits of video SEO.
Google rewards video content when it is associated with a video hosting service.
Thanks to a JSON-LD file (automatically injected into the header of your web page), search engines are more likely to highlight your video in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Factors to consider when choosing a video hosting solution
The following factors should be considered when choosing a video hosting site for your business.
Cost
The cost of the service and whether or not there is a free version. A common mistake is choosing a paid option because it seems more professional; this can be expensive if you only need the site for one video and don't intend to use it again. Free sites allow you to download your videos without having to pay download or advertising fees. On the other hand, a paid video hosting solution is a great idea if your business depends on the success of your videos.
Customisable
A customizable interface allows you to reorder the layout in the way that is most effective for you. This allows businesses with multiple videos to group them together in the same place so that they can be found more easily. It also allows business owners to easily display their social media links and the company logo at various points in the videos.
Monetization
Monetization is about how you get the money back from your video hosting solution. Many websites offer you the option of running ads before, during, and after watching your video. Some sites allow you to add affiliate links and earn money when people click on the link and buy a product or service.
Search engine optimization (SEO)
SEO is about how easy it is for someone to find your video.
This aspect is important for businesses because it allows people who are looking for information about specific products or services to find it.
Many businesses choose platforms based on their SEO capabilities because they want their videos to be referenced as high as possible in search engines like Google and Yahoo.
Statistics
Statistics tell you how many people watched your video or visited your website after watching it.
This is important for businesses because they can determine viewers' interests, viewers' demographics, and how many people are ready to share the video.
The statistics also provide information about which videos are performing well or poorly.
Share
Sharing allows you to post your videos to popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and more.
This is important for businesses because it allows their videos to reach a wider audience by sharing them in a variety of locations where their target audience is located.
FAQs
What are the main video hosting solutions?
The main video hosting platforms are YouTube, Vimeo, and Wistia.
These are the video hosting platforms you'll encounter most often.
If you're a business looking for video hosting, I highly recommend choosing Vimeo or Wistia.
I use both of these platforms in my business and I am extremely happy with them.
Where can I host videos for free?
Free video hosting solutions like YouTube and Dailymotion are great options to get started.
If you're looking for a high-end video hosting option for your business, I'd go with Vimeo, Wistia, or Vidyard.
They offer a ton of features that free video hosting sites don't.
What is the best hosting for a video website?
If your website is focused on hosting online videos, I would go for a high-end video hosting solution like Vimeo or Wisita.
Both of these platforms are ideal for creating a video-based website.
Summary.
By the end of 2022, 82% of consumer internet traffic will be based on the video.
Regardless of their size or industry, businesses would be well advised to start placing a high value on video marketing.
And, to go about it strategically, the marketers (B2B and B2C) should explore video hosting platforms.
With built-in features like video forms and calls to action, you can start leveraging your videos to generate leads and accelerate sales (not just as a promotional vehicle).
With just a few clicks, you can integrate your video into your CMS and engage your website visitors with impressive video content.
It's not clear if YouTube content meets your business goals. Businesses looking to excel in the video marketing game would do well to opt for a multi-channel approach.
Ultimately, you should use a custom video hosting platform to present videos on your website while creating and cultivating a YouTube channel.
