Understanding the essential streaming setup
Before you’re able to decide on the best streaming software, it would be good to go over the makings of an average live streaming setup. Some variations are permitted, but the fundamental structure is rigid, and it contains:
What is live streaming encoding software?
When you turn your camera on, everything captured needs to be “packaged” in a more practical format. Generally, you want enough compression applied to the data to make it transferable via connections with reasonable upload speeds. Also, the streaming platform (Facebook, Instagram, or another one) should support the encoding method.
This process transpires in the encoder — a part of the setup acting as a liaison between the input and the output. Encoders come in two forms:
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Is hardware encoding better than software encoding?
What are the main characteristics of live streaming software to consider?
Most of the currently popular streaming software has some things in common. You would have to look very hard to find a solution with no support for H.264 encoding — arguably the most widespread video encoding standard in use today.
But there’s an awful lot that sets different solutions apart. If you’re adamant about finding the best streaming software, a surface-level look might prove useful — much more than learning how encoding actually works. So, you should be on the lookout for a couple of main characteristics, such as:
The Best Streaming Software in 2021
Good live streaming software is the software that matches most of your criteria and performs the core tasks you have for it. Great live streaming software gives you the tools to take your live streaming to a whole new level — if you’re willing to put some work and money into it.Here are a couple of the biggest players in the live streaming software market in 2021. They offer mixes of features, functionalities, and price points, and at least one of them is bound to fit your situation.
OBS Studio
The Open Broadcaster Software Studio is often the gateway software for people who are new to live streaming. You can easily see why, because it is free and compatible with a variety of platforms, you can customize it to your heart’s desire, and it works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
On the downside, the OBS Studio is open source, which means it offers no official support. There is a large and engaged community that might help you out instead, but that’s not the best solution for everyone.
Streamlabs OBS
The Streamlabs version of OBS, also known as SLOBS, looks like its mission statement was to take OBS Studio and make it easier to use. Besides accomplishing that mission, SLOBS manages to be free, offer support, and come with features that make it especially attractive to gaming streamers.
But everything’s not gravy in the SLOBS camp. For example, you can only use the streaming software on a Windows computer. You should check whether the platform you want to stream to comes with native support in SLOBS. Also, be prepared for the occasional bug.
XSplit
As you progress towards the professional, high-end live streaming software solutions, XSplit is a common steppingstone. It’s easy to use, comes in basic (free) and premium varieties, and it offers decent support and the occasional feature update. You can also use third-party apps and plugins with it.
Even though XSplit is easy to use, you will need to have some knowledge about encoding, because it doesn’t come with presets. You can forget about using it on Mac or Linux systems, and you really have to shell out for the paid version to avoid things like watermarks and locked features.
vMix
vMix is another option for the pros, although it does come with a basic, free plan. If 4k live streaming is what you’re looking for, vMix is a sound choice. Like Wirecast, it comes packed with many advanced features, it offers great support, and it’s available at several pricing points, which makes it easy to upgrade according to your needs.
If your needs, however, include live streaming from a Mac, vMix will be of no help to you — it’s only available on Windows systems. It’s a drain on system resources, which is something you’d expect from professional-grade streaming software. vMix also has the biggest price tag on this list.
What is a Live Streaming Platform?
A live streaming platform is a video hosting platform that enables users to upload and broadcast video in real-time.
Live streaming platforms are a critical component that all live video publishers must have access to when streaming content over the internet. They act as the connector between video creators and audiences. Creators use them to broadcast live videos to the masses and audiences rely on them to access live streams.
YouTube Live
YouTube is home to 2 billion monthly users from across the globe. As much as 89% of its users are from outside of the US. While 37% of millennials binge-watch the platform daily, research also shows that 51% of boomers also watch YouTube.
This makes it a boon for video content creators. There are channels on almost any subject you can imagine and people following them.
Reasons to consider using YouTube Live as your live streaming platform:
While the most powerful features have been covered above, there are others that you don’t want to miss out on.
For example, YouTube Live comes with a highlights feature. It gives creators the chance to create an edited version of their live stream while it’s running, something that can attract more viewers looking for something to watch.
YouTube Live also offers a chat tool that powers audience engagement that can be moderated.
Lastly, Premiers (only available on Desktop) allows you to showcase videos people view together for the first time, helping creators generate more interest and excitement around new content.
YouTube Live Monetization Features
Monetizing videos is a major drawcard for YouTubers. Live video can be monetized in five ways:
YouTube doesn’t charge a fee to use their live streaming feature, however, when monetizing live videos you will be subject to its revenue share policy.
Facebook Live
Facebook Live was launched in 2016. Since then, it’s grown into an unstoppable platform with 28% of people viewing a Facebook live stream each month.
Facebook has a global base of over 2.7 billion monthly active users and age groups range from 13 to 65+ with Millenials forming the largest group.
Reasons to use Facebook Live as their live streaming platform:
Facebook Live comes with a collection of helpful features. Each is geared towards creating exciting experiences for its users.
You can schedule a live stream using Live Producer. This allows creators to promote a future event a week in advance. You’re also able to interact with users via live chat (with comment moderation), and use native trimming features to edit previously live videos.
Facebook Live Monetization Features
Facebook offers In-Stream Ads that must be active to monetize live videos. You must meet its eligibility requirements before you can create and monetize live streams. All revenue generated from live video ads is subject to Facebook’s revenue-sharing policy.
Non-profits can use the donate feature if they qualify for the service.
Facebook Live Pricing
Facebook Live is free to use. You will need to be an account holder to access the platform and broadcast live.
Instagram Live
Instagram is more than just your favorite photo app. It captures 13% of all live stream viewers on social media today. This makes it a powerful video platform for creators and brands that want to grow.
The largest demographic group is men aged 18 to 24, and 75% of all users are within the same age range.
Statistically, that’s not all that Instagram has going on. According to the platform, 90% of all accounts follow a business account–proof that brands can dominate on this social network.
Reasons to use Instagram Live as a live streaming platform:
Instagram Live is a mobile device feature. With it, you can turn your smartphone or tablet into a camera and share your message with the world. This includes inviting friends to join a live stream and controlling who can message you when live.
Instagram offers a live stream chat moderation feature. It’s activated in the Comments Controls section of the app and will hide offensive comments. If you’d like, you can opt for manual control, but this may prove challenging while broadcasting live.
Instagram Live Monetization Features
Instagram Live videos can be monetized using In-Stream Ads. Ad revenue is subject to its partner monetization policy.
The platform has been hard at work to make donating to live content creators possible. Through the purchase of badges from $0.99 to $4.99, viewers can support their favorite Instagrammer and be recognized in real-time.
Instagram Live Pricing
Instagram Live is freely available to all users.
LinkedIn Live
Most would argue that LinkedIn was late to the live streaming party. But that hasn’t led to any shortage in live stream success for the professional networking platform. In February of 2020, the number of live streams grew by 158%.
Being home to a global network of professionals, LinkedIn’s demographics range from 15 year-olds to 56+ year-olds, with the 25-to-34-year age group forming the largest advertising cohort.
Reasons to use LinkedIn Live as a live streaming platform:
In addition to analytics for live streams, LinkedIn Live offers chat. Chat moderation tools allow you to block, report, or delete comments or viewers.
LinkedIn Live Monetization Features
LinkedIn Live doesn’t currently offer monetization features.
LinkedIn Live Pricing
This live streaming service is free to use but must be applied for before access is granted.
Periscope / Twitter Live
Twitter isn’t one of the largest social platforms on our list, but it comes with over 187 million monetizable daily active users. It’s also the choice of 13% of people who turn to a social media platform to broadcast a live stream, and that’s a big deal.
According to advertising audience data, men between 25-34 years old are the largest age group, followed by women between the ages of 18-24 years old who account for 12%.
If you’re on the fence about using Twitter Live, try to look past its status as a microblogging platform. By integrating Periscope, Twitter’s entry into live video streaming makes its 187 million-strong audience is a goldmine for savvy broadcasters.
Reasons to use Twitter Live as their live streaming platform:
Twitter Live is Periscope’s Live broadcast platform. This means you get the same features afforded to Persocope users with a Twitter skin.
You can broadcast from anywhere and on mobile or desktop (using encoders), and also share a link to your live stream to spread the word and grow your audience fast.
Live chat moderation is available and video creators can assign the responsibility to viewers. When an offensive comment is flagged, assigned moderators will be asked to class it as Abuse, Spam, Looks OK, or Not Sure.
Periscope / Twitter Live Monetization Features
Twitter offers users the opportunity to monetize live videos. To get started, you must meet Twitter’s eligibility requirements and all payments are subject to Twitter’s advertising policy.
Periscope / Twitter Live Pricing
Twitter Live is free to access for users.
TikTok Live
TikTok’s enjoyed meteoric growth. It is present in 154 countries and pulls an audience filled with younger viewers. For example, 46% of TikTok Live users are aged between 16 and 24, while 20% of TikTok Live users are students.
Reasons to use TikTok Live as a live streaming platform:
Impressive stats aside, TikTok also comes with features that make it attractive to its users. These include the ability to add filters, use a beautify feature, and accept gifts.
TikTok Live Monetization Features
Monetization is available using donations or gifts subject, both of which are subject to TikTok’s virtual items policy.
TikTok Live Pricing
Freely accessible to registered users.
Snapchat Live
Snapchat isn’t often the first live streaming app people think of when it comes to social media, but it still holds its own.
The platform draws 15% of social live viewers and has 249 million daily active users. And its user base is slightly different to similar mobile-first live-streaming platforms (think TikTok and Instagram). 30% of internet users aged 26–35 use Snapchat, followed by 18% aged between 36-45, and roughly 61% of Snapchat users are female and 38% are male.
Here are a few reasons to consider Snapchat Live as a live-streaming platform:
Snapchat’s iOS and Android apps give users filters to create more immersive experiences and also offer chat with moderation.
Snapchat Live Pricing
Live streaming on Snapchat is free to all account holders.
Twitch
Twitch is undeniably one of the fastest-growing platforms to make our list. Twitch saw 175% growth in Q2 of 2020 compared to Q1 of 2019, and Just Chatting viewership continues to rise with more than 166 million hours watched in August 2020.
While Twitch’s demographics skew at 65% male to 35% female, there’s more to the numbers that make it a smart place to set up shop.
Of the 65%/35% split, 73% of Twitch viewers fall into the under 35 age group. 41% are 16-24-year-olds, with around a third aged 25-34.
Reasons to use Twitch Live as a live video game streaming platform:
While chat with moderation is common, Twitch’s chat is likely the most popular given the use of famous emotes. Twitch streamers can also receive subs and gifts when live, and you can automate offers to your audience using bots.
Twitch Monetization Features
Unlike most other platforms on our list, Twitch offers the most monetization options. These include:
Twitch Pricing
Free to stream live for all account holders.
Facebook Gaming
Facebook Gaming launched in June 2018 and has amassed 800 million users in under 2 years. Facebook Gaming’s explosive growth is a factor of large audiences and incredible streaming hour stats.
For example, the platform saw a 210% increase in streaming hours between 2018 and 2019.
And by December 2019, Facebook Gaming accounted for 8.5% of the online gaming market.
While these are all impressive feats, Facebook Gaming didn’t stop. In April 2020, it launched a Facebook Gaming app to watch gamers stream live. 10 million+ downloads later on the Google Play store, and it’s clear that this is a platform worth paying attention to.
Reasons to use Facebook Live as your live streaming platform:
Facebook Gaming includes chat with moderation settings. It’s also a growth-focused platform, allowing you to promote your channel using paid ads and target people who don’t already like your page.
Facebook Gaming Monetization Features
Qualified streamers can unlock “Stars” which can be exchanged for real money. The current exchange rate is one cent. Additionally, you can charge subscribers (or followers) at the rate of $4.99 a month.
Facebook Gaming Pricing
Free to sign-up and start streaming for all account holders.
YouTube Gaming
YouTube Gaming went live in 2015. Since then, the platform has blossomed. Its growth includes amazing figures like an increase of 156M hours watched from Q2 to Q3 and 758 thousand concurrent viewers in Q3 2020.
To date, YouTube Gaming owns 5.5% of the online gaming market landscape.
Reasons to use YouTube Gaming as a live streaming platform:
YouTube Gaming offers all the same features you receive as a YouTuber. These include chat with moderation and access to Creator Studio where you’ll find analytics on all live videos.
YouTube Gaming Monetization Features
YouTube Gaming Live, like YouTube Live, offers the option to monetize content using ads.
These include:
YouTube Gaming Pricing
Anyone with a YouTube account can stream for free. Income earned from advertisements is subject to YouTube’s revenue-sharing policy.
Uscreen
All-in-one video monetization platform. Uscreen offers video-on-demand and live streaming functionality with powerful monetization features.
A key differentiator is that Uscreen empowers entrepreneurs by giving them more control. You control your content, the way you monetize it, and have access to customer information for smarter marketing.
This all makes it easier to build a solid brand with unlimited earning potential for an affordable monthly fee.
And Uscreen has seen some impressive results. Between January and August 2020, the platform saw the number of live stream events increase by 1468%.
Uscreen is used by entrepreneurs in various industries. Take Signature TV. It’s an online makeup education site where makeup artists from across the globe share their unique styles to help you find yours.
SoulCycle offers online spinning classes to people across the globe. Their unique “cardio parties” help people develop more confidence through a deeper connection with their bodies, minds, and souls.
Here are just some reasons to use Uscreen as your live streaming platform:
Beyond the above, Usceen is built as a complete solution for entrepreneurs wanting to leverage video. Monetization options make it possible to offer audiences alternate ways to enjoy the content. The platform’s superior encoding provides lightning-fast video. Your live stream video is recorded automatically so you can later offer it on-demand to your viewers as a product.
Uscreen also focuses on bridging the gap between non-tech-savvy and the need to get online fast. Using the website builder, you have access to a collection of ready-to-use website templates that don’t require coding knowledge to work with.
Payment gateways also integrate seamlessly so you don’t have to worry about how you’ll get paid.
Uscreen Monetization Features
Subscription, rental and pay-per-view, bundles, and lifetime access. You can also offer free trials as part of an upsell sales strategy.
Uscreen Pricing
Pricing starts at $99/mo or $49/mo (paid annually).
Wowza
Wowza offers a collection of live streaming services, including a streaming engine, live encoding solution and cloud streaming services. These solutions are designed for small businesses to large enterprises. Live videos can be embedded into applications and websites, allowing brands to configure the streaming experience and to interact with viewers in real-time.
Reasons to use Wowza as a live streaming platform:
Wowza helps brands do anything from stream live video for monitoring and surveillance to broadcasting for virtual gambling or streaming Esports. Its strengths lie in the solid infrastructure designed to take the complexities of large-scale live streaming demands and make it easy to meet.
Wowza also comes with live-to-VOD video and a set of tools to help insert ads, caption, and monetize your videos.
Wowza Live Monetization Features
Monetization allows for ad insertion and a free trial to paid content access using Wowza partner tools.
Wowza Live Pricing
Pricing starts at $149 for one month of Wowza’s managed live streaming service.
Brightcove
Brightcove is an enterprise-level live streaming video solution. They work with global brands like BBC World, Adobe, and even helped the Oscars protect movies for consideration using advanced security technology.
Brightcove, like Wowza, offers a band of solutions that support live streaming. From cloud-based streaming to the hardware infrastructure that ensures it all comes together.
Reasons to use Brightcove as their live streaming platform:
As an enterprise solution, Brightcove packs more than the features highlighted above. By artfully bundling their video streaming service, brands have the chance to think about video in a more holistic way.
For example, you don’t just broadcast a feed. You can create complete campaigns and deliver them through various channels, restrict IP addresses, and offer single sign-on.
Brightcove Monetization Features
Monetization is available through advert insertions into videos.
Brightcove Pricing
Contact Brightcove for consultation.
DaCast
DaCast provides a solution for all types of businesses
Like Uscreen, users can stream to their live streaming websites and control the branding and access to their content. It also comes with monetization features.
Reasons to use DaCast as a streaming platform:
DaCast’s live streaming features also include streaming video to all social networks and live countdowns. Streaming to all social networks helps brands draw larger audiences, while live countdowns build excitement for future live events.
DaCast Monetization Features
Monetization is available through pay-per-view, subscription, rental, or ad-based video.
DaCast Pricing
Pricing starts at $39/mo billed annually. Month-to-month fees are available on the Scale plan at $250/mo.
Vimeo Live
Vimeo’s been around for a while. They are famous for providing an online video hosting service that makes showcasing video on a site or across the web a breeze.
Their solution is flexible enough to accommodate small and large businesses. Through a combination of plans, you can gain access to their platform, however, live streaming is only available on top-tier plans.
Reasons to use Vimeo Live as their live streaming platform:
Vimeo live offers a collection of features you’d expect from a live-streaming platform. These include live chat, the ability to stream to multiple destinations, graphics and polls, and a live Q&A tool.
And if you’re looking for free video editing software, Vimeo offers Livestream Studio. It’s a downloadable app that enables switching between feeds, creating layered broadcast graphics, add pre-recorded video, and an audio mixer.
Vimeo Live Monetization Options
Vimeo allows you to monetize videos in three ways. These include subscriptions, rentals, or pay-per-view.
Vimeo Live Pricing
Vimeo’s live-streaming solution is only available on the Premium and Enterprise plans. Pricing starts at $75/mo billed annually for Premium plan users and you’ll have to contact Vimeo for their Enterprise plan.
Before you’re able to decide on the best streaming software, it would be good to go over the makings of an average live streaming setup. Some variations are permitted, but the fundamental structure is rigid, and it contains:
- An audio/video source — to provide material for the stream.
- A capture card — to connect a non-USB camera with your computer.
- An encoder — to package the input and send it to a platform, website, or network.
- A stable internet connection — to transfer data to the destination.
- A streaming service — to act as the destination and provide output.
What is live streaming encoding software?
When you turn your camera on, everything captured needs to be “packaged” in a more practical format. Generally, you want enough compression applied to the data to make it transferable via connections with reasonable upload speeds. Also, the streaming platform (Facebook, Instagram, or another one) should support the encoding method.
This process transpires in the encoder — a part of the setup acting as a liaison between the input and the output. Encoders come in two forms:
- Hardware encoders — robust devices that encode video, and they encode it predictably and reliably well. These workhorses come at a hefty price, however, and they’re a one-trick pony — encoding is all they do.
- Software encoders — programs that depend on the computer’s hardware to do the encoding. You can use some for free, do switching and scene-creation with them, and use some for multi-camera setups.
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Is hardware encoding better than software encoding?
What are the main characteristics of live streaming software to consider?
Most of the currently popular streaming software has some things in common. You would have to look very hard to find a solution with no support for H.264 encoding — arguably the most widespread video encoding standard in use today.
But there’s an awful lot that sets different solutions apart. If you’re adamant about finding the best streaming software, a surface-level look might prove useful — much more than learning how encoding actually works. So, you should be on the lookout for a couple of main characteristics, such as:
- Possible compatibility issues. Most stream ingestion happens over RTMP, or the Real Time Multimedia Protocol. You’ll be able to use most live streaming software with social networks and streaming websites. But if you’re using alternative content delivery networks, check for server ingest compatibility issues.
- Advanced or additional features. Live-streaming software comes in different tiers, with different levels of complexity and different features. You might fall in love with a solution only to learn that it generally doesn't meet your needs. It’s best to learn this early on.
- Pricing. Some streaming software is freeware. In fact, arguably the most popular solution is available for no charge at all. Keep in mind, however, that some for-pay improvements in quality can go a long way in making your live stream more appealing.
The Best Streaming Software in 2021
Good live streaming software is the software that matches most of your criteria and performs the core tasks you have for it. Great live streaming software gives you the tools to take your live streaming to a whole new level — if you’re willing to put some work and money into it.Here are a couple of the biggest players in the live streaming software market in 2021. They offer mixes of features, functionalities, and price points, and at least one of them is bound to fit your situation.
OBS Studio
The Open Broadcaster Software Studio is often the gateway software for people who are new to live streaming. You can easily see why, because it is free and compatible with a variety of platforms, you can customize it to your heart’s desire, and it works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
On the downside, the OBS Studio is open source, which means it offers no official support. There is a large and engaged community that might help you out instead, but that’s not the best solution for everyone.
Streamlabs OBS
The Streamlabs version of OBS, also known as SLOBS, looks like its mission statement was to take OBS Studio and make it easier to use. Besides accomplishing that mission, SLOBS manages to be free, offer support, and come with features that make it especially attractive to gaming streamers.
But everything’s not gravy in the SLOBS camp. For example, you can only use the streaming software on a Windows computer. You should check whether the platform you want to stream to comes with native support in SLOBS. Also, be prepared for the occasional bug.
XSplit
As you progress towards the professional, high-end live streaming software solutions, XSplit is a common steppingstone. It’s easy to use, comes in basic (free) and premium varieties, and it offers decent support and the occasional feature update. You can also use third-party apps and plugins with it.
Even though XSplit is easy to use, you will need to have some knowledge about encoding, because it doesn’t come with presets. You can forget about using it on Mac or Linux systems, and you really have to shell out for the paid version to avoid things like watermarks and locked features.
vMix
vMix is another option for the pros, although it does come with a basic, free plan. If 4k live streaming is what you’re looking for, vMix is a sound choice. Like Wirecast, it comes packed with many advanced features, it offers great support, and it’s available at several pricing points, which makes it easy to upgrade according to your needs.
If your needs, however, include live streaming from a Mac, vMix will be of no help to you — it’s only available on Windows systems. It’s a drain on system resources, which is something you’d expect from professional-grade streaming software. vMix also has the biggest price tag on this list.
What is a Live Streaming Platform?
A live streaming platform is a video hosting platform that enables users to upload and broadcast video in real-time.
Live streaming platforms are a critical component that all live video publishers must have access to when streaming content over the internet. They act as the connector between video creators and audiences. Creators use them to broadcast live videos to the masses and audiences rely on them to access live streams.
YouTube Live
YouTube is home to 2 billion monthly users from across the globe. As much as 89% of its users are from outside of the US. While 37% of millennials binge-watch the platform daily, research also shows that 51% of boomers also watch YouTube.
This makes it a boon for video content creators. There are channels on almost any subject you can imagine and people following them.
Reasons to consider using YouTube Live as your live streaming platform:
- Global reach provides you with every opportunity to build a large community
- Monetization is possible
- Access to powerful analytics on your channel’s performance will help you elevate your video and brand
- YouTube’s mobile app offers users content access on the go, helping you reach your audience wherever they are
While the most powerful features have been covered above, there are others that you don’t want to miss out on.
For example, YouTube Live comes with a highlights feature. It gives creators the chance to create an edited version of their live stream while it’s running, something that can attract more viewers looking for something to watch.
YouTube Live also offers a chat tool that powers audience engagement that can be moderated.
Lastly, Premiers (only available on Desktop) allows you to showcase videos people view together for the first time, helping creators generate more interest and excitement around new content.
YouTube Live Monetization Features
Monetizing videos is a major drawcard for YouTubers. Live video can be monetized in five ways:
- Pre-roll ads that run before the live stream and can be seen on mobile and a computer.
- Mid-roll ads show during the live stream and can be added manually during computer streams.
- Display and overlay ads appear beside or over content and are only viewable on a computer.
- Super Chat & Super Stickers are great ways if you’re just starting out but you’ll need to be a part of the YouTube partner program.
- YouTube channel membership allows you to share live streams exclusively with your channel members (in beta).
YouTube doesn’t charge a fee to use their live streaming feature, however, when monetizing live videos you will be subject to its revenue share policy.
Facebook Live
Facebook Live was launched in 2016. Since then, it’s grown into an unstoppable platform with 28% of people viewing a Facebook live stream each month.
Facebook has a global base of over 2.7 billion monthly active users and age groups range from 13 to 65+ with Millenials forming the largest group.
Reasons to use Facebook Live as their live streaming platform:
- Access to the largest social network in the world means greater reach for creators
- Video creators can broadcast live from desktop and mobile devices directly to their platform pages
- Can monetize live video
- Live video analytics offer keen insights on audience engagement
Facebook Live comes with a collection of helpful features. Each is geared towards creating exciting experiences for its users.
You can schedule a live stream using Live Producer. This allows creators to promote a future event a week in advance. You’re also able to interact with users via live chat (with comment moderation), and use native trimming features to edit previously live videos.
Facebook Live Monetization Features
Facebook offers In-Stream Ads that must be active to monetize live videos. You must meet its eligibility requirements before you can create and monetize live streams. All revenue generated from live video ads is subject to Facebook’s revenue-sharing policy.
Non-profits can use the donate feature if they qualify for the service.
Facebook Live Pricing
Facebook Live is free to use. You will need to be an account holder to access the platform and broadcast live.
Instagram Live
Instagram is more than just your favorite photo app. It captures 13% of all live stream viewers on social media today. This makes it a powerful video platform for creators and brands that want to grow.
The largest demographic group is men aged 18 to 24, and 75% of all users are within the same age range.
Statistically, that’s not all that Instagram has going on. According to the platform, 90% of all accounts follow a business account–proof that brands can dominate on this social network.
Reasons to use Instagram Live as a live streaming platform:
- Access a large global user base
- More people use the app than desktop site giving creators access to viewers on the go
- Can monetize live video
Instagram Live is a mobile device feature. With it, you can turn your smartphone or tablet into a camera and share your message with the world. This includes inviting friends to join a live stream and controlling who can message you when live.
Instagram offers a live stream chat moderation feature. It’s activated in the Comments Controls section of the app and will hide offensive comments. If you’d like, you can opt for manual control, but this may prove challenging while broadcasting live.
Instagram Live Monetization Features
Instagram Live videos can be monetized using In-Stream Ads. Ad revenue is subject to its partner monetization policy.
The platform has been hard at work to make donating to live content creators possible. Through the purchase of badges from $0.99 to $4.99, viewers can support their favorite Instagrammer and be recognized in real-time.
Instagram Live Pricing
Instagram Live is freely available to all users.
LinkedIn Live
Most would argue that LinkedIn was late to the live streaming party. But that hasn’t led to any shortage in live stream success for the professional networking platform. In February of 2020, the number of live streams grew by 158%.
Being home to a global network of professionals, LinkedIn’s demographics range from 15 year-olds to 56+ year-olds, with the 25-to-34-year age group forming the largest advertising cohort.
Reasons to use LinkedIn Live as a live streaming platform:
- LinkedIn Live videos get 7x more reactions and 24x more comments
- You’re broadcasting to an audience of professionals who are hungry to learn
- LinkedIn users have 2x more buying power than the average internet user
- Access to analytics to improve audience engagement
In addition to analytics for live streams, LinkedIn Live offers chat. Chat moderation tools allow you to block, report, or delete comments or viewers.
LinkedIn Live Monetization Features
LinkedIn Live doesn’t currently offer monetization features.
LinkedIn Live Pricing
This live streaming service is free to use but must be applied for before access is granted.
Periscope / Twitter Live
Twitter isn’t one of the largest social platforms on our list, but it comes with over 187 million monetizable daily active users. It’s also the choice of 13% of people who turn to a social media platform to broadcast a live stream, and that’s a big deal.
According to advertising audience data, men between 25-34 years old are the largest age group, followed by women between the ages of 18-24 years old who account for 12%.
If you’re on the fence about using Twitter Live, try to look past its status as a microblogging platform. By integrating Periscope, Twitter’s entry into live video streaming makes its 187 million-strong audience is a goldmine for savvy broadcasters.
Reasons to use Twitter Live as their live streaming platform:
- Access to a large daily active monetizable audience
- Twitter’s invested in live and on-demand video partnerships– proof that it is leaning into live-streaming in a big way
- Get live video analytics to improve your content
- Can monetize live video
Twitter Live is Periscope’s Live broadcast platform. This means you get the same features afforded to Persocope users with a Twitter skin.
You can broadcast from anywhere and on mobile or desktop (using encoders), and also share a link to your live stream to spread the word and grow your audience fast.
Live chat moderation is available and video creators can assign the responsibility to viewers. When an offensive comment is flagged, assigned moderators will be asked to class it as Abuse, Spam, Looks OK, or Not Sure.
Periscope / Twitter Live Monetization Features
Twitter offers users the opportunity to monetize live videos. To get started, you must meet Twitter’s eligibility requirements and all payments are subject to Twitter’s advertising policy.
Periscope / Twitter Live Pricing
Twitter Live is free to access for users.
TikTok Live
TikTok’s enjoyed meteoric growth. It is present in 154 countries and pulls an audience filled with younger viewers. For example, 46% of TikTok Live users are aged between 16 and 24, while 20% of TikTok Live users are students.
Reasons to use TikTok Live as a live streaming platform:
- Large global audience of 500 million users
- Audience loves live video and is highly engaging
- Access to live streaming analytics
Impressive stats aside, TikTok also comes with features that make it attractive to its users. These include the ability to add filters, use a beautify feature, and accept gifts.
TikTok Live Monetization Features
Monetization is available using donations or gifts subject, both of which are subject to TikTok’s virtual items policy.
TikTok Live Pricing
Freely accessible to registered users.
Snapchat Live
Snapchat isn’t often the first live streaming app people think of when it comes to social media, but it still holds its own.
The platform draws 15% of social live viewers and has 249 million daily active users. And its user base is slightly different to similar mobile-first live-streaming platforms (think TikTok and Instagram). 30% of internet users aged 26–35 use Snapchat, followed by 18% aged between 36-45, and roughly 61% of Snapchat users are female and 38% are male.
Here are a few reasons to consider Snapchat Live as a live-streaming platform:
- Large captive audience
- Users are on mobile and watch content on the go
Snapchat’s iOS and Android apps give users filters to create more immersive experiences and also offer chat with moderation.
Snapchat Live Pricing
Live streaming on Snapchat is free to all account holders.
Twitch
Twitch is undeniably one of the fastest-growing platforms to make our list. Twitch saw 175% growth in Q2 of 2020 compared to Q1 of 2019, and Just Chatting viewership continues to rise with more than 166 million hours watched in August 2020.
While Twitch’s demographics skew at 65% male to 35% female, there’s more to the numbers that make it a smart place to set up shop.
Of the 65%/35% split, 73% of Twitch viewers fall into the under 35 age group. 41% are 16-24-year-olds, with around a third aged 25-34.
Reasons to use Twitch Live as a live video game streaming platform:
- Global audience
- More than gaming- shift to Just Chatting shows interest in other niches
- Live stream analytics
- Monetization
While chat with moderation is common, Twitch’s chat is likely the most popular given the use of famous emotes. Twitch streamers can also receive subs and gifts when live, and you can automate offers to your audience using bots.
Twitch Monetization Features
Unlike most other platforms on our list, Twitch offers the most monetization options. These include:
- Subscriptions (aka Subs) and badges
- Gifted Subs
- Emotes
- Donations
- Ads
Twitch Pricing
Free to stream live for all account holders.
Facebook Gaming
Facebook Gaming launched in June 2018 and has amassed 800 million users in under 2 years. Facebook Gaming’s explosive growth is a factor of large audiences and incredible streaming hour stats.
For example, the platform saw a 210% increase in streaming hours between 2018 and 2019.
And by December 2019, Facebook Gaming accounted for 8.5% of the online gaming market.
While these are all impressive feats, Facebook Gaming didn’t stop. In April 2020, it launched a Facebook Gaming app to watch gamers stream live. 10 million+ downloads later on the Google Play store, and it’s clear that this is a platform worth paying attention to.
Reasons to use Facebook Live as your live streaming platform:
- Large captive audience and growing fast
- A dedicated mobile live streaming application for watching live streams means the audience can tune in on the go
- Monetizable
Facebook Gaming includes chat with moderation settings. It’s also a growth-focused platform, allowing you to promote your channel using paid ads and target people who don’t already like your page.
Facebook Gaming Monetization Features
Qualified streamers can unlock “Stars” which can be exchanged for real money. The current exchange rate is one cent. Additionally, you can charge subscribers (or followers) at the rate of $4.99 a month.
Facebook Gaming Pricing
Free to sign-up and start streaming for all account holders.
YouTube Gaming
YouTube Gaming went live in 2015. Since then, the platform has blossomed. Its growth includes amazing figures like an increase of 156M hours watched from Q2 to Q3 and 758 thousand concurrent viewers in Q3 2020.
To date, YouTube Gaming owns 5.5% of the online gaming market landscape.
Reasons to use YouTube Gaming as a live streaming platform:
- Large captive audience and growing fast
- Leverage YouTube platform that people love
- Access to insightful analytics
YouTube Gaming offers all the same features you receive as a YouTuber. These include chat with moderation and access to Creator Studio where you’ll find analytics on all live videos.
YouTube Gaming Monetization Features
YouTube Gaming Live, like YouTube Live, offers the option to monetize content using ads.
These include:
- Pre-roll ads that run before the live stream and can be seen on mobile and a computer.
- Mid-roll ads show during the live stream and can be added manually during computer streams.
- Display and overlay ads appear beside or over the content and are only viewable on a computer.
YouTube Gaming Pricing
Anyone with a YouTube account can stream for free. Income earned from advertisements is subject to YouTube’s revenue-sharing policy.
Uscreen
All-in-one video monetization platform. Uscreen offers video-on-demand and live streaming functionality with powerful monetization features.
A key differentiator is that Uscreen empowers entrepreneurs by giving them more control. You control your content, the way you monetize it, and have access to customer information for smarter marketing.
This all makes it easier to build a solid brand with unlimited earning potential for an affordable monthly fee.
And Uscreen has seen some impressive results. Between January and August 2020, the platform saw the number of live stream events increase by 1468%.
Uscreen is used by entrepreneurs in various industries. Take Signature TV. It’s an online makeup education site where makeup artists from across the globe share their unique styles to help you find yours.
SoulCycle offers online spinning classes to people across the globe. Their unique “cardio parties” help people develop more confidence through a deeper connection with their bodies, minds, and souls.
Here are just some reasons to use Uscreen as your live streaming platform:
- Monetization through subscriptions, rentals, and one-off video purchases
- Website customization and landing page builder
- OTT apps to share your content with users on devices they love
- Community building and engagement tools including live chat
- Strong built-in marketing and analytics features
- Go live with any RTMP-enabled live streaming software
Beyond the above, Usceen is built as a complete solution for entrepreneurs wanting to leverage video. Monetization options make it possible to offer audiences alternate ways to enjoy the content. The platform’s superior encoding provides lightning-fast video. Your live stream video is recorded automatically so you can later offer it on-demand to your viewers as a product.
Uscreen also focuses on bridging the gap between non-tech-savvy and the need to get online fast. Using the website builder, you have access to a collection of ready-to-use website templates that don’t require coding knowledge to work with.
Payment gateways also integrate seamlessly so you don’t have to worry about how you’ll get paid.
Uscreen Monetization Features
Subscription, rental and pay-per-view, bundles, and lifetime access. You can also offer free trials as part of an upsell sales strategy.
Uscreen Pricing
Pricing starts at $99/mo or $49/mo (paid annually).
Wowza
Wowza offers a collection of live streaming services, including a streaming engine, live encoding solution and cloud streaming services. These solutions are designed for small businesses to large enterprises. Live videos can be embedded into applications and websites, allowing brands to configure the streaming experience and to interact with viewers in real-time.
Reasons to use Wowza as a live streaming platform:
- Robust live streaming solutions including software and cloud-based hardware
- Analytics
- Developer tools for API integration
- Can stream to OTT devices
Wowza helps brands do anything from stream live video for monitoring and surveillance to broadcasting for virtual gambling or streaming Esports. Its strengths lie in the solid infrastructure designed to take the complexities of large-scale live streaming demands and make it easy to meet.
Wowza also comes with live-to-VOD video and a set of tools to help insert ads, caption, and monetize your videos.
Wowza Live Monetization Features
Monetization allows for ad insertion and a free trial to paid content access using Wowza partner tools.
Wowza Live Pricing
Pricing starts at $149 for one month of Wowza’s managed live streaming service.
Brightcove
Brightcove is an enterprise-level live streaming video solution. They work with global brands like BBC World, Adobe, and even helped the Oscars protect movies for consideration using advanced security technology.
Brightcove, like Wowza, offers a band of solutions that support live streaming. From cloud-based streaming to the hardware infrastructure that ensures it all comes together.
Reasons to use Brightcove as their live streaming platform:
- Software and hardware stack to empower live video streaming
- Monetization
- Video marketing suite offers analytics, and push to social
- API integrations
As an enterprise solution, Brightcove packs more than the features highlighted above. By artfully bundling their video streaming service, brands have the chance to think about video in a more holistic way.
For example, you don’t just broadcast a feed. You can create complete campaigns and deliver them through various channels, restrict IP addresses, and offer single sign-on.
Brightcove Monetization Features
Monetization is available through advert insertions into videos.
Brightcove Pricing
Contact Brightcove for consultation.
DaCast
DaCast provides a solution for all types of businesses
Like Uscreen, users can stream to their live streaming websites and control the branding and access to their content. It also comes with monetization features.
Reasons to use DaCast as a streaming platform:
- Embed live video anywhere and broadcast to OTT apps
- Monetize live streams
- Real-time analytics
DaCast’s live streaming features also include streaming video to all social networks and live countdowns. Streaming to all social networks helps brands draw larger audiences, while live countdowns build excitement for future live events.
DaCast Monetization Features
Monetization is available through pay-per-view, subscription, rental, or ad-based video.
DaCast Pricing
Pricing starts at $39/mo billed annually. Month-to-month fees are available on the Scale plan at $250/mo.
Vimeo Live
Vimeo’s been around for a while. They are famous for providing an online video hosting service that makes showcasing video on a site or across the web a breeze.
Their solution is flexible enough to accommodate small and large businesses. Through a combination of plans, you can gain access to their platform, however, live streaming is only available on top-tier plans.
Reasons to use Vimeo Live as their live streaming platform:
- Robust infrastructure
- Can broadcast to social networks
- Live video analytics
- Monetization features
Vimeo live offers a collection of features you’d expect from a live-streaming platform. These include live chat, the ability to stream to multiple destinations, graphics and polls, and a live Q&A tool.
And if you’re looking for free video editing software, Vimeo offers Livestream Studio. It’s a downloadable app that enables switching between feeds, creating layered broadcast graphics, add pre-recorded video, and an audio mixer.
Vimeo Live Monetization Options
Vimeo allows you to monetize videos in three ways. These include subscriptions, rentals, or pay-per-view.
Vimeo Live Pricing
Vimeo’s live-streaming solution is only available on the Premium and Enterprise plans. Pricing starts at $75/mo billed annually for Premium plan users and you’ll have to contact Vimeo for their Enterprise plan.
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