To say that the global video-on-demand (VoD) market is booming would be an understatement. From $53 billion in 2019, it is projected to reach $159 billion by 2027, growing at an astounding CAGR of 14.8%, according to a report by Fortune Business Insights.
The catch-all term for the next generation of entertainment, VoD services allow audiences to access content (music, movies, sports, news, education, and even TV programs) at their own pace and on their device of choice. And this flexibility is much appreciated — on-demand viewing is up 155% year-over-year.
Growth of live and VoD viewing
Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video are all stellar examples of top VoD platforms. Netflix alone boasts of 208 million subscribers. With that, many households have more than one streaming services subscription, which is good news for those who decided to join the VoD party.
Custom-built or ready-to-go?
A lot goes into building a successful VoD strategy. One of the first — and most important — decisions is to choose your VoD hosting solution as it is the foundation of any VoD business. Free platforms like YouTube and Twitch are great for vloggers but if you need security, scalability, and monetization features, these consumer-grade solutions won’t fit the bill.
Custom-built VoD solutions, on the other hand, can give you all that and more. Built from the ground up, these VoD platforms are tailored to meet your unique business requirements, whether it is massive scalability, next-gen personalization, or advanced monetization opportunities.
How we can help
Online video is our forte. We leverage our experience with the market’s leading OVP vendors, such as Kaltura, Ooyala, and Brightcove to build highly scalable VoD solutions that deliver TV-like viewing experiences to global audiences. From transcoding and video management to protection and distribution, we take care of the entire VoD workflow so you can focus on growing your business.
Another option is to choose a ready-made VoD platform. As there is no shortage of these platforms on the market today, here’s an overview of the most popular options with their pros and cons.
Best VoD platforms
1. Kaltura
Founded in 2006, Kaltura offers a range of video-related services and products for media, telecom, and education domains. One of Kaltura’s main offerings, the Video Platform as a Service (VPaaS) is built around a set of comprehensive APIs and mobile SDKs, allowing broadcasters to create their own video workflows.
Features
- Extensibility and customization options
- Video content management
- Video editing tools
- Billing and reporting
- Advanced video analytics
Limitations
- Degree of complexity that might not be a good fit for the average user
- Not all settings are easily customized
- Pricing plans that are time-consuming to calculate
2. Brightcove
Brightcove is a global leader in video business, serving the broadcasters’ needs since 2004. Its high-end video platform comes fully loaded with tools for medium and large-size media companies to host on-demand videos and stream live events.
Features
- Multi-bitrate video player
- Video library management with support for batch editing
- Context-aware encoding
- Server-side ad insertion and ad servers integration
- Security features (watermarking, geographic, IP, and domain restrictions)
Limitations
- Video player customization requires the knowledge of special language BEML (Brightcove Experience Markup Language)
- Limited reporting capabilities
- Slow ticket-based responses
- Hefty price tag
3. Wowza
Wowza, another major player on the video streaming landscape, offers flexible and fully customizable media server software called Wowza Streaming Engine. The white-label video player allows broadcasters and media companies to deliver branded viewing experiences at scale.
Features
- Cloud-based transcoding
- Adaptive bitrate streaming
- Server-side playlist functionality
- Built-in DRM package
Limitations
- No support for video monetization
- Lack of video analytics tools
4. Dacast
Dacast is a cloud-based video streaming platform popular among broadcasters and media companies. This highly flexible solution offers all essential features while full API access enables companies to create customized workflows or add unique features.
Features
- Customizable HTML5 video player
- Akamai CDN for global distribution
- Content management with categories, subcategories, and tags
- Paywall integration
- White label capabilities
5. Muvi
Muvi is an all-in-one OTT platform that allows content owners to launch multi-screen VoD solutions in a hassle-free way. It comes with visual editors and built-in templates (although limited) that enable organizations to customize their video services. The platform leverages AWS and Cloudflare CDN for global content delivery.
Features
- HTML5-based online video player
- Comprehensive video CMS
- Rich monetization options (SVOD, TVOD, AVOD)
- Built-in SSL secure paywall
- Watermarking and Studio-Approved DRM
Limitations
- Mobile apps are offered as add-ons for additional charge
- Limited integration capabilities
- No visual theme editor
6. IBM Video Streaming
A multinational tech corporation, IBM offers a comprehensive cloud-based online video platform that covers all video needs from transcoding to multi-platform playout. One of the main selling points is closed captioning capabilities powered by Watson, a self-learning assistant.
Features
- HD live broadcasting
- Built-in multi-CDN support
- Customizable channel page
- Mobile compatible player
- Live playlists with looping
Limitations
- Bulk upload not supported
- No SSL secure paywall built-in
7. Uscreen
One of the popular VoD service providers, Uscreen is an all-in-one video platform that enables media businesses to stream their content safely and globally. This SaaS solution has an intuitive interface that is easy to use even for users with little technical expertise.
Features
- A visual editor with pre-built templates
- Comprehensive video CMS with categories, tags, and custom filters
- Rich analytics
- Monetization options (subscriptions, rentals, one-time purchases)
- Built-in marketing and automation tools
Limitations
- No support for AVOD monetization model
8. Setplex
Setplex offers a flexible OTT/IPTV solution with the focus on delivering great UX/UI across platforms and devices. Deployed on-premise or in the cloud, the platform is managed from a unified dashboard, offering full control over workflows from ingestion to playout.
Features
- Support for AVOD, SVOD, TVOD monetization
- Advanced interactive features (catchup, EPG, network DVR)
- Multi-level content protection
- Real-time analytics
- Multi-CDN setups
Limitations
- Limited app customization
- Basic recommendation engine
9. Vidizmo
Vidizmo’s on-demand video streaming and hosting platform is called EnterpriseTube. This YouTube-like video portal comes with a highly customizable video player compatible with almost all devices. In addition to standard functionality, Vidizmo includes interactivity options like editable transcripts, multilingual captions, frame-by-frame video seeking, and more.
Features
- Flexible deployment (on-prem, cloud, hybrid)
- Enterprise-grade video CMS
- Role-based access and user groups
- FIPS 140-2 compliant end-to-end encryption
- Integration with Google Analytics and Woopra
Limitations
- Limited remote support options
10. Vplayed
CONTUS Vplayed is a ready-made white label VoD solution designed for broadcasters, TV channels, production houses, and more. Built on AWS, the highly scalable platform ensures reliable VoD hosting while supporting video databases, user management workflows, and analytical workloads.
Features
- Video CMS capabilities (drag-and-drop, video scheduling, etc.)
- Multi-CDN setup for global delivery
- Social media integration
- Multi-DRM support and access control
- 6+monetization models
We have discussed top 10 VoD platform providers but the list can easily go on. Given this variety of VoD offerings on the market, choosing the right one may not be a straightforward process.
Factors to consider when choosing a VoD service provider
Depending on a VoD project at hand, your priorities can also vary from highly customizable video player to industry-specific integrations to even the price tag. But as the rule of thumb, a VoD platform needs to provide the following functionality to ensure a competitive edge for a media business:
- Infrastructure
The backbone of a video streaming platform, infrastructure is the most important factor to look at. A robust infrastructure with multi-CDN setup is needed to ensure reliable video delivery to global audiences.
- Supported devices
With viewers scattered across web, mobile, and TV, you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to maximize your reach. Check if a VoD solution is compatible with all major platforms and devices, including connected TVs and set-top boxes.
- Video content protection
It goes without saying that a VoD platform needs to be equipped with robust security features to protect your content from piracy and infringement, and your users — from data breaches. Look for a solution with support for DRM and dynamic watermarks, as well as other safeguards like encryption, single sign-on, access management, and more.
- Full customization
Customizable video player, pre-built themes and templates, features modification — the more customization your VoD platform allows, the better you can meet your niche VoD streaming needs and deliver branded viewing experiences. The ability to integrate with third-party systems is also very welcome.
- Monetization options
To maximize revenue potential, choose a VoD platform that supports multiple monetization opportunities like SVOD, AVOD, PPV, etc. And since your audiences may come from different countries, make sure your online video platform supports most common payment gateways.
- Analytics
Delivering media content to global audiences across a range of devices requires continuous monitoring and analytics to make sure your platform runs at its best. And in-depth insights into content performance and viewing behaviors go a long way towards improving personalization and boosting engagement.
When custom-built solutions are the way to go
There are cases when ready-made solutions just won’t cut it. Even the best VoD platforms can come with limited or half-baked features while others appear to be excessively complex or lack customization opportunities. Then, there can be unexpected costs once you start using the platform and growing your customer base.
Custom approach can be the right choice for those who need a fully tailored VoD solution — and have full control over it. Built from scratch, your VoD platform will have a unique brand look and feel while supporting all the features you and your viewers need.
Case in point: building a custom VoD platform for Vodafone
To drive the client’s on-demand entertainment strategy, Oxagile developed a user-focused VoD solution featuring content management functionality, advanced search, rich advertising capabilities, and more. With the new refined UI, the platform delivers equally compelling user experience on desktop and mobile, allowing the client to significantly increase its market reach.
The choice is yours
In the era of cord cutting, the VoD market has emerged as a successful revenue generator for content providers and media companies across the world.
If you decide to launch a VoD service, there are a lot of VoD hosting platforms on the market today. Built for different areas of application, they all come with their own strengths and limitations. So, take your time to do your market research and compare available VoD offerings. If nothing matches your unique VoD project needs 100%, it would be a wise idea to invest in development of a custom VoD platform tailored to your specifications. This way, you don’t have to compromise on branded UI, scalable architecture, or a set of features.
