Top 8 enterprise video hosting platforms: a comprehensive comparison  

Nowadays, most companies and organizations will tell you that video plays an important role in their day-to-day business. Similarly, enterprise video hosting can be a key part of using video to meet business objectives. In this post, we’ll give an overview of video hosting platforms, key features, and how they benefit you. If you need an introduction to enterprise video hosting platforms or want to know which products are outstanding in the field, read on!

 

 

What is enterprise video hosting?

Enterprise video hosting platforms are typically software as a service (or possibly “platform as a service”) designed to provide video hosting services to businesses. The video hosting platform allows companies to upload and store their content and is equipped to handle technical aspects of video such as encoding, streaming optimization, and resizing footage. Similarly, platform features frequently assist content management and distribution over the internet.

 

 

Why enterprise video hosting is crucial for modern businesses

Since most businesses use video as part of their marketing, communications, or content strategy, having the right tools is key. Enterprise platforms are created with the needs of business in mind and should offer a variety of mission-critical features for business use. Chief among these are features for customization, scalability and content management, live streaming, and tools for detailed analytics and SEO. We’ll outline these in more detail below, but first, we’ll contrast the more familiar option for online video–consumer hosting platforms.

 

While anyone can sign up to use them, platforms created for consumer use typically lack many of these vital business features. Consumer video platforms provide a lower-quality service in comparison to paid enterprise hosting. While it’s possible to accumulate enough viewers and subscribers to monetize content on a consumer platform without spending any money, there are several drawbacks. Security on your videos won’t be as rigorous as with enterprise video hosting. Further, free hosting is likely to place ads alongside your content promoting unrelated products, or even competitors, and your options for unique branding and customization will be sharply limited.

 

 

Key features of enterprise video hosting platforms

While not every single enterprise video hosting platform can have every single useful feature (although some products make a valiant effort), there are several important features you should look for in any high-quality video platform. Be aware of trade-offs you make between one capability and another; the platform you choose should closely match your usage needs.

Enterprise video platforms have four core functions worth your time and money. Be sure any platform you adopt can perform in these areas:

 

1. Video uploading and recording: A video platform should enable to record and publish videos. Enterprise platforms should also offer the ability to tag videos and perform some editing.
2. Content management: This includes storing and displaying videos, search capabilities, and possibly APIs for integration with other tools.
3. Video streaming: Similar to uploading and recording, this is essential. At enterprise level, it’s also key to be able to broadcast to a number of users, deliver content on multiple devices (this can also tie in with content management), and connect with video conferencing systems.
4. Content analytics: Particularly if your content is outward-facing, data and analytical features allow you to analyze video content as well as user behavior for actionable insights.

 

However, specifics of the platform’s implementation can vary, so some other features to keep in mind are:

 

Scalability

How well does the platform handle multiple video requests without errors, and can it scale up or down to fit your usage?

 

Server and CDN

As we’ll note below, content delivery networks (CDN) are essential in the availability of your videos to stream around the globe.

 

Dashboard for video management

This is a feature of note particularly to CMS; you might not appreciate a good dashboard and backend user experience until you’ve experienced the difficulties of a bad one.

 

Video APIs

As noted above, APIs are useful for tool integrations and also can provide options for developing plugins and other helpful customizations.

 

Security and privacy features

One of the first and foremost reasons to rely on paid hosting is being able to secure your content, whether it’s blocking confidential information from being shared publicly on the internet or using encrypted streaming and watermarking to prevent “repurposing” of your exclusive content.

 

Video encoding & transcoding

Tied in with the larger function of uploading and recording, encoding and transcoding ensure you won’t need to do a lot of complicated video formatting beforehand as the platform can handle it for you.

 

DRM Support

This can be under the umbrella of “security”: digital rights management protects copyrighted content from illegal distribution and modification. DRM interacts with a license server to ensure unauthorized users can’t access your content.

 

Monetization tools

There are many ways to monetize videos from ad-based monetization to transaction-based video on demand. The means you use to monetize depends on your business model, however, make sure the option you prefer is available.

 

HTML5 player

There are other options for video players, but the HTML5 player is popular with broadcasters for being easy to customize and compatible with most devices.

 

 

Top 8 enterprise video hosting platforms in 2024

With these features in mind, here is the cream of the current crop: 8 professional quality enterprise video hosting solutions and notes on their business features and selling points.

 

Kaltura

Kaltura’s enterprise video hosting platform was designed to be the most versatile solution in the marketplace (if we do say so ourselves). Whether you’re looking for smaller-scale tools facilitating content engagement or a full-production live broadcast, Kaltura can be a viable platform.

 

Kaltura solutions can be applied to any use case. The company’s mission is to facilitate any type of video or online event of any size, accessible from anywhere in the world, built on a foundation of best-in-class streaming video.

 

Among a suite of pro-grade features, there are strong security and privacy tools, data and video analytics, and a customizable player. Kaltura is additionally open-source and has a user community that crafts custom plugins, integrations, and other content.

 

Vimeo

Vimeo was initially known as a consumer-based platform for creators, however they subsequently expanded into professional-grade business hosting. Vimeo offers an ad-free hosting platform that includes subscription tiers for enterprise and small business hosting and creative professionals.

 

Their primary focus is delivering HD video on demand over a range of devices. However, there are also live-streaming options. Features include video creation, transcoding, and editing tools, screen recording, a licensed stock footage library, and a user-friendly and professional-looking interface and user experience.

 

Brightcove

Brightcove is a business-oriented hosting platform that offers enterprise service. Over its long lifespan as a platform, it’s also developed good features.

 

Brightcove is oriented around broadcasting and live streaming features and is generally geared towards business in the fields of media, entertainment, and sports. It can deliver live streams to global audiences, create a streaming “TV channel,” and support strong features such as cloud video hosting, adaptive streaming on its video player, customization and media management, video monetization tools, and more.

 

Microsoft Stream/SharePoint

Microsoft Stream is an interesting case: previously an individual product bundled in Microsoft 365, it’s currently being incorporated into Microsoft SharePoint.

 

It’s already reported that several capabilities have been discontinued in its deprecation process, such as no option to manually upload a transcript or closed caption file, no pre-encoding enabling ready playback for large video files, and removal of the ability to add quizzes or forms to videos.

 

One downside to using Microsoft Stream is its interdependence with Microsoft 365. This product would only be ideal for users of Microsoft’s app suite. Nonetheless, it’s a recognized product from a recognized company worth acknowledging here.

 

Dacast

Dacast provides “comprehensive live streaming and online video hosting solutions,” enabling users to embed videos on their site while maintaining control of their content. Notably, it is also one of the few American enterprise video hosting platforms accessible in China.

 

Dacast was built with an eye to broadcasters from enterprises, schools, and professional organizations. In addition to a global content delivery network (CDN) Dacast offers several reliable, professional features including adaptive bitrate streaming with cloud transcoding capabilities, private video hosting, and a variety of monetization services.

 

They offer a three-tiered pricing system for standard monthly usage, plus a “Custom solution” tier.

 

JW Player

JW Player is a seasoned player (pun intended?) in live streaming and hosting, starting as an open-source video player that’s a technical predecessor of the player used for YouTube. Over a long life in the industry, JW Player has grown into a full enterprise video hosting platform that’s suitable for many business use cases, supporting live streaming, video hosting, and delivery services.

 

Other advanced features include a global CDN, OTT support, AI content matching, and in-depth analytics. Some limitations to be aware of are that minimal security features are included with lower-priced plans and that only ad-based monetization is supported. JW Player is considered to be more suitable for small to medium-sized businesses, although it could potentially be used by larger organizations.

 

VidYard

Vidyard is an enterprise video hosting platform geared towards business video streaming with a focus on marketing and corporate communications. It has comprehensive, pro-quality broadcasting features and a decent toolset for marketing that supports SEO, email, analytics, and reporting.

 

Vidyard is also known for integrating easily with well-known sales tools. Its overall utility is in creating and distributing personalized video at all points of a sales cycle, turning viewers into customers (when content is outward-facing), increasing leads, and accelerating a sales pipeline.

 

IBM Cloud Video

In contrast to some of the other products noted here, IBM Cloud Video is a business video solution suited best to large businesses and corporations. IBM acquired the Ustream service in 2016, building out a large-scale platform for enterprise video hosting that’s suitable for end-to-end streaming, including live and on-demand content.

 

As a long-established brand in the technology industry, IBM has put together a quality set of features, including an emphasis on security and protection of content, extensive branding options, several monetization models, and strong analytics features. However, as the platform is intended for large organizations first and foremost, its pricing is also on the high side.

 

 

Choosing the best enterprise video hosting solution

Whichever enterprise video hosting platform you opt to go with, make sure it can meet your business or organization’s needs and leave some space for your video operation to grow over time. Whatever you decide, it should include adequate security for your users and your content and include the “must have” features that apply to your content sharing.

 

 

Meet Kaltura for enterprise video hosting

We’ll nonetheless recommend Kaltura as your best option for a one-stop-shop, end-to-end EVP that will cover all your enterprise video needs!

 

Our enterprise video solution, Kaltura Video Portal, is equipped for a wide range of media needs and end-to-end video content management, including editing, enrichment, and distribution, as well as industry-grade security and comprehensive video analytics. Whatever your use case or features checklist, Kaltura provides a customizable solution for every enterprise video need across any industry.

 

If you’d like to test the waters before you dive in, you’re also welcome to take a free trial or schedule a demo, and we’ll be happy to show you why we consider Kaltura Video Portal to be the best all-around enterprise platform for business. Sharing and managing video communication and content has never been easier.

 

 

FAQs:

Are enterprise video hosting platforms secure?

Generally, yes! As mentioned above, one of the key reasons making it worthwhile to employ an enterprise video hosting platform is a more comprehensive suite of security features. However, it’s worth understanding what kind of security is most important to you and exploring the features of any specific platform you’re looking to engage. Remember if a platform doesn’t hit at least baseline security features for enterprise use, then it’s not going to be a good platform for you (and may not in fact be a good platform).

 

Can enterprise video hosting platforms integrate with existing corporate tools?

Yes, however, the capacity will vary by platform. Make sure you get a firm grasp of whether a platform will be usefully integrated with business apps and software you’re already using before you buy or subscribe.

 

How do enterprise video hosting platforms handle large-scale live-streaming events?

Many enterprise video hosting platforms have features for large-scale streaming, or at least options to scale up, however the actual capacity can vary. In general an enterprise video hosting platform should support live streaming, however large-scale events may not be supported or might only be supported at higher price tiers. As with many features, understand your needs and check that any individual solution will be able to adequately fill them.

 

Can I migrate my existing video content to an enterprise video hosting platform?

This capability can depend on your platform–this is a particular place where it’s worthwhile to note a platform’s capability for integrations and ask questions in advance. Many enterprise-quality platforms have specific integrations with commercial video platforms or hosting services, or other features supporting content migration. In other instances you may have to do it “the long way” and re-upload your content from storage media. (Assuming the content is available!) If content migration is a major priority for you, definitely check in advance whether the enterprise video hosting platform you’re thinking of transitioning to offers adequate support.

 

 

Conclusion

We hope that this run-down of key solutions in enterprise video hosting helps you understand the importance of business hosting, and equips you to make your own choices about what video hosting product is the best for your own use case. While any of these hosting platforms could prove a good quality video tool for your business or organization, the “best” video platform is the one that most closely matches the needs of your individual video content strategy. Even the best video hosting platforms aren’t always one-size-fits-all, so seek out the product that ticks the most boxes next to features you most want!