Vimeo vs. Brightcove: Which video platform should you choose?

What is the difference between Vimeo and Brightcove?

Vimeo provides an ideal platform for brands and businesses to showcase their high-quality video content both on their websites and across social media. Vimeo’s high-quality video player provides one of the best video sharing experiences available, accompanied by a livestream platform and a suite of video marketing, video communication, and video monetization tools.

Brightcove is a video hosting platform geared toward big-name brands that require highly customized, corporate video, media, or monetization solutions. Because Brightcove specializes in advanced integrations, some of their features require expertise to implement that may be a barrier for individuals and small businesses.

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Vimeo vs Brightcove: How do you choose a video platform for business needs?

Debating between the Vimeo video hosting platform and an enterprise video solution from Brightcove? Here’s a snapshot of each platform’s video hosting, livestream, video marketing, video communication, and video monetization features that might help you choose.

Video hosting platform comparison: Vimeo vs. Brightcove

When it comes to video hosting, a platform that supports high-quality video is a must-have for brands competing for customer attention with eye-catching video campaigns. Here’s how video hosting solutions from Vimeo and Brightcove compare and why one might be a better solution for your business.

Vimeo video hosting overview

Whether you’re looking for free video hosting or a video player with all the bells and whistles that embeds anywhere, Vimeo video hosting services has you covered, ensuring viewers experience the kind of eye candy that demands engagement. Upload a video to Vimeo and try it out!

• High-quality video. A lightning fast HTML5 video player offers 4K, 8K, HDR, and is the only video player that supports Dolby Vision on Apple devices for a superior viewing experience. Go browser-based on a desktop or watch from a mobile app.
• Built-in accessibility tools. Upload your own transcripts, search videos using relevant keywords, add automated closed captions in seven languages, and get multiple audio track support, among other features.
• Ad-free always. Your audience wants on demand video content without ads. That’s why Vimeo ensures that no matter how many times your videos get viewed, you’ll never see an ad before, during, or after it plays.
• Customize video players. Vimeo’s fully customizable player lets you tweak colors, logos, and controls to keep your branding consistent when you embed cross-platform and on other websites.
• Integrate anywhere. Whether it’s Android, iPhone, Mac, or Windows, Vimeo offers a seamless upload experience. You’ll also have the benefit of full integrations with CRM platforms and Shopify as well as iMovie, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Make sharing your videos as seamless as possible by publishing across social channels like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
• Best-in-class sound. Vimeo’s constant bitrate of 320 kbps offers a uniquely clear sound quality that makes your videos sound as dynamic as they look.

See how free video hosting on Vimeo works →

Brightcove video hosting overview

Video hosting and sharing with Brightcove is possible, with a few added benefits below.

• Branded video players. Like Vimeo, Brightcove offers a completely custom video player so you can ensure your branding sticks no matter where the video lands.
• Custom player integrations. The Brightcove player allows you to customize each video player. Although, the resulting complexity of the build can be frustrating to users.
• Video ad integrations. Brightcove offers customers the ability to monetize by running ads in front of their content for video monetization.
• Adaptive bitrate switching. Like Vimeo, Brightcove provides smooth streaming by adapting the video player to the speed of the viewer’s internet connection.

Video monetization platform comparison

Both Vimeo and Brightcove offer powerful OTT streaming solutions. Maintaining continuity and reliable support are essential when choosing a video platform. As Brightcove navigates a period of transition, Vimeo remains a steadfast partner dedicated to providing businesses with the monetization services they need to succeed with Vimeo Streaming, a powerful platform for subscription-based video content.

Vimeo Streaming overview

• Your own high-quality streaming apps. Deliver a premium viewing experience with Vimeo's high-quality video player and intuitive, customizable apps. Create a branded experience that reflects your unique identity and captivates your audience wherever they’re watching – across devices and app platforms. (Our track record speaks for itself – Dropout's tvOS app, powered by Vimeo, was a finalist for the Apple TV App of the Year!). We also offer high-quality reliable live streaming, with features like extended 24/7 live.
• Intuitive and user-friendly. Vimeo Streaming’s OTT offerings are designed with ease of use in mind, making it simple and faster to launch and manage your streaming service, even for those without technical expertise. Our focus on user experience streamlines the process, getting you up and running quickly. Plus, we provide support for you and your end users.
• Transparent and affordable pricing. We offer clear and straightforward pricing that scales with your business. No hidden fees or unexpected price hikes – just predictable costs that allow you to budget effectively.
• Revenue from viewer subscriptions. Vimeo’s streaming platform can help you to reach customers and subscribers directly, rather than trying to get the attention of a big TV network or streaming platform like Netflix. Offer premium tiers to your most loyal fans and provide them with exclusive content.
• OTT platform dedicated to innovation. Vimeo is committed to providing you with the most innovative tools to grow your audience and enhance your OTT service. Recent additions include support for LG, Vizio, and Fire Tablet; dynamic categories; native support for bumpers and sponsorships; and streamlined checkout with Stripe Connect.
• Content protection. Protect your video content with digital rights management (DRM), geo-blocking, and extensive privacy settings to prevent unwanted sharing, screen recording, and viewing in restricted locations.

Start your own streaming channel →

Brightcove OTT overview

• Enterprise-grade OTT solutions. Brightcove Beacon is their dedicated OTT platform, delivering video experiences across various devices. It supports a wide range of features and analytics options expected in an OTT platform, but product investment and support is uncertain after the company’s acquisition.   
• AVOD and monetization model options. Brightcove offers strong advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) and flexible, hybrid monetization options.
• Advanced video delivery and security features. This ensures high-quality streaming and protects your content from unauthorized access.  
• Options for live streaming and linear programming. Expand your content offerings beyond on-demand video with livestreaming and 24/7 linear channels. Brightcove also offers live digital rights management (DRM).
• Integrates with various third-party tools. Like Vimeo, integrations allow for a more customized and comprehensive data-driven approach.

Live streaming software comparison

If you’re looking for an intuitive, simplified HD streaming experience, you won’t be disappointed with livestreaming on Vimeo. Vimeo’s live streaming platform means you can launch a branded virtual event with Vimeo Venues from your browser at the push of a button or use advanced tools to mix it up in the studio with multistreams, prerecorded video, color correction, and more.

Vimeo live streaming platform overview

Livestreaming on Vimeo is a breeze thanks to the state-of-the-art Vimeo webinar platform, which includes tools to brand your stream and browser-based multistreams.

• Anyone can stream. Vimeo’s simple, web-based production tools, including the ability to go live from browser and mobile app, are a major differentiator. Vimeo also supports external encoders, which Brightcove only supports.
• HD live streaming. Vimeo’s superior video quality extends to livestreams with 1080p HD viewing experiences even for participants with limited bandwidth.
• Interactive video streams. Whether you’re running a town hall, a board meeting, or a product launch, make your stream spark connections with chats, polls, Q&A, and live links.
• Multistream securely. Stress-free streaming starts with Vimeo’s versatile platform that lets you stream simultaneously to YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn or use passwords and permission to secure a private viewing experience.
• Repurpose old video content. Get more value from your old live streams by repurposing snippets for social media, organizing video into content chapters, and creating downloadable, branded video assets.

Start streaming with Vimeo →

Brightcove live streaming overview

Brightcove’s live streaming platform runs through Brightcove Media Studio, a branded streaming experience that focuses on offering live events scaled for large audiences. Brightcove’s live streaming solution also comes with a dedicated support team of engineers on standby for the duration of the event.

• Supports 24/7 linear streaming. Brightcove’s linear streaming involves taking streams from several different feeds and editing and dispersing them from a studio or control center in real-time.
• Live interactive elements. Like Vimeo, Brightcove live streaming also offers the opportunity to use interactive features to engage the audience and monitor participation.
• Monetized livestreams. Brightcove provides options to add subscription, transaction, and advertising content so brands can easily monetize live streams.

Video marketing capabilities comparison

Turning video content into a performance-driving, revenue-earning machine is what every video marketer dreams of. Let’s take a deeper dive into the video marketing tools from Vimeo and Brightcove that make the effort to turn clicks into conversions a little easier for small businesses and global organizations alike.

Vimeo video marketing overview

Video marketing is about more than measuring the efficiency of your latest content. From video collaboration tools for your creative team to video analytics that pinpoint where your footage is falling flat and how to fix it, Vimeo marketing tools transform how you measure, report and improve video content.

• Templates on deck. Jumpstart your video content creation from any browser with Vimeo’s premade templates. You’re also free to mix in clips or sounds from our stock library or your own footage.
• Dialed-in analytics. Vimeo analytics don’t just give you a peek under the hood of video performance. They monitor return on investment (ROI) and provide valuable insight to both teams and high-level stakeholders.
• Centralized reporting. See all your video metrics and manage campaigns from a single dashboard so you can quickly spot problems and pivot to pull campaigns back on track.
• Improved workflows. Time-coded comments and consolidated feedback mean less time spent reviewing and better internal communication across teams.
• Video library management. Clear the clutter with Vimeo’s video library that creates and indexes folders and even supports keyword search thanks to auto-caption features. Additionally, teams can integrate more video-first workplace by sending asynchronous video updates or quick explainers, and centralizing institutional knowledge in a single, searchable hub with Vimeo Central.
• Marketing integrations. Got Hubspot, Marketo, Constant Contact or Salesforce? Vimeo's video marketing suite is tooled to work with most CRMs so you can generate and follow up on leads effortlessly.

Take Vimeo video marketing tools for a test drive →

Brightcove video marketing overview

Brightcove provides multiple opportunities to plug into video monetization. Their custom integrations mean Brightcove may work for big brands that have the time and money to invest in them, but the complexity of the coding may present a barrier to some businesses.

• Custom integrations. Brightcove boasts a full complement of integrations with most of the martech stack such as CRMs, social media, and platforms like Hootsuite, Eloqua, and Sitecore.
• E-commerce support. Brightcove Marketplace bridges the gap to e-commerce solutions with integrations for Shopify, Instagram, and Salesforce Sales Cloud as well as support for shoppable video content.
• Analytics dashboard. Video metrics are consolidated into a single dashboard where you can monitor and tweak campaigns as well as generate reports and see how your video performance compares to industry benchmarks.

Video communications comparison

Workplace communication doesn’t have to be emails and meetings that could have been emails. Today’s modern workforce increasingly relies on high-quality internal video communications to foster a more supportive and engaging organizational culture and increase productivity.

Vimeo video communication overview

Vimeo can help ditch your Powerpoint slides and PDF tutorials for internal video content that drives better employee communications. Advanced video privacy features also enable better security and a seamless onboarding and training experience even at a distance.

• AI-powered productivity. With Vimeo’s AI script generator and teleprompter, it’s easy to create video recordings in one take. Making an explainer video for a colleague just got easier with Vimeo AI and the recording studio.
• Improved workforce communication. Vimeo-supported video comms, screen recordings, and online events can help deliver employee experiences at scale with the capacity to inspire better collaboration and efficiency.
• Advanced video security. Use Vimeo security settings to control access to your video content with passwords, admin permissions, and the ability to monitor and lock down folders.
• Get global. Use Vimeo virtual event software and livestreams to bridge language gaps with subtitles and enable prerecorded video to spark a more productive and connected workforce.
• Video management. Put video content at your team’s fingertips with a centralized hub and searchable folders that can become a repository of organizational knowledge.
• A modern meeting room. Whether you’re gathering on Zoom or Webex, Vimeo integrations enable time-stamped comments and auto-uploaded recordings so important interactions and announcements stay accessible.
• Granular analytics. Vimeo provides information on engagement, such as view time, plus team analytics.

See Vimeo's video communications tools in action →

Brightcove video comms overview

Brightcove bills their Communication Studio as the launching pad for better corporate communication through live and on-demand video. Support for large-scale live events is a standout, but a lack of video management and collaboration tools means using Brightcove for internal video communications has some limitations.

• Live event templates. Brightcove offers a library of event templates supported by interactive elements like chat, polls, and live Q&A that encourage engagement.
• Global reach. Brightcove’s powerful streaming software means virtual town halls and other meetings can be scaled to reach millions concurrently on desktop or mobile, complemented by 24/7 live streaming support. Likewise, Vimeo not only has standby support options but also offers production services.
• Quality of experience metrics. Brightcove gathers data on key metrics to determine viewer retention and engagement and provide insight to stakeholders through generated reports.
• Auto-caption capabilities. Brightcove software helps increase accessibility and bridge language gaps with auto-captioning for virtual events, meetings, and other live and prerecorded video content.

Which video platform is best for you: Vimeo or Brightcove?

If you scrolled down looking for the scoop, you’ve come to the right place. Determining the best platform for your business depends on your organization's requirements. However, Vimeo is likely to be a better, more versatile, and more cost-effective solution for many individuals, businesses, and brands in the wake of Brightcove's uncertainty.

As a creator, you can utilize Vimeo’s tools for hosting videos, the text-based editor, timeline editing suite, graphics tools, and the image-to-video converter.

Start your streaming service today →