
Traditional cable TV is dead, and over-the-top (OTT) networks are in.
What is OTT? It’s just a fancy way of describing media content delivered over the internet instead of through traditional cable, satellite, or broadcast television. You know the big ones—Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Paramount Plus.
In the last few years, more creators are choosing to start their own video channels that are hosted on OTT platforms independently. In fact, OTT market share is expected to top $1 trillion dollars by the end of the decade. Thanks to this growth, many OTT platforms are becoming more accessible than ever.
So you’ve decided you’re going to reach out directly to your customers and subscribers, rather than hoping to get picked up by a network or large streaming platform. The big question now is—which OTT platform is best to migrate or start your own streaming business?
While every platform is unique, some features are crucial to creating and streaming quality customer content. Making sure you can monetize your content, track performance, and customize the platform to fit your brand's website are all boxes that you should check before considering investing in a video streaming platform.
This guide will take a look at the 10 best OTT platforms for content creators and tell you everything you need to know, from features to pricing and integrations.
What is an OTT Platform?
An over-the-top (OTT) platform is a form of media distribution that uses the internet to stream content to an audience, essentially bypassing traditional methods like cable or satellite television.
The phrase itself refers to devices that go "over" the cable box or television to access video and audio content. Content creators can use OTT to stream video from an app or website, and typically users will have to pay to access the content on either a pay-per-view or subscription (on-demand) basis.
OTT "channels" or "networks" are what’s built on top of OTT platforms. These are the brands that viewers recognize and subscribe to, like Amazon Prime Video. They curate content, create their own shows, and manage their subscriber base. OTT "apps" are the software applications that viewers use to access OTT video channels. These apps can be installed on a variety of devices, including smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku, and iPhones or other smartphones.
While more major players are entering the “streaming wars” with the likes of CBS All Access, HBO MAX, and Peacock, consumers are taking interest in smaller players, too. There is nothing stopping you from creating your own OTT channel or OTT app. With the right OTT platform, you create your own app or even live stream.
The demand for OTT platforms
Look at the numbers, and it's clear—a growing number of people are making the jump from traditional television to OTT streaming.
In the US, the number of OTT subscribers stands at 88% of consumers, compared to the 44% who have a paid cable TV subscription.
Adding to this is the rise of Smart TVs and the ability to stream content on-demand from the convenience of your couch. Today, OTT has grown to 3x its market size compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2024, consumer spending on OTT services increased 22%, and content creators are pulling in more than half of their revenue from paid advertisements.
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OTT monetization models: a breakdown
Many OTT platforms typically have multiple monetization options for your video content, but you should still check which methods are offered through the OTT service or platform you’re considering. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common OTT monetization models:
- Subscription-based video on demand (SVOD): Audiences pay a recurring fee for access to a library of content. These are typically monthly or yearly fees, though some platforms also allow for seasonal pricing.
- Advertising-based video on demand (AVOD): Content is free for users. Creators generate revenue through ads that are played before, during, and/or after the videos.
- Transactional video on demand (TVOD): Users pay for access to individual videos by renting or purchasing specific content. Renting provides access to users for a limited amount of time—48 hours, for example—whereas purchasing gives users permanent access to the content.
- Pay-per-view (PPV): Like TVOD, PPV lets users pay a one-time fee to view content. The key distinction is that pay-per-view is typically used for live events, such as sporting events or concerts, where users pay to watch a show or program at a specific time and generally can’t watch it after it has aired.
- Crowdfunding and donations: Another option is to monetize your videos by appealing to your community to give you money through crowdfunding or donations.
- Hybrid monetization models: A mix of subscription-based (SVOD), ad-supported (AVOD), and rental or purchased content (TVOD).
- Membership: The membership monetization model is similar to SVOD but with the added benefit of access to an exclusive community where they can engage with the creator and other members. Sometimes, there are multiple membership levels, and the higher-cost tiers include access to additional features or different content types.
- Freemium model: Some models offer free access to certain content to users and a paywall for advanced features or exclusive content (premium tier).
OTT platforms even offer varying pricing options like pay-per-view bundles, add-on channel packages, pre-orders, group pricing, etc., along with other discount and promotional options.
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How to choose the right OTT platform for you
When evaluating an OTT platform, you should be looking for an all-inclusive video monetization tool. For instance, Vimeo's OTT platform includes features necessary to build your video business from start to finish, including:
- Dedicated support: Enterprise clients have access to a dedicated account manager, technical project manager (TPM), and solutions engineer.
- Comprehensive onboarding: We help you navigate the nuances of app submissions, along with setting up a developer account on app platforms and providing proof of license compliance.
- In-house experts: Transparency is key. All work is done by Vimeo’s in-house team dedicated to serving all your business needs.
And if you want a platform that'll act as a foundation for sustained growth, also make sure it offers:
- Scalability: The ability to handle an to handle all of your content and monetization needs and can grow alongside and ahead of your needs.
- Stability: Don't be blindsided by your scrappy, early-stage OTT platform suddenly going out of business and leaving you without a channel. Choose a well-established, financially sound company.
There are other things you’ll also want to look for, such as:
- Control and ownership of your content: Look into how the platform handles content rights and licensing. You want to maintain ownership and control over your content, with the ability to manage rights, distribution, and pricing however you prefer.
- Digital rights management (DRM): DRM protects your content from unauthorized access and piracy.
- Security: Look for an OTT platform with robust security features, including encryption and geo-restrictions.
- Customization and branding options: Your OTT space should reflect your brand, with your logo, color scheme, etc. Choose an OTT platform that offers extensive customization and, ideally, white-label options, allowing you to present your content under your brand name rather than the platform’s name.
- Analytics and reporting: Detailed analytics help you understand your viewers’ behavior and engagement. Analytics can also provide insights into your revenue streams so you can refine your content and monetization methods to meet the needs of your audience.
- High-quality streaming: The best OTT platforms support high-quality video streaming (4K, HD, etc.) with adaptive bitrate technology, which delivers the best quality video possible based on the viewer’s network conditions.
- Monetization options: You want the flexibility to earn revenue in different ways, so look for an OTT platform that supports different monetization models like SVOD, TVOD, and AVOD.
- User experience: The ideal OTT platform should be easy for you to use, but don’t forget about your viewers’ experience. Easy navigation, accessibility features, and a high-quality viewing experience across devices—TV, mobile, web—are vital.
- Interactive capabilities: Features like live chat, polling, quizzes, and shoppable links make your videos more interactive, keeping your viewers engaged.
Let's take a look at the 10 best OTT platforms to start a streaming business this year.
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The best OTT & streaming platforms: A side-by-side comparison
We’ve broken down the main features of some of the top OTT platforms in the comparison chart below for a quick overview of how they stack up.
Feature | Vimeo OTT | Brightcove | Uscreen | Dacast | Kaltura | Muvi |
Cost | $1 per subscriber, and custom Enterprise pricing | Enterprise only (must contact sales for pricing information) | Growth: $149/ mo App Essentials: $449/mo Build Your Own: Custom pricing | Starter: $39/ mo Event: $63/mo Scale: $165/mo Custom pricing for high volume needs | Custom pricing available | Muvi One: Standard: $339/ mo Professional: $1274/ mo Enterprise: $3315/ mo Custom pricing for Ultimate plans And more |
Video quality | Live streams: 720p or 1080p 4K HDR (up to 8K) | 4K HD | Live streams: Up to 1080p/2K | 1080p | 4K HD | Up to 2K (Muvi Live Standard plan) Up to 4K (Muvi Live Professional & Enterprise plans) |
Monetization capabilities | SVOD (subscription video on demand) PPV (pay-per-view) and TVOD (transactional video on demand) AVOD (advertising video on demand) Membership subscription tier (coming soon) FVOD with ads and SVOD options (hybrid/ multi-tier subscription) In-apps purchase (SVOD + TVOD) | AVOD SVOD TVOD Any combination of the three | SVOD PPV TVOD Hybrid / multi-tier subscription Membership subscription tier In-apps purchase (SVOD only) | AVOD SVOD PPV | The following monetization options are available: Bumper VAST DoubleClick FreeWheel Skip Button Skip Notice Notice Message SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD via integrations | SVOD TVOD/PPPV AVOD Crowdfunding & donations |
Branded mobile apps | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
Branded TV apps | Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV and Tablet, Samsung, LG, Vizio | Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Apple TV+, Samsung, Amazon Fire TV, LG | Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung (new) | Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV | Samsung, LG, Google TV | Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Samsung, Amazon Fire TV, LG, Vewd TV (TV apps require a Muvi One Professional or higher plan) |
DRM (Digital Rights Management) | Yes | Yes | Upcoming | Yes (Scale plan and higher) | Yes (additional license required) | Yes |
Email list building | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Customizable landing page | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Customizable checkout page | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ability to offer promotions and discounts to subscribers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pre-recorded live events | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Multi-camstreaming | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Customizable, embeddable video player | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Live audience interaction tools | Q&A Live chat Polls Clickable links CTAs | Polls Quizzes Chat CTAs Clickable links Shopping carts | Live chat Countdowns Real-time interactions Community features including Community polls, Community Challenges, public and private channels | Live chat | 1:1 chat Group chat Q&A Crowd reactions Polls, votes, and rating bars Notifications Bring attendees to stage | Live chat Polls Quizzes Q&A sessions Ratings and reviews Members-only virtual hangouts |
Maximum live stream length | Live broadcast: Extended streaming enabling 24/7 live (Enterprise) Webinar: 12 hours | Unlimited DVR Window limited to 24 hours | Growth plan: Up to 1 hour Pro plan: Up to 10 hours Plus plan: 30+ hours | Unlimited | 24 hours | Unlimited (on paid plans) 15 minutes on free trial |
Analytics dashboard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
AI tools | AI video translations AI-generated video titles, summaries, chapters, and video highlights Auto-generated captions Ask a video a question Text-based video editor AI script generator | Auto-generated tags and descriptions Auto-generated highlight reels and clips AI-powered personalization AI translations and voice dubbing | AI-based voice audio translations (via Papercup, a third-party integration) AI-generated captions and subtitles Community AI Assistant to auto-generate titles and post content in the Community | Cloud transcoding services that enable adaptive bitrate streaming | Real-time translation AI user- controlled chat Multi-language dubbing Highlighting and chaptering AI-powered content curation | AI-powered content recommendations (Alie required) |
Tax management | Yes - Vimeo collects taxes on your behalf and remits them to the appropriate authorities | No - You are responsible for managing and paying your own sales tax | No - You are responsible for managing and paying your own sales tax | No - You are responsible for managing and paying your own sales tax | No - You are responsible for managing and paying your own sales tax | No - You are responsible for managing and paying your own sales tax |
The 10 Best OTT Streaming Services
1. Vimeo OTT
Vimeo is one of the first OTT platforms on the market, having launched in 2004. Vimeo OTT customers include business professionals, Internet celebrities, creative teams, and nonprofit organizations.
With over 8 million end users, Vimeo is perfect for content creators who want an easy-to-use platform to stream videos to consumers.
Vimeo's most exciting features include:
- Ease of use: You don’t have to hire a developer or support staff to create, launch, and stream content on Vimeo's OTT platform. With our batch upload feature, you can batch upload videos from cloud storage platforms in seconds.
- Monetization: Earn revenue from live streaming, subscription sales, and pay-per-view events
- Video API: Customize your video content management system with Vimeo's API
- Content delivery: Use the internal server network to take advantage of global content delivery and adaptive bitrate streaming
- Branded mobile and TV apps: Enterprise users can create white-labeled streaming apps for mobile (iOS, Android) and TV (Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV and Tablet, Samsung, LG, Vizio) to extend brand visibility
- Tax management: Vimeo collects taxes on your behalf and remits them to the appropriate national and global tax authorities so you can focus on your content
- Support for your subscribers: Vimeo OTT Enterprise users don’t have to worry about resolving viewers’ technical issues because Vimeo provides dedicated support for you and your customers — so you can focus all your time on content creation
The Vimeo OTT platform also allows live streaming at 1080p. You can live stream videos on your Vimeo OTT channel or app and simultaneously live-stream to other platforms such as Facebook Live, YouTube, Patreon, and more.
Once the video is ready, you can use Vimeo to compress it to speed up loading times before adding titles and descriptions and customizing the thumbnail. Then, you can stream it to users in 4K Ultra HD to continue monetizing your content.
Enterprise users can get more brand visibility with branded, white-label apps on a variety of platforms, including iOS and Android mobile devices—plus AppleTV, AndroidTV, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV and Tablet, and Samsung TV.
Unlike some of the other OTT platforms on our list, you don't need to know how to code or hire a tech team to help handle the platform—Vimeo does all the heavy lifting for you. In fact, we even provide dedicated support to your subscribers if you’re on a Vimeo OTT Enterprise plan. We even take care of paying your taxes for you—in other words, we handle all the tedious, time-consuming tasks, freeing you up to spend all your time creating engaging content.
Pros
- Upload content from cloud databases like Google Drive, Dropbox, and FYP
- Monetize content using integrated paywalls and subscription plans
- Customize the platform to match your brand's logos, colors and style
- Embed live polls, audience chat, and Q&A into live streams
- Powerful CMS to upload content from anywhere (including from a mobile device or cloud storage) that lets you upload videos from any device or cloud storage
- Digital rights management to protect your content
- Enterprise users get dedicated support for their customers from Vimeo—and we handle paying your taxes, too
- Inbuilt API and SDK allow content creators to stream video to users' mobile devices
Cons
- Offers a suite of free video tools that may not be needed for all businesses
- Some advanced features may only be available on higher-tier paid plans
Dropbox, Adobe Premiere Pro, Shopify, Webex, Zoom, Cvent and more.
2. Kaltura
Next on our list is Kaltura—an OTT tool that specializes in webinars, town halls, meetings, and virtual classrooms.
Not only is it perfect for businesses that are streaming meetings, pitching virtually, or holding focus groups, but it's also great for education providers who need a space for virtual learning.
It's also open-source software, so your data belongs to you instead of the streaming platform if you use it. However, this comes at a cost. Many features like social sharing, video looping, and bulk uploads aren't supported on the Kaltura platform.
Pros
- Easily customizable with plugins to suit specific needs
- API access for customization
- Tagging and metadata help keep content organized
- Supports 4K HD, 360, and custom resolutions
Cons
- No built-in recording studio
- Priced per TB, which can quickly add up
- Some users may find it complex to use
Integrations:
Microsoft Teams, Marketo, Salesforce, Blackboard, Canvas, and more
3. Dacast
If you are looking for an OTT platform that will give you access to the Chinese market, check out Dacast.
The live streaming platform, which can handle on-demand content, offers businesses China playback and market access—something that's not available on all OTT platforms because of the country's internet restrictions.
Combine that with other features, like CDNs, security, monetization models, and live stream recording, and Dacast is a tool that ticks many boxes.
Pros
- Unlimited viewers on live streams
- Multiple points of presence (PoPs) help with streaming across Mainland China
- White label and customized branding
Cons
- Lack of video editing features and integrations
- No built-in live chat
- Doesn’t support pre-recorded live events
Integrations:
Developer API
4. Wowza
Wowza is an OTT solution that supports both live and on-demand streaming, with tools for cloud streaming, private cloud streaming, and on-premises streaming.
Wowza has a content delivery network (CDN), and businesses can use the platform to customize what kind of experience to give viewers. For example, content creators can customize playback settings, video quality, and which networks they want a stream to be viewable from—all from the tool's dashboard.
The platform also has an impressive suite of tools, resources, and APIs to handle content demands once a business starts to scale.
Pros
- Customizable HTML5 video player that can be embedded
- Video transcoding from the cloud for smooth live streaming
- White-label branding
- Advanced analytics
Cons
- Complex setup for users who aren't super tech-savvy
- Additional fees for customer support
Integrations:
Telestream, Maestro, Cleeng, and more
5. Brightcove
Brightcove is a platform that allows users to create and distribute video content across multiple platforms. It offers a variety of tools and features to help content providers reach new audiences and monetize their content through Brightcove’s OTT solution.
Because of the tool's price point, Brightcove OTT is geared to medium and larger businesses, but it also comes with an impressive suite of analytics. From inside the platform, content creators can track lead capture analytics, monitor the performance of individual videos, and even place advertisements inside live streams and videos.
Brightcove's built-in templates also allow businesses to capture leads and easily optimize videos for SEO before they're uploaded to your website or live-streamed.
However, Brightcove navigates a period of transition with its acquisition by Bending Spoons, other OTT platform options may be a more reliable alternative to providing businesses with the OTT services, in the case of possible feature changes or potential service disruptions.
Pros
- API access with live streaming tools
- Inbuilt transcoding and analytics features
- Marketing and lead capture features to help with monetization
Cons
- Integrations can be complex to set up
- Analytics reports don't track unique video views
- Recent acquisition could lead to changes or disruptions
Integrations:
Braze, Zoom, Dropbox, Marketo, and more
6. Muvi
Muvi is a specialized OTT system that's targeted at businesses that want a solution similar to Netflix or Hulu.
It's one of the most expensive tools on our list, but that's because it's also a full-stack OTT solution, meaning that audio and video content can be deployed across web, mobile, and TV ecosystems. As Muvi provides businesses with all of the IT infrastructure needed to launch content, features like hosting, online video players, and apps for TV and mobile are included in the deal.
Pros
- White-label branding and URL
- Ability to create native Android or iOS apps for streaming
- Payment gateway integrations help with content monetization
Cons
- No tutorials available to help with onboarding
- Fewer marketing functionalities compared to some other OTT platforms
- Expensive compared to other OTT platforms
Integrations:
Google Analytics, WordPress, Zoom, Stripe, PayPal, Zapier, and more
7. Uscreen.tv
If you are looking for an OTT platform that streams on both smartphones and Smart TVs, Uscreen could be a good choice.
The platform doesn't take long to get up and running—Uscreen advises a maximum onboarding time of 60 days. And businesses can monetize videos and live streams easily using fixed-price offers, pay-per-view events, and subscription packages.
Like many tools on our list, Uscreen transcodes videos and streams them, but it doesn’t support 4K or higher videos. To make it easier for businesses to create video content, Uscreen comes with customizable templates to edit and monetize content without the need for a professional editing team.
On the downside, though, you can’t simulcast to social media with Uscreen, and you can’t run pre-recorded videos as live events (simulive). While Uscreen offers several monetization options, AVOD is not an option.
Pros
- Quick onboarding helps businesses get up and running
- Customers can download content to watch offline
- Mobile, calendar, and in-app push notifications for better marketing
Cons
- Can't deploy on desktops or on-premise systems
- Limited audience engagement tools
- Doesn’t support 4K
- You can’t simulcast to social media
- Doesn’t support pre-recorded live events
- No multi-cam streaming
- No AVOD monetization
Integrations:
MailChimp, Drip, Zapier, Google Analytics, Hotjar, Facebook
8. IBM Video Streaming
IBM Cloud Video is now part of IBM Watson Media. Currently known as IBM Video Streaming, this is another solid option for businesses that want a reliable OTT platform to stream high-definition, quality video to subscribers.
Like a lot of the platforms that made our list, IBM Cloud Video has the option to monetize content and transcode videos easily without having to learn code. The reason it made our top 10, however, was its robust security features. It offers password-protected single sign-on and accessibility restrictions to limit access to certain domains, IP addresses, and locations. You can also use geo-fencing and IP restrictions to block access to unauthorized users. Finally, IBM protects your content with end-to-end encryption.
These features are valuable for streaming businesses looking to ensure all of their content is legal and above board.
Pros
- Compatible for all devices, including smart TVs
- Faster streaming options thanks to multiple CDNs in different locations
- Branding can be customized to match logos and styles
Cons
- Analytics reports can only be exported as CSV/Excel files
- It's part of the IBM product range, which can take some training to master
Integrations:
Webex, Kissflow, Workspace ONE
9. Cleeng
Next up on our list is Cleeng—an OTT platform built specifically for live sports and streaming.
Working with brands like the NFL, Cleeng's platform has a suite of tools that make it super easy for businesses to plan and launch live pay-per-view events in minutes. Businesses can also control the security of each event by letting users log in using their social channels (1-click registration Facebook and Google) and restricting audiences to certain geo-areas.
Pros
- Paywall and authentication based on customer location and ticket choice
- Analytics reports track how much viewers are spending on events
- Accepts multiple currencies to help boost revenue
Cons
- No training videos for new customers
- Limited capabilities beyond monetization
Integrations:
Firebase, Auth0, Zapier, Google Drive, Zendesk, and more
10. Setplex
Setplex is a complete OTT platform with inbuilt encoding, transcoding, and billing for businesses looking to monetize their content.
This platform ticks a lot of boxes. Content creators can customize subscription plans and distribute content over various platforms, including Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Samsung, and LG as mobile devices at a quality speed.
Unlike some of the platforms on our list, Setplex supports on-cloud and on-premise content management, so it's geared towards more tech-heavy industries like telecom, cable, and sports companies.
Pros
- Customize interfaces for TV and mobile apps
- Multi-CDN strategy to help with worldwide content streaming
- Real-time analytics track viewing habits and revenue
Cons
- No editing tools
- No SDK provided
Integrations:
API access.
OTT platform FAQ
What is the difference between OTT and traditional cable TV?
OTT platforms deliver content over the Internet, bypassing traditional cable and satellite networks. This allows for on-demand access to video and audio content, offering viewers more flexibility in terms of how and when they consume media.
Is OTT the same as streaming?
OTT is a type of streaming, but streaming also happens outside of OTT platforms. OTT refers to the platform and the way the content is distributed. Streaming refers to the technology used to deliver and view the content.
How does monetization work on OTT platforms?
OTT platforms typically offer a few different monetization models, including Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD), Advertising Video on Demand (AVOD), Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD), Pay-Per-View (PPV), and hybrid models. These options allow creators to earn revenue through subscriptions, ads, rentals, and more. Unlike VOD, OTT platforms offer live content and scheduled programming.
Can I stream live events on OTT platforms?
Yes, many OTT platforms support live streaming, including features like multi-camera streaming, live chat, Q&A, and audience interaction tools. Some platforms even allow for pre-recorded live events (simulive) and support live pay-per-view events.
How do I ensure the security of my content on an OTT platform?
Most OTT platforms include Digital Rights Management (DRM) features to protect your videos from unauthorized access and piracy. You should also ensure the platform offers encryption and robust security measures for both content and customer data.
Conclusion: which OTT streaming platform is best for you?
Vimeo stands out as an ideal OTT platform due to its all-in-one solutions, ease of use, and robust features that cater to both small creators and large enterprises. With high-quality streaming options, including 4K support, and flexible monetization models such as SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD, Vimeo gives you all the tools you need to maximize your revenue. Our white-label apps for mobile and TV ensure your brand remains front and center, while powerful features like DRM protection, video APIs, and detailed analytics give you full control over your content and help you grow your business.
Compared to competitors like Uscreen, Brightcove, and Muvi, Vimeo’s combination of intuitive design, competitive pricing, and enterprise-grade support makes it a superior choice for creators seeking scalability without technical hassle. Vimeo provides a seamless experience that lets you focus on content creation while the platform handles the technical and business-side complexities.