A live streaming platform is a live stream application that broadcasts video content in real-time via computers, mobile devices, and other devices. These applications include live-streaming software, live-streaming platforms, and live-streaming websites.
In today's Internet age, live streaming platforms or software are becoming increasingly important because they can provide users with a real-time, interactive Internet experience. Additionally, they help businesses increase brand awareness and sales and provide better service to customers.In short, the live streaming platform or software is a crucial network technology that can provide users with a real-time and interactive Internet experience and provide enterprises with better marketing and service capabilities.
List of Live Streaming Platforms
1. YouTube Live
Youtube Live is a free live streaming platform, you can stream live on YouTube using a variety of different devices. A channel that broadcasts a live stream each week gains up to 40% more subscribers, according to YouTube. In addition to its analytics, monetization, live chat, and other features, YouTube is an excellent live-streaming platform.
2. Facebook Live
With 2.7 billion monthly active users, Facebook is one of the largest social media platform in the world. A number of demographic groups use the social network, but millennials constitute the largest group of users. You can expand your reach by leveraging your existing network of Facebook users, especially if you're already active on the site. Streaming time limits and monetization restrictions are some of the downsides of Facebook.
3. Twitch
As the pandemic swept the globe in 2020, Twitch expanded exponentially from gaming to other categories. Globally, Twitch was watched for 5.71 billion hours in Q3 2022. The Twitch platform should be your first consideration if you're a gamer. There was tremendous growth in the popularity of the Just Chatting channel in 2020, as well as other channels, such as IRL, music, and art.
4. OneStream Live
OneStream Live is a cloud-based live streaming platform that allows users to multistream both real-time and pre-recorded videos on 45+ social media platforms and anywhere on the web, all at once. It is an ideal solution for solo content creators and influencers, gamers, churches and other houses of worship, event organizers and planners, musicians, artists, and business enterprises alike. You can create professional-looking branded live streams, invite guests to host shows, schedule pre-recorded videos up to 60 days in advance, and restream your real-time videos from several compatible RTMP encoders like OBS, Zoom, XSplit, and more. You can get started for free, and the premium plans are equally budget-friendly, starting from $12 a month.
5. Restream
Live streaming is made faster with Restream, which lets you broadcast to multiple channels simultaneously. Streaming to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, and other popular platforms is accessible with just one Restream account. Restream has features of Restream Chat, Scheduler, and Analytics, allowing you to track your live stream. There are two plans available for this platform. The free plan allows you to stream on two channels, but if you want to stream on more other media, then it will cost you $16 a month.
6. LinkedIn Live
As a full-service content platform, LinkedIn lets you find videos, and live videos from influencers, brands, and other industry professionals. In addition, LinkedIn users have twice the buying power as average internet users, 93% of which use it for organic social marketing. However, in order to access LinkedIn Live, you must meet specific requirements.
7. TikTok Live
TikTok is a social media application that allows live streamers to share viral videos. It's massively populated and was the most downloaded free iPhone app in the U.S. in 2021. Live video creators still have a chance to find an audience with longer content since TikTok is dominated by short video clips. If your content is aimed at Gen Z, you can use TikTok's live studio software for desktops or mobile devices. Currently, only a small percentage of TikTok users have accessed the webpage of a live streaming studio, and some users are allowed to go live on TikTok.
8. Dacast
The Dacast service includes VOD and live to stream and allows you to broadcast password-protected videos on your website. It is ideal for online courses and paid events. In addition to top-tier CDNs, video monetization options, and secure video hosting, this all-in-one streaming platform offers a host of valuable features. For all your professional live streaming needs, analytics and bulk are uploading. However, Dacast does not offer any free plans. In order to live stream using Dacast, you would need to pay $39 per month.
9. Brightcove
Streaming studios from Brightcove cater to marketers, internal teams, and media organizations to meet different needs. Using Brightcove's server-side-ad insertion technology, broadcasters can monetize live video content while providing viewers with a buffer-free and ad-free experience.
10. StreamYard
StreamYard is noted to be an easy-setup live streaming platform, and it allows streamers to stream on multiple channels. Using this web-based live-streaming studio, you can share your screen or slides, invite guests, and chat privately. There are two plans available, which are the free plan with no additional cost and a $20 advanced plan.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider when choosing a live-streaming platform for new streamers. Platforms differ in features, audience, and technical aspects, so no one platform is better. One person or brand's preferred live-streaming service may not be the best option for another. It is essential to select the correct live-streaming platform based on your streaming content.