Comparing Brightcove Competitors: VPlayed and Dacast
Looking for top competitors to Brightcove? Here are our recommendations for alternatives in 2024 — VPlayed and Dacast
Last Updated — February 01, 2024
The global video streaming market size is expected to reach USD 184.3 billion by 2027, as per a report from Grand View Research, Inc. It comes as no surprise then that the competition is getting more exciting in the segment.
With over 2 decades of experience in the streaming industry, Brightcove is a pioneer in its own right. The streaming services are primarily offered on ad-based monetization models. Even though the player has limited customization, smooth playback is enabled through adaptive bit-rate streaming. Despite its size, it has the disadvantage of rigidness. Unlike its younger competitors, Brightcove lacks flexibility and range in its streaming services.
Top Competitors to Brightcove Online Video Platform
Of all the video streaming platforms we reviewed, VPlayed and Dacast stood out among the rest as the top competitors in terms of superiority of features, user experience, and cost-effectiveness. Here is a detailed review of both products in relation to Brightcove.
1. VPlayed — A White Label Streaming Solution
An award-winning software that has been reviewed in Software Suggest and Compare Camp, VPlayed builds video streaming platform that are fully customizable at all levels. Appropriate for enterprise-level solutions, the platform offers scalability, security and a wide variety of marketing functionalities.
Take a look at the list of key features that we compiled:
Customization — VPlayed builds platforms that can be customized for your brand and business. It is a SaaP-based model that ensures the flexibility to design a player frontend, choose technologies and hosting location and even build a backend dashboard for easily tracking performance metrics.
Streaming Capabilities — VPlayed offers a wide array of streaming capabilities like audio, video, live and OTT streaming. In an alternative to Brightcove, VPlayed’s choices of streaming platforms and their expertise is wide.
Multiple monetization models — Apart from ad-based options offered by Brightcove, VPlayed has video monetization models based on subscription, transactional and also pay-per-view. Server-side and third-party ad integration is also availed on VPlayed.
Branded Apps — Apps enable your platform to stream over Smart TVs from Apple, Samsung, LG, Roku, etc. VPlayed build a video streaming app to be compatible with these devices which are slowly claiming a large chunk of the TV markets all over the world.
Third-party service integration — VPlayed uses the best technological integrations for transcoding and CDN systems.
Hosting — Competitors that compare with Brightcove usually get your content hosted on their server. In contrast, VPlayed offers a choice as to hosting either on a server in your own premises or on the cloud. Cloud hosting makes your platform upgrade and maintenance seamlessly quick.
HLS Player — Through the use of adaptive bitrate streaming, video files are transmitted faster regardless of the speed of the internet connection. VPlayed’s playback has been found to be compatible with multiple devices and delivers low latency streams over its HLS player.
Multi-Platform DRM — VPlayed’s security features ringfence your streaming platform against unauthorized access and redistribution through watermarking, screenshot prevention and IP & Device Restriction. Parental control features are also available on VPlayed.
Video Marketing — The content on your streaming platforms are marketed through backend metadata management and marketing automation features. VPlayed enables social media sharing and recommendation engine which drives viewership for a longer duration.
Analytics & Reports — As important it is to create content, so is analyzing its performance. VPlayed offers a range of analytic reports that assist in tailoring your video assets to suit the general audience watching trends.
2. Dacast — All-in-one Video Streaming Platform
Dacast is a simple yet flexible solution backed by an excellent support team. It is a white-label, all-in-one video streaming platform that allows content owners and broadcasters to be in total control of their content. With its SaaS approach, Dacast gives professional tools and utilities through cloud computing.
Here are some relevant features that make it one of the competitors to Brightcove:
White-Label Service — On Dacast, broadcasters get to maintain ownership of their own content on the streaming platform. However, customization is limited to theme the media player to match it with the look and feel of your existing website.
Secure Video Hosting — Maintain full control of your video content with security features, like referrer and real-time network monitoring. Dacast provides for content hosting on their server and maintains accessibility and availability.
HTML5 player — HTML5 video streaming enables solutions to stream videos directly from a website. With the streaming process becoming streamlined and improved for viewers and broadcasters alike, videos can stream on all types of devices.
Real-Time Analytics — Dacast offers a real-time analytics feature for its premium customers. Gather, view, and export a wide range of data through Dacast’s reliable analytics dashboard to help you measure and understand your audience.
Revenue Models — Dacast supports SVOD, AVOD and pay-per-view model of monetization. The only glitch in this is that clients must wait until they accumulate $100 before they can transfer funds from Dacast and also the first transaction takes about 35 days.
DRM & Security — Dacast secures the platform to host your videos through password systems, paywall integration, and encryption technology. It may be noted though that some features are restricted to premium customers.
Final Note
Experience means a lot especially when it comes to technological implementation. However, experience and scale sometimes turn into disadvantages as in the case of Brightcove. In a further drill down among the competitors, SaaP-based platforms provide better flexibility and branding advantages. While you choose from the options, make sure that you take into account long term cost-effectiveness as SaaS platforms charge heavily for any additional feature over and above the basic plan.
