HTML5 Live Streaming Solutions and the Rise of HLS
HTML5 live streaming solutions
have become the industry standard in recent years. Among them, the HLS streaming protocol
has gained significant popularity. One key reason is that Adobe officially ended support for RTMP at the end of 2020, forcing broadcasters and platforms to look for alternatives.
When Adobe announced back in 2017 that RTMP would be discontinued, the question what is HLS streaming became critical. HLS evolved quickly and today even offers Low-Latency HLS (LL-HLS) with delays as low as 2–5 seconds. That makes it not just a replacement, but also a compelling option for near real-time use cases.
Why Switch to HLS?
The RTMP protocol
is now obsolete, while HLS offers future-proof streaming. Since it is HTTP-based, it ensures compatibility across browsers, devices, and networks, while delivering adaptive bitrate streaming for optimal quality.
Other advantages include:
Wide device support: iOS, Android, smart TVs, and all major browsers.
Adaptive bitrate: ensures smooth playback even with fluctuating internet speeds.
Security & scalability: fits perfectly into modern CDN workflows.
Technical Snapshot of HLS
Video Codecs: H.264, H.265
Audio Codecs: AAC-LC, HE-AAC, FLAC
Latency: Traditional HLS 8–12s, Low-Latency HLS 2–5s
Compatibility: Supported on Chrome, Safari, Edge, Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and more
For developers, you can integrate HLS easily using custom HTML5 players
, hls.js, or Flowplayer.
flowplayer("#player", {
src: "https://###.antmedia.io:5443/LiveApp/streams/stream1.m3u8"
})
Comparing HLS With Other Protocols
HLS vs RTMP: HLS wins on compatibility and future support, RTMP is dead.
HLS vs WebRTC: WebRTC is better for sub-second latency (video conferencing, gaming).
HLS vs CMAF: CMAF offers 3–5s latency and unified formats for efficiency.
HLS vs RTSP: RTSP is still common in IP cameras but lacks scalability for consumer streaming.
You can check our full breakdown: HLS vs WebRTC vs RTMP
.
When to Use HLS?
Use HLS when you prioritize quality and scalability over interactivity — such as in live sports broadcasts, OTT platforms, webinars, and large-scale event streaming.
For ultra-low latency, interactive use cases (real-time auctions, gaming, video calls), WebRTC streaming
is a better fit.
Final Thoughts
HLS remains the most widely supported streaming protocol and is still evolving with Low-Latency HLS. While it may not be perfect for every use case, it is indispensable for large-scale broadcasts and OTT workflows.
Ant Media Server
supports HLS, Low-Latency HLS, WebRTC, CMAF, RTMP, RTSP, and SRT. With REST APIs, SDKs, and full flexibility, you can build any type of live streaming solution.
👉 Start your free trial of Ant Media HLS solutions
today and experience next-gen streaming firsthand.
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