DEV Community: Sundar Krish

5 Best Brightcove Alternatives You Should Switch To In 2023

Sundar Krish — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 07:38:47 +0000

Here we've reviewed the best brightcove alternatives & competitors which will be very helpful for video content owners to make the right decision.

As per Statista, the number of digital video viewers are likely to surpass 2.51 billion by 2020. In today’s digital world, video streaming has become a primary way to entertain and engage. With the user penetration expected to hit 16.9% by 2024, streaming platform providers are gearing to capitalize on an increased market share. But before you compare the various video streaming platforms on the market, narrow down what you want to achieve. In essence choose the platform that can provide the highest benefits for your business.

Brightcove is a cloud-based platform that allows publishers and broadcasters to upload, manage and monetize video content in the SaaS model. Even though it caters to all of the requirements for video content publishing, it is geared towards large publishers with high traffic and huge content catalogs.

So if you want to pick out a video streaming platform that compares to Brightcove and is more appropriate for your business vision, read on to know our opinion on the 5 best alternatives to Brightcove.

1. VPlayed - Best OTT Platform For Live & On Demand Streaming

VPlayed figures on the top of this list as an alternative for its truly white label OTT platform that works on a SaaP model. With a dedicated team of streaming technology engineers, it offers excellent customer support and upgrades. The key features of VPlayed are:

Customization - The platform can be customized fully from the frontend player to the backend dashboard including the monetization models. Unlike other services in the category, VPlayed can be used for OTT, video, audio and live streaming.

Faster Transcoding - With advanced transcoding capabilities, your videos can be made compatible with multiple formats for Web, mobile and TV. Wider reach for your platform can be achieved with faster playback and multi-device compatibility.

Dynamic Video Player - Using technology like adaptive bitrate streaming, playback on your platform will be smooth in spite of bandwidth issues and net connectivity. Enable embeddable videos for your website for branding and promotion.

Multiple Monetization - VPlayed has a wide choice of video monetization models. While SVOD platforms are common, AVOD, TVOD and catchup TV are also available. Ads can be even be inserted at the server-side or through third-party integrations.

DRM & Security - AES Encryption, Paywall integration and SSL certificates are some technologies that make VPlayed secure even for offline playback. Your videos are protected against unauthorized download and redistribution.

2. Contus Vplay - A White label VOD Solution

A fully customizable OTT solution to build an OTT platform for videos and audios that are considered a leading alternative to Brightcove. Suitable for small to mid-sized businesses, it offers a feature-packed solution to your video streaming requirements. The distinguishing features of Contus Vplay are as follows:

Cloud Infrastructure - Contus Vplay’s cloud infrastructure delivers speed and unlimited storage over its server hosted on the cloud. Server-side upgrades enable your platform to function without hitches even during the upgrades.

HLS Video Player - With low latency streaming compatible with multi-device playback, Contus Vplay makes for strong comparison against Brightcove. Also features like closed captioning and subtitling widen the reach to a multilingual and differently-abled audience.

Integrate Live Video & VOD's - Your videos can be autosaved to an online VOD library after live streaming. Through a robust CMS and recommendation engine, videos will be discoverable even after the live session is over.

Third-Party Ad Integrations - Monetize your platform as you engage more viewers through ads. Enables management, serving, and tracking an ad on the platform. Ad servers decide the relevant ads based on a target audience and revenue.

End-to-End Encryption - With the gold standard in encryption, protect your video assets from being accessed, modified or downloaded by an unauthorized user. Protection is available even for offline playback.

3. Panopto - Online Video Platform for Business

Panopto is a lecture capture/webcasting system that creates a library of videos for a public or private viewing. The platform is used by its core markets like Enterprise Learning & Development, Corporate Communications, Sales, and Higher Education. Key features of Panopto include:

Flexible Hosting - With a choice to host videos on your own servers or on a cloud, Panopto offers the flexibility to upload and manage your content.

Faster Transcoding - By using advanced integration, Panopto enables multi-bitrate streaming, ensuring fast startup and minimal buffering irrespective of the internet speed.

Deeper Analytics - Reporting dashboard provides insights into video viewing and audience watch time metrics. Reports can be customized for deeper drill down.

Integration & APIs - Customize and extend your video platform to meet the needs of existing processes and infrastructure with Panopto.

Secure Video Streams - With site-wide SSL and password requirements on Panopto login credentials, it is a secure platform to upload, manage and store your video assets.

4. IBM Cloud - End-to-End Video Streaming Platform

IBM Cloud Video offers live streaming and video solutions with advanced features for playback, marketing and security. It is a scalable, engaging and reliable platform with limited customization for player skins and personalized pages. The key features of the alternative streaming platform:

CDN Integration - It has a high CDN density enables smooth playback as it streams from a local server. IBM cloud video uses SD-CDN is used for global streaming and tailors issues at the organizational level.

Video Enrichment Tools - It aims to discover exceptional opportunities to improve profit margins, achieve efficiency and produce return-on-investment. It widens search parameters so that content owners can maximize the value of the platform.

License & Rights Enforcement - You own the video and all rights to it even after your content has been broadcast. 3rd-party branding or outside marketing will have no right to modify or remove the videos.

Cloud Transcoding - The ingest streams once uploaded is transcoded over the cloud to be compatible with multiple devices. This not just widens the reach but also enables faster streams.

In-app Dialogs - Chat on a live video converts viewers into subscribers. You can analyze the message data to know viewing trends and target a specific group or community.

5. Dacast - Live Video Streaming Services

A secure and hassle-free solution equipped with features for corporate and professional requirements. As many features are available for premium customers, Dacast is generally perceived as expensive. Its storage is capped at 20 GB. Some notable features are:

User-friendly Interface - With an easy-to-use backend dashboard, Dacast is a good choice for a beginner.

White-label Service - Dacast is also a white-label service and has limited customizability in terms of analytics.

Secure Video Hosting - With password protection, IP restrictions and SSL encryption, your videos are safe from unauthorized viewing and downloads.

Social Media Integrations - The Dacast platform is integrated with social media which makes your video assets shareable. It is the most common form of marketing tools that is used by video streaming platforms.

Multi-account Management - You can configure and edit multiple content accounts in Kaltura from a central location. But it is enabled for premium customers.

Bottom Line:

Even though Brightcove has excellent features for you to publish and monetize your videos, these 5 Brightcove alternatives can be used to fit your business model and revenue objectives. The scale of deployment differs for every business. But it pays off in a long term decision to choose a SaaP model with a comprehensive set of features.

11 Radio Station App Builders To Build Radio App For Android & iOS Platforms For 2022

Sundar Krish — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 07:12:45 +0000

Here we've breakdown the list of top 11 radio station app development for android & ios to create your own radio apps in no time.

Unlike other traditional entertainment forms that are losing its grip, Radio stations are still in their peak, growing every passing year.

Yeah, in fact in America 18-34-year-olds are likely to spend more time listening to radio stations than watching traditional TV in 2025!

Though many readers predict like “nobody is listening to the radio anymore”. That can’t be right, Radio has a separate fanbase and the voice whispering background behind every house, office, the market is the sign of the Radio market growth. The online radio apps or platforms now account for about $200 Billion worth and format is growing each passing year.

These promising factors are the reasons that Radio station streaming services are still in the market.

Internet radio streaming is becoming more popular among global smartphone users and businesses from all parts of the world are taking advantage of this to build a radio station app that is being listened across the globe.

To your reference, over $4 billion is acquired as a part of profit by the Radio station app owners only through advertising.

As for the radio industry, it's obvious that only the content matters of all time to captivate the audience and engage them instantly. To all those businesses and stakeholders, who wish to build your own radio station application for your end-users and leverage your business value, here’s a list of top radio station app builders in the market to expand your radio station streaming business.

1. VPlayed - Best Radio Streaming Solution

VPlayed is an enterprise-grade OTT solution that provides software as a product. Whether you are streaming live on-air or scheduling your program, VPlayed helps to create an engaging radio show. The platform provides you with an array of features that can be customized to suit your requirements. Creating your own radio station app is not just secure but also yields more revenue in the long run.

Check out the other features of VPlayed below:

A customized audio platform to create a unique radio channel.
Powerful HLS player
Multiple monetization models.
Live and scheduled broadcast through robust CMS.
RSS Feed algorithm for your tailor-made music playlist
Supports multi-device delivery
Polls and social media integration to engage with subscribers MP3, ACC, WAV, .amr, .aiff and Ogg formats are supported

2. Contus Vplay - Radio Streaming Software

Equipped with a robust CDN, that provides for fast scalability, Contus Vplay is SaaP solution for all your broadcasting needs. Live social media integration and insightful user behaviour report are a handy feature to engage with your audience. Monetization models include subscription and ad-based programs!

Highlight Features:

SaaP Solution
Automated transcoding
Multi-device compatibility
Social media integration
Real-time chat functionality
Geo-blocking to restrict listener by geographic regions
Analytics report
Multiple monetization models.

3. Shoutcast - Online Radio Streaming Platform

It is a customisable solution to build your own online radio station app. You could choose to use Shoutcast infrastructure or a combination of your server and Shoutcast software. It uses cloud technology and enables live streaming for unlimited listeners. Ad programs monetize your radio shows. Geolocation Management is available only for Business and Management Plans.

Highlight Features:

Supports MP3 and AAC format up to 320 kbps
Alexa Skill Integrated
Social media integration
Audience monetization through ads.
Analytics dashboard (for premium plans only)
Storage (for premium plans only)

4. Radio.co - Radio Station App Builder

Radio.co is an all-in-one platform that provides you with the functionality to manage your entire station through cloud technology. It is a simple broadcasting platform to create a radio station app with your own web player, logo and colours. It also has features to help you interview your guests. Just like an FM station! The users include community and university radio stations.

Highlight Features:

Access control - Responsibility can be delegated to team members.
Voice tracking- Pre-record between-track-talk and add it to playlists.
Scheduling tools and live broadcasting supported
Run multiple stations
Instant snapshot of listeners through dynamic analytics reports.
Twitter can be used to drive engagement
Geo protection to filter the audience by region

5. Airtime pro - Internet Radio Broadcasting Software

With a clean and streamlined workflow, Airtime Pro has effective tools to build a radio station website. Smart blocks help to auto-populate your content by genres or time which helps you prioritise the prime time content. A dynamic analytics report and insightful monetization programs make it easy to work with. Popular users include religious broadcasters and college radio stations.

Highlight Features:

Suitable for multiple devices
Scheduling Tool and Live broadcast through Icecast-compatible third-party software
Social media integration
Built-in Podcast capability
Live Show Editing allows spontaneity.
Hourly listener statistics
Supports MP3, Ogg, WAV, FLAC and AAC formats

6. Radiojar - Radio Broadcast Solution

Built by a team that connected over music and engineering, Radiojar enables building a professional-grade online radio station app through its own cloud streaming platform. The cloud library, schedules, pilots and breaks can be easily automated regardless of your location. Engage effectively with your co-hosts and listeners on-air through live show collaboration and real-time chats.

Highlight Features:

Minimum output at 128 kbps. (Higher bitrates also supported).
Cross-platform and multi-device compatible
Realtime Chat with listeners
Accessible streams even behind firewalls
Innovative tools to manage transitions and interruptions
Monthly and weekly analytics report
Compatible with VAST-compliant ad-provider

7. Live365 - Create Internet Radio Station

A pioneer in webcasting, Live 365 is a cloud Internet radio broadcasting solution for webcasters looking to create their own internet radio station. It uses Spacial to equip you with the tools to run your online radio station like a professional. Using scheduling software like Music Master makes it easy to set up an advance schedule of your station’s shows and playlists

Highlight Features:

Analytics Reports provide real-time access to the number of listeners
Voicebunny for voice-overs in over 50 languages.
Live and scheduled broadcasts
Monetisation through targeted audio ads
Filter your audience through Geoblocking, IP Banning, and Session Duration.
Supports uploads in .mp3 or .m4a extensions

8. Radio King - Broadcast Internet Radio

Led by a small group of radio enthusiasts, Radio King is a great blend of innovation, passion and quality. Build an online radio station to stream to unlimited users using multiple file-formats like mp3, wav, ogg and flac, even streaming beyond firewalls. You can plan your stream and also jingles, sound clips and transitions effortlessly.

Highlight Features:

320 kbps encoding and also mobile-optimised
Multi-device delivery
Live and scheduled streaming
Analytics reports to understand user choices
Social media integration with Facebook and Twitter
Multiple file formats - mp3, wav, ogg and flac.

9. Wowza - Radio Streaming Software

Wowza was started with the goal of simplifying media streaming. Providing the tools to build a radio station app is an extension of that vision.

Audio streams can be transcoded using the built-in Wowza tool. Use the Wowza UI or build your own front end with a powerful REST API. The adaptive-bitrate HTML5 player from Wowza is a great choice for seamless broadcasting and a loyal listener base.

Highlight Features:

Multi-device player
Patented Wowza software built for speed and real-time streaming
Social media integration
Built-in audio transcoding for MP3, Vorbis, Opus, Speex, and other audio codecs
SaaS platform with auto-scalability.

10. Cloud Radio - Internet Radio Hosting Services

Cloud Radio is one of the leading internet-based radio stations hosting providers in the market with providing Shoutcast, Icecast and Streamcast radio servers to build your cloud-based radio station. The solution provides a customized radio listener with a monthly price based on your user base. The radio app builder helps to broadcast content through a modern console that offers 320 Kbps streaming quality, unlimited bandwidth support and timely status monitoring for your radio servers.

Highlighted Features:

Modern Console to manage the activities of the radio station
Multiple location support to deploy
HTTPS-enabled player
Advanced Analytical dashboard to manage activities
Free monitoring for radio servers

11. Jota Radio - Create Radio Station Apps

Jota Radio Apps helps On-air talents to publish a radio station app that allows them to stream music, news, Podcasts, sport and many more. With their live stream capability, listeners can access the station right from an app. The radio station app is equipped with News Feed for people from local and across the border who can consume daily news within the app. It has also been configured with a Weather forecast where Radio stations are one of the treasured platforms to keep the audience updated and engaged.

Highlighted Features:

Event broadcast through the radio station app
4 Contact Method to connect with audience over call, message & image sharing
Push Notification to keep audience engaged
Weblinks to connect with station across devices
Social connect to share events on social platforms

That’s a wrap, folks!

Creating a business of Internet-based radio station service has been a lucrative business since the ad revenue alone has a huge value of around $4 billion. Choosing the right radio station app builder is a complex thing where you need to focus before approaching any solution provider. An established radio streaming solution will provide everything right from building your radio station app with the infrastructure, broadcasting content to the global audience and generating revenue from it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How to Create an App for My Radio Station?

You can easily create your dynamic audio app in just a few easy steps. Choose an appropriate niche with pre-loaded features that you need. Whitelabel it to have your own platform hosted, brand it with 100% customization, get real-time dashboard for analysing user metrics on the go & be present socially.

Q2. What are the Basic Features Needed to Develop a Radio Station App?

If you devise a plan to develop a radio station app, you're probably wondering what features should be included in the first release. There are endless options, but you need to cover major ones like push notifications, offline music, in-app purchase, voice search & commands, recommendations & music player.

Q3. Does My Radio Streaming Platform Need to Support Both Android & iOS?

Yes, of course. It is essential to stay connected with your audience every now and then. They digitally live in the prime support system when it comes to compatible devices & platforms right from Android, iOS apps, Smart TVs, Tablets, Browsers, Web apps, etc. The more you keep your radio platform flexible, it gets to have a wider customer base.

Q4. How Much Does it Cost to Build a Radio App?

As you look out ways to increase the presence of your customized radio station, continuous innovations make the costs of developing apps bespoke in the coming years. Turn this profitable trend to your advantage giving a friendly UX and fully end-to-end developed solution as per your requirements.

Q5. What are the Benefits of Making a Radio App for My Station?

The major factor giving you best takeaways is: you can push more traffic with adding elements of customization & making it absolutely convenient as well as personalized. Your customers can leverage unlimited uploads, protected platform access, multi-format or multi-device support, ad targeting, transcription etc.

Q6. How to Monetize a Radio Station App?

You can easily monetize your own radio broadcasting app with a large number of playlists using top revenue-generating dias like Freemium model, In-app ads, Subscription-based, and you can also Inject Ads between your audio streams. All of these can help you to reap good profitable revenue.

Q7. How to Find the Best Radio Station App Builder?

We all know the rise of radio apps has given vivid chances to businesses & stakeholders like you who wish to create a customized radio station app. You can immediately find suitable radio app builders based on content genre, streaming potentialities, number of customization, high-tech that are offered added to cost.