What are the main benefits of a SaaS platform?

SaaS platforms are convenient, affordable, and scalable. As these platforms don’t typically require software installation, you can be up and running immediately. This means you can access the service from any computer or device. Other benefits of providing online video as a service include: Constant updates without needing a download Tight security and regular backups Highly scalable Accessible and easy to use Optimal for global content delivery It is important to watch each respective platform’s SaaS marketing videos to gain a more comprehensive understanding of available features.

What Are The Best SaaS Video Platforms For VODs And Streaming?

Q: What are SaaS platforms?

SaaS stands for ‘ software-as-a-service ’. This describes the process of a service being provided over the internet rather than requiring local software. Users pay a recurring subscription to access features that are provided over the internet. With SaaS video platforms, this works the same way. These platforms allow for content owners to upload content to those paying for access through various monetization methods.

Q: What is a SaaS video platform exactly?

Let’s start with the basics. A video SaaS video platform is a cloud-based online service that allows users to upload and manage video content online. This allows you to access your video uploads, video distribution, and content delivery all through an online interface. Video SaaS platforms also look after transcoding and bandwidth required to distribute your content efficiently and reliably . This is an attractive option for many due to not needing to worry about scaling and infrastructure maintenance. Software as a Service (SaaS) video platforms use global Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to give your viewers fast video content. No matter where they are located on the planet, the content will be delivered quickly.

The video landscape is exploding. Today, statistics say, 88% of marketers say video is an important part of their marketing strategy and 75% of people watch short-form video content on their mobile. Whether you're a budding content creator, an established enterprise, or somewhere in between, choosing the right SaaS video platform is crucial for reaching your audience and achieving your goals.

But with a plethora of video streaming platforms out there, how do you find the perfect fit? That's where we come in.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive deep into the top SaaS video platforms, dissecting their features, pricing, and ideal use cases. We'll cover everything from giants like Vimeo and Wistia to niche players catering to specific needs.

Dacast

Dacast is another SaaS video platform that gives creators access to powerful tools. It offers global content delivery in addition to multiple monetization options with strong encryption.

Smooth Streaming

Similar to StreamingVideoProvider, Dacast supports adaptive multi-bitrate streaming. This means that the video quality can adjust dynamically based on the connection quality of the viewer.

Monetization

Content creators can choose from a wide range of different monetization methods including advertisement integration.

Video CMS

The Dacast CMS is powerful and allows for the organization of content. However, it can take some time to get to grips with if you are a beginner.

Key Features

Multiple monetization options including support for advertisements
Multi-bitrate streaming
Global CDN
Powerful video CMS
White-label video player

Rating

4.4 out of 5

“Customer service is good. The platform is not super polished compared to some competitors, but we've seen many improvements over the last 2 years.”

Pricing

Dacast offers several pricing plans, including options for both monthly subscriptions and one-time events, starting at $39/month.

Vimeo

Vimeo has continued to evolve over the years, going from a free YouTube competitor to a comprehensive video SaaS platform.

Tools For Creators

In addition to supporting customization of the video player, Vimeo offers a powerful feature called Vimeo Create. This video editor allows creators to edit professional-looking videos for free.

Beginner-friendly

While not as powerful as some of the other options mentioned here, Vimeo can be a great starting point for creators. It’s a viable option if you’re looking for something in between a premium and a free platform. There are enough features available here to help smaller creators get up and running on a tiny budget.

Key Features

Easy-to-use interface that is ideal for beginners
SaaS video production via powerful video editor
Great for newer broadcasters and content creators
Customizable video player
Free option

Rating

4.3 out of 5

“The live broadcast features are very reliable and easy to implement into a number of other platforms.”

Pricing

Vimeo’s plans range from the basic free plan, which is very limited, to the $108/mo Advanced plan that comes with professional features like live streaming and polls.

Wistia

Live streaming isn’t supported which may be a deal breaker for some. What sets Wistia apart from the competition is the additional use of comprehensive marketing campaign tools.

Video Analytics

If, as a potential customer, you are looking for a video SaaS platform with in-depth analytics, Wistia is similar to StreamingVideoProvider in that regard and worth considering.

Customizable Video Player

Video player customization is also supported by the platform. This will allow you to brand and style things to your exact liking.

Marketing Features

Wistia is on the more expensive side compared to the other platforms mentioned. It is, however, still worthy of consideration due to the impressive marketing features available.

Monetization

Another potential negative is that monetization options are pretty limited when compared to other available platforms.

Key Features

Powerful SaaS video marketing platform
Intuitive and accessible interface
Impressive analytics
Player customization
Good SEO video tools

Rating

4.6 out of 5

"Video is easy to upload. The main features we use include: selecting a thumbnail, determining what the playback video options are, removing comments, embedding it into the website and branding the video with our colors and look.”

Pricing

Wistia's pricing starts with a very limited free plan. Their paid options range from $19 to $319 per month, with free trials available.

Kaltura

Kaltura is a powerful platform that supports both live and on-demand content. One negative, however, is that Kaltura can take a while to get to grips with. The Kaltura platform isn’t as user-friendly as some of the other options here.

Enterprise Oriented

The Kaltura Management Console allows creators to have flexible control over publishing. This combined with the powerful marketing tools make it a good fit for large institutions and organizations. It’s not as suitable for small businesses.

Global CDN

Content delivery is handled by a number of CDNs, one of which is Akamai. Kaltura has a selection of powerful marketing tools and is also a video platform for online courses.

Smooth Streaming

Kaltura supports multi-bitrate and adaptive streaming with a wide range of monetization options for creators.

Key Features

Great for e-learning and educational institutions
Multi-bitrate and adaptive streaming
Multiple monetization options via API
Highly customizable
Marketing tools

Rating

4.3 out of 5

“What I like best about it is its robust feature set, which includes seamless live streaming, interactive audience engagement tools, and comprehensive analytics.”

Pricing

Kaltura’s pricing is a bit complex, compared to other vendors. It is organized by use case and there are different tiers for the different use cases. For some, you have to request pricing, while others, such as webinars, come with their own plans, including a free trial.

What to look for in a SaaS video platform

Sounds good so far, right? That’s because they are! However, not all SaaS video platforms are created equal! That is why you need to carefully consider your options, and decide which features are most important to you in the long term.

Although different SaaS video platforms will offer different features, they all typically provide similar benefits. Before we dive into that though, let’s look at the general benefits that video SaaS solutions provide.

In this table, you can see the types of problems that video SaaS platforms can typically solve.

	Problem	Video SaaS Solution
Global Delivery	Buffering and low-quality video can ruin the viewer’s experience when watching from another country or on a slow network.	Having access to localized CDNs means that content is always delivered quickly, with low latency to the viewer.
Buffering	If viewers have slow internet, they may not be able to receive your broadcast. This happens if the video quality is too high.	SaaS that offer adaptive bitrate and multi-bitrate streaming can reach audiences optimally regardless of their connection speed.
Censorship	Without a premium video platform, you may encounter strict ToS agreements. It may also be difficult to reach audiences such as those in China.	With a SaaS video platform like StreamingVideoProvider, you gain access to Chinese audiences and avoid strict ToS/community guidelines.
Infrastructure	Having backups and large amounts of storage locally can be expensive and risky if anything happens to your hardware.	The best SaaS video platforms will allow for regular backups and cloud recording. Your data is always available no matter what via video cloud backups.
Security	Securing your content can be difficult locally unless you have an encrypted server with the latest security features.	The top SaaS video platforms have military-grade encryption in addition to 2FA. This stops account sharing, and makes your content super secure!

Below are some frequently asked questions relating to SaaS video platforms.

As mentioned previously, SaaS stands for ‘software-as-a-service’ and doesn’t just apply to video content. SaaS can apply to a wide range of products or services, such as eCommerce solutions, online file storage, and various collaboration tools.

SaaS stands for ‘software-as-a-service’. This describes the process of a service being provided over the internet rather than requiring local software. Users pay a recurring subscription to access features that are provided over the internet.

With SaaS video platforms, this works the same way. These platforms allow for content owners to upload content to those paying for access through various monetization methods.

Let’s start with the basics. A video SaaS video platform is a cloud-based online service that allows users to upload and manage video content online. This allows you to access your video uploads, video distribution, and content delivery all through an online interface.

Video SaaS platforms also look after transcoding and bandwidth required to distribute your content efficiently and reliably.

This is an attractive option for many due to not needing to worry about scaling and infrastructure maintenance. Software as a Service (SaaS) video platforms use global Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to give your viewers fast video content. No matter where they are located on the planet, the content will be delivered quickly.

SaaS platforms are convenient, affordable, and scalable. As these platforms don’t typically require software installation, you can be up and running immediately. This means you can access the service from any computer or device.

Other benefits of providing online video as a service include:

Constant updates without needing a download
Tight security and regular backups
Highly scalable
Accessible and easy to use
Optimal for global content delivery

It is important to watch each respective platform’s SaaS marketing videos to gain a more comprehensive understanding of available features.

Limitations of SaaS video solutions

While SaaS apps come with plenty of useful advantages, they also come with limitations like:

Lack of control over the backend

SaaS video solutions are hosted by the provider, so you don't have any control over the backend infrastructure or software. This can be a disadvantage if you need to make custom changes or have specific security requirements.

Integration

SaaS video solutions may not integrate well with other software that you are using. This can make it difficult to manage your videos and workflows.

Migration

Once you start using a SaaS video solution, it can be difficult to switch to another provider. This is because you may have to migrate your videos and data, which can be a time-consuming and expensive process.

Conclusion

So, which SaaS video platform is right for you?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, as the best platform depends on your specific needs and budget.

No matter which platform you choose, remember that SaaS video solutions are a powerful tool for reaching and engaging your audience. They handle the technical heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on creating compelling content that resonates with your viewers.

Aside from the financial benefits, the logistical benefits of using SaaS platforms cannot be overstated. You won’t have to worry about backups, bandwidth, or any other complex part of content delivery.

If you’re wondering where to start, sign up for our free trial today. See for yourself why so many creators use StreamingVideoProvider as their SaaS video platform.