The 6 best video streaming platforms in 2026

B2B vs. B2C streaming platforms: Which is right for you?

The difference between business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) video streaming platforms lies in their audiences: B2B video content is for marketing products and services to other businesses, while B2C content is for end users or subscribers. 

For example, business leaders might attend a B2B webinar debuting a new project management tool. In contrast, individual users of that tool might watch a series of B2C tutorials about how to use it. The B2B webinar would benefit from a live chat to facilitate Q&A and integrated contact forms to collect leads. Meanwhile, the B2C tutorials need to be in playlists or have specific access controls. This is why different streaming platforms (and vendors who help you create your own) matter for B2B and B2C companies.

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Key features of video streaming platforms

Despite their differences, B2B and B2C video streaming platforms share some essential features. Here are major details to investigate for whichever platform you choose:

• Video quality and encoding: Some platforms limit your bitrate and resolution based on subscription tiers, so consider video quality needs while setting your budget.
• Analytics: Detailed video analytics, from viewer count to geographic locations, help you glean insights into your viewers to tailor future streams.
• Monetization options: The freedom to experiment with different types of monetization models means you can find the one that offers the best return on investment.
• Privacy controls: You’ll likely need to control access to your videos at some point, so choose a platform with strong privacy and security features, like multi-factor authentication and video digital rights management (DRM).
• Integrations: With the right integrations, you can seamlessly publish content across channels, automate editing workflows, and capture leads from videos. It might take some time to set up, but it’s worth the effort. Your streaming platform should offer plenty of useful integrations to fit into your current workflow.

What are the most popular streaming platforms?

Here are six of the best video streaming services to compare so you can find the best fit for your B2B or B2C needs. 

1. Vimeo

Vimeo is the streaming platform of choice for professionals. It supports the needs of both B2B and B2C creators on a single platform, including several streaming-specific services. Vimeo Live is great for hosting live B2B events like webinars and fireside chats, or B2C livestreams of interviews, gaming sessions, or unboxings. With Vimeo Streaming, businesses and content creators can build a branded experience for all their content with a custom website for live streams and an ad-free player. For monetized streaming options featuring the same branded content, Vimeo's OTT services through Vimeo Streaming provide a white-label player that gives you complete control over your viewers’ video experience.

With Vimeo’s advanced analytics, you can learn a lot about your audience, from when they tend to leave streams to how frequently they interact. This information can help you discover opportunities to pivot your video strategy to maximize revenue and improve engagement.

Explore Vimeo Streaming →

2. Wistia

Wistia specializes in B2B live streaming, focusing on centralizing video production. It offers lightweight recording, editing, and publishing tools that help you create your videos, and supports lead-capture forms and analytics to get the most out of them. The biggest downside is that you’ll need to add several integrations to fill in for basic features, such as monetization and more advanced video editing.

Compare Vimeo and Wistia →

3. Brightcove

Brightcove is more B2C-focused, though it can be used for B2B or corporate live streaming with the proper setup. They offer three different packages tailored to specific use cases: marketing, communications, and media. Their white-glove package personalization means you’ll get an exceptionally curated platform for your video content. Still, it isn’t cheap, and B2B models won’t have as many customization opportunities as other platforms. It’s best for media companies with broad audiences who are ready to invest heavily in video streaming.

Compare Vimeo and Brightcove →

4. Dacast

Dacast is a lightweight video streaming platform geared toward B2B creators. You can use it to curate a branded experience for viewers that showcases a commitment to high-quality content. Even their lowest tier includes 1080p streaming, simulcasting, and geofencing. It’s a low-risk, inexpensive way to test the waters of video streaming, but the price sharply rises if you need additional features like video DRM and integration support.

Compare Vimeo and Dacast →

5. StreamYard

StreamYard is a B2C-focused streaming platform that emphasizes features that drive engagement. It’s a centralized platform where you can stream to multiple channels at once while also capturing analytics from every impression and view. You’ll have to navigate several bandwidth and storage capacity limits, and their pricing isn’t very transparent. Still, with flexible pricing models, you’ll eventually land on the right package for your needs.

6. YouTube Live

YouTube Live is a B2C platform that hosts live video content. It won’t help you create or market your videos, but its status as the second-most-popular website on the internet means you could reach a vast audience. YouTube Live shows basic analytics about who’s watching your content, and you can capture that data with many tools that integrate with YouTube. It’s one of the places you might stream content in a multichannel strategy, but not where you should create or manage it.

Compare Vimeo and YouTube →

Trends shaping video streaming in 2026

Video streaming — whether it’s live or video on demand (VOD) — is still rapidly evolving. It’s in your best interest to keep your eye on the following trends for any opportunities to tap into their success:

• AI-driven analytics: AI can detect subtle trends and insights that help you discover new ways to drive engagement. To find those opportunities, consider adding an AI data analysis tool to your suite.
• Interactivity: Interactive polls, quizzes, or branching paths add more immersive content to enhance your viewers' experience.
• Multichannel: As audiences become increasingly segmented across platforms, streaming to multiple channels at once can help you reach everyone.
• Subscription-based monetization: While subscription monetization is hardly a new trend, the number of different platforms offering niche services is. Offer your viewers a free trial to show them what makes your platform unique.

FAQ

What is the difference between a video streaming platform and a video hosting service?

Video streaming platforms host live or VOD content and provide tools to engage with audiences while they’re watching. Video hosting services simply store videos online so you can share or embed them elsewhere. For example, Vimeo and YouTube are both video hosting services that offer separate video streaming platforms: Vimeo Streaming and YouTube Live.

What internet speed is required for live streaming?

The best internet speed for live streaming depends on the resolution and quality of your video. You’ll need at least 5-10 Mbps, but that minimum won’t deliver high-quality visuals to all your viewers. At higher Mbps, you’ll see quality rise: 

• 25 Mbps is enough to stream 720p videos at 30 to 60 fps with a few interruptions. 
• 50 Mbps results in a stable 60 fps on 1080p videos.
• 100 Mbps or higher can achieve a stable 30 fps even on 4k videos, as long as your chosen platform supports it.

What are the hidden costs of streaming?

Depending on the video streaming platform you choose, you may also need to invest in some infrastructure to store video assets, convert files, or monetize content. Vimeo offers an all-in-one solution for these needs, while other platforms sell them to you piecemeal as add-ons or with custom pricing.

Here are some scaling costs to look out for:

• Bandwidth limits
• Active viewer caps
• Storage capacity
• Maximum library size
• Add-ons like SSAI, transcoding, and interactive video features

Why is Vimeo the platform of choice for streaming success?

Vimeo’s versatility sets it apart from other streaming platforms. Rather than being tailored to narrow use cases, Vimeo offers anyone who needs to host or stream videos the same comprehensive suite of versatile, enterprise-grade tools. That way, everyone can experiment with features that maximize the potential of their video content, such as flexible monetization models, advanced analytics, and a customizable player. 

Start a free trial to see how Vimeo’s toolset uplifts professional video content strategies.