On-Demand Apps

The 6 Best Live Streaming Platform APIs for Enterprises

March 18, 2024412 views0

A video streaming API connects the platform and the interface, allowing audiovisual media to play. This software is necessary to quickly and easily assimilate streaming features on any app or platform.

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In simple words, an API is the code or tool that enables applications to play videos on them. API acts as a communicating interface between two programs. This is a fundamental technology needed for any platform that wants to allow playable media in a customizable way.

This is important, considering that the video streaming industry is currently valued at $544 billion and is expected to reach $1902 billion by 2030. This interest has grown with Generation Z becoming prominent prosumers of internet content at 34%.

Different types of live video streaming APIs perform various tasks on each platform. Some types of APIs are:

1. Video streaming API
2. Video platform API
3. Video player / Client-side APIs

API operates like a plugin supporting multiple devices in all these types. They are also easily adaptable, which makes transfers easy. It allows users to build their own mobile, web, or desktop applications by writing simple codes.

Best Live Streaming Platforms

An analysis in 2016 revealed that $16 billion was generated from mobile ads alone in the US. This was only possible due to streaming video API, which makes audiovisual media transferable and playable. Numerous broadcasting platforms offer streaming solutions of their own. The following is a list of them that have their API toolkits.

1. GUDSHO

This is one of the premium live streaming services with its own API toolkit and robust monetization plans.

GUDSHO’s video API helps users and craters manage their videos across multiple platforms. With enterprise-grade platform API, you can easily play the video on any other third-party website of your choice. It is undoubtedly one of the best APIs for live streaming.

Features:

Some of the features of GUDSHO’s platform API are:

• It’s flexible: This means that the videos you upload on GUDSHO can be easily transferred to other platforms for viewing.
• It is platform independent: The video and applications you create with this live video API work on Android, iOS web, Linux, etc. Its video transcoding API is easy to integrate across all operating systems, so you don’t have to write separate codes for each system.
• Analytics and Engagement tracking: GUDSHO’s platform API allows creators to look at their video’s performance analytics. You can access all the 360-degree analytics in one place, which can help you find areas of improvement quickly.
• Secure access: Only verified creators on GUDSHO can download API integration. All the data is encrypted, making it resistant to hackers and other cybersecurity threats.

2. Wowza

This is one of the oldest streaming platforms on the internet, founded in 2005. It’s highly customizable with multiple features that allow different kinds of broadcasts and Video Streaming Integration.

Wowza’s products include the Streaming Engine and the Streaming Cloud. The former is used wisely in the industry for self-broadcasted live streams and is a video hosting API. The latter is used to offer low-latency content through Cloud Video Streaming API to audiences worldwide.

Features:

• It offers embedded players.
• It is a white-label API.
• It offers data analytics for your videos.
• It provides low-latency solutions.
• It can accommodate an unlimited number of audiences.

3. Vimeo

The video encoding API of this platform has numerous features because Viemo has many years under its belt in the streaming race. It allows users and creators to control their privacy and have a flexible storage plan and transcoding options.

Vimeo’s video playback API is an important tool that developers use to transfer their Vimeo content onto other websites, apps, and other services. This enables creators to embed their videos on diverse mobile devices, allow screen-sharing and make streaming more interactive. Creators can use the Developer Site, references, and prior documents as guides.

Features:

• Offers high-quality Real-Time Video Streaming API.
• Users can easily customize their playbacks across multiple platforms.
• It offers powerful analytical tools to track metadata, manage videos, and find areas for improvement.

4. IBM Cloud Video

This platform was originally known as UStream and has been a part of the streaming acne for a while. It is a bit more expensive than its counterparts; however, it provides live and video on-demand streaming options.

IBM Cloud Video’s plans are basic but robust. The basic accounts can be set up for free with platform ad support. Paid accounts have the option to remove ads and access other advanced features; these include custom grading, multiple live channels, data analytics, content syndication, etc.

Features:

• It activates your videos automatically.
• Uses Watson Artificial Intelligence and embedded cognitive technology.
• It is playable on Twitter and Facebook/Meta.
• It offers strong password protection.
• It has referrer restrictions.

5. Agora

Tagline: This platform allows users to integrate video chats, audiovisual media, real-time recordings, live messages, and live streams into any application or website.

Overview: Creators can use Video Playback API and add-ons at additional costs, including sound effects, whiteboards, and AR facial masks. With a diverse range of pricing plans, Agora is a great option for businesses and creators on a budget.

Features:

• Low latency streams without hitches, buffering, and delays.
• Interactive audiovisual features like 3D spatial audio and AR masks.
• Hosts can seamlessly connect with audiences through Real-Time Video Streaming API, live chats, etc.
• Hosts can regulate and curate their audience interactions for added safety.

6. Kaltura

This Video Streaming Platform API is generally aimed at large organizations and institutions. Its areas of interest are in 4 markets: Educational institutes, media companies, OTT platforms, large corporations, and enterprises.

Kaltura’s Video Integration API enables cloud-based video broadcasting and distribution strategies. While the software is free, it needs an ecosystem and infrastructure to function at its best.

It has been most active with educational institutions in the past.

Features:

• It offers an intricate system of video analytics that helps creators inspect their performance and identify areas of improvement.
• It enables creators to increase their ROI and revenue with advanced ad delivery.
• As an open-source platform, updates and plugins are easy to install.
• It enables easy video streaming integration through the use of VPaaS API.

Conclusion

There is no better time and place for the online streaming landscape than now. Video production is getting increasingly competitive, with creators having access to buffering and start time metrics for on-demand videos. This makes it important for creators to keep updates on API for live streaming so that they can find the platform that suits their requirements the best.