21 Video Hosting Services for European Businesses Compared

With a clear focus:

• Video Hosting for Businesses: Professional services that can perfectly showcase your elaborately produced videos.
• Business Requirements: As a business, your needs differ from those of an individual. This starts with user management, customer service, enhanced privacy, analytics, GDPR compliance, and accessibility to meet the requirements of the European Accessibility Act.
• Use Cases for Businesses: Here, we differentiate between two major use cases. One is video hosting for integrating videos on your own website, and the other is distributing videos (e.g., via social networks or YouTube).

Communication without videos is hardly imaginable for businesses anymore. There are many providers on the market.

Key Questions to Consider:

• What are my requirements for video hosting? How many videos do I have? How much storage space do I really need?
• What are the key features? Which do I only need once or twice a year? (e.g., a livestream)
• Do I use a single provider for everything, which might not be as good in some areas? Or do I use specialized providers for each task?
• What is video hosting worth to me? How much money have I recently spent on my videos, and do I really save €100 a year at the risk of reaching only half the people?

Article and Providers Overview

We've taken a look and rated the most popular providers on the market for you. However, the article has become "somewhat" longer. Here you'll find all the contents at a glance and – with a click – quick access:

• Short Version: These Video Hosting Providers We Recommend for Businesses in Germany
• Key Features of a Professional Video Hosting Service
• Differences Between Free and Paid Video Hosting Platforms
• When in Doubt: Opt for Cookie-Free and EU-Based

1. Ignite Video Hosting – Best Option for Companies in Europe
   (Hosting in Europe (Germany) / Start at €9 per Month)
2. Vimeo – Top dog from the USA
   (Hosting outside the EU / about €40 per month)
3. YouTube – The Big One
   (Hosting outside the EU/ Free)
4. Wistia – For Marketing
   (Hosting outside the EU / packages from $24 per month)
5. Vidyard - For Sales
   (Hosting outside the EU / packages from $89 per month)
6. Brightcove - For media brands
   (Hosting inside the EU on request / from €10.000 a year)
7. Moving Image -With video production
   (Sever in Europa / Price on request)
8. Jetpack - Wordpress Video Hosting
   (Hosting outside the EU / packages from 5€ per month)
9. SproutVideo - for Live-Formats
   (Hosting outside the EU / packages from $10 to $300 per month)
10. Swarmify - Globaler Video CDN
    (Hosting outside the EU / packages from $80 per month)
11. Panopto - for E-Learning
    (Hosting outside the EU / packages about €7.000 a year)
12. Dailymotion - the European YouTube
    (Server in France / Free)
13. Twitch - THE Livestreaming Platform
    (Hosting outside the EU / free)
14. Spotlightr - for E-Learning Pros
    (Hosting outside the EU / packages from $15 per month)
15. Video.Taxi - for (Live) Transcription
    (Hosting outside the EU / packages from €100 to €1.000 per month)
16. Kaltura - for educational institutions
    (Hosting outside the EU / pricing on request)
17. Digibiz24 - a private video channel for members
    (Hosting outside the EU / packages from €50 per month)
18. Videolyser - small Vendor from Germany
    (Server in Germany / from €39 per month)
19. Cincopy - for Videos AND Images
    (Hosting outside the EU / packages from €30 per month)
20. JW Player - with Monetization
    (Hosting outside the EU / pirces on request)
21. DaCast - for Live-Streaming
    (Hosting outside the EU / packages from $39 per month)

• Conclusion and recommendation

Use Case 1 - Hosting Videos on Your Website:

➡️ Use Ignite Video.

Great value for money, everything is hosted exclusively in Germany, and unlike almost all providers, Ignite is not only GDPR-compliant but also cookie-free. While this may sound very technical, it ultimately brings you 40-60% more video views compared to platforms like Vimeo, as you don't have to overlay your videos with cookie banners. This gives you much more freedom in how you use your videos.

Use Case 2 - For Maximum Distribution:
➡️ YouTube.

If you want as many people as possible to see your videos outside your website, there's no getting around YouTube. It's one of the world's largest search engines. However, you may have to accept advertising in your videos. Using it to embed videos on your website is a poor option due to significant privacy concerns, even with the "NoCookie" version.

➡️ Good Setup with 2 - 3 Solutions

You see, you don't have to choose just one provider. It makes no sense to upload your videos to YouTube and then accept that they aren't viewed on your website. Simply choose two providers. This makes sense because it optimizes the distribution of your videos.

If you have specific requirements, for example, if you are a creator or involved in e-learning, etc., then you should choose a specialized provider for those needs.

Why should you opt for a specialized video hosting service? Uploading and embedding videos directly on your own web space, for example as an MP4 file, may seem like a simple solution for smaller websites. However, there are many reasons why a specialized video hosting service is a better choice:

• Fast Delivery: Videos are data-intensive content that can significantly affect the loading times of your website on conventional servers. Especially small servers or shared servers quickly reach their limits, which not only slows down your videos but also your entire website, degrades key metrics, and leads to poorer rankings on Google, among other things. Specialized video hosting services use optimized servers and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to ensure fast loading times worldwide.
• Customizability: Specialized video hosts offer customizable video players, detailed analytics tools, and accessible players that are often not available on standard webspace. Plus, you don't have to worry about maintenance. Current DIY solutions lead to problems due to lack of optimization for accessibility, and they do not meet the legal requirements of the European Accessibility Act.
• Legal Security: Most providers comply with GDPR. However, European providers offer an even higher level of security and do not rely on currently shaky international agreements (details). With international providers like YouTube or Vimeo, there is also a legal risk, even if their "NoCookie" or "DoNotTrack" options are used, as they still require explicit consent from users.
• High Quality: Video hosting services offer high-quality streams, customizable players, and additional features such as chapter markers or subtitles to optimally present the videos.
• API Integration: Many providers have an interface that allows direct connection to the website's own CMS. Especially if you work in larger teams, this is mostly indispensable.

A specialized video hosting service is essential if you value fast, secure, and professional presentation of your videos.

Why choose a paid provider when there’s YouTube? We've already discussed some details, but let's take another look at the key differences between free and paid providers:

• Advertising: Free services often finance themselves through advertisements displayed before, during, or after the video. You as a business might not see these ads, but your visitors do.
• Features and Tools: Honestly, the difference here is not that big. Especially if you look at YouTube, the range of features is very extensive, but ultimately not tailored to your needs as a business. Does anyone care if you're missing a feature or don't want it? No.
• Storage Space and Bandwidth: Free services typically have limitations on video size, the number of uploads, and available bandwidth, while premium services offer more storage space and bandwidth. Typically, the free service is just a bait-and-switch.
• Support: Premium services typically offer professional support with shorter response times and specialized assistance, whereas with free platforms, you're left to fend for yourself in the help section, and if you're out of luck, too bad.
• Conflicting Interests: While your primary goal is for people to watch your videos on your website, YouTube has an entirely different interest. It does everything with various buttons and logos to get people from your website to YouTube... and then never back.

Someone always pays in the end—if it's not you, then it's your visitors and customers. In doubt, with their data. Based on which, they then receive advertising – including from your competition, because the provider knows from the views on your website that the visitors are interested.

• Providers in Europe: Less stress with GDPR compliance for you. Ideally, with hosting in Europe. This way, you avoid transferring data abroad.

• Cookie-Free: It might sound technical at first, but ultimately, it leads to greater reach for your videos on your website. Why? Because otherwise, you are obligated to place cookie banners over your videos until your visitors have explicitly consented. This means more clicks and could cost you up to 60% of all views. Providers that are not only GDPR-compliant but also cookie-free can help you here.

• Provider based in Germany with hosting in Germany, reducing GDPR issues for you.
• Plans start at €9 per month for small businesses, with more comprehensive packages ranging from €70 to €160 per month

Ignite Video Hosting - A Top-Tier Solution Redefining Privacy for an Exceptional User Experience. Ignite specializes in seamlessly and efficiently integrating video content on websites. By combining privacy with user-centric design, Ignite provides a platform that respects user data and significantly boosts video views. Committed to privacy, Ignite allows up to 60% more site video views thanks to its cookie-free and consent-free hosting. It is particularly unrivaled for autoplay videos, ensuring no compromise on your website's UX.

Key Features of Ignite:

• Exclusive Cookie-Free Player: Ensures smooth playback without the need for cookie consents.
• Perfect Video Quality, Everywhere: Adaptive streaming technology guarantees optimal video quality under all conditions.
• Easy Integration: Videos can be embedded into any website or platform with a simple copy-and-paste.
• Customizable Player: The player can be visually tailored to match company branding.
• Accessibility and Compliance: Meets WCAG standards and ensures broad accessibility. With Ignite, you comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), mandatory in Europe.
• Comprehensive Video Management: Allows for easy video uploading, encoding, and organization.
• Privacy-Conscious Video Statistics: Provides anonymized insights into viewer behavior.

Costs:

• Starting at €9 for small businesses with nearly full functionality.
• Larger packages begin at around €70 and offer more videos and multiple user accounts.

Benefits of Ignite:

• Maximized User-Friendliness: Eliminating cookies and consent declarations significantly enhances the user experience and increases the reach of your videos.
• Privacy and GDPR Compliance: All videos are hosted in strict adherence to the General Data Protection Regulation.
• Efficiency in Management: The centralized management system simplifies the handling of video content.
• Security and Reliability: The privacy-focused architecture provides a secure environment for all hosted videos.

Our Opinion: Ignite is ideal for businesses seeking a reliable and user-friendly video hosting solution that takes privacy seriously while simultaneously maximizing the reach of their video content.

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe

• Cost: Generally paid, though there is a minimal free option available

Vimeo was created as a high-quality platform for professional video producers and creatives. Unlike YouTube, which primarily focuses on volume and reach, Vimeo targets a niche audience that values content quality and creative freedom. There are no automatic ad displays. Vimeo also supports the hosting of private and password-protected videos, as well as advanced analytics tools that provide more profound insights into viewer behavior.

Costs: Standard packages start at about €30 per month

Key Advantages at a Glance:

• No Advertising in Videos: Enjoy a clean viewing experience without interruptions.
• High-Quality Video Player: Delivers superior playback quality.
• Comprehensive Privacy Settings and Video Analytics: Offers extensive controls and detailed insights.

Our Opinion: Vimeo is an industry giant alongside YouTube. It's a viable option. However, we recommend a provider from Germany and have compared Vimeo with Ignite here. You'll have less GDPR hassle, reach more people, and it won’t cost more, as Vimeo still requires a cookie overlay even in the DoNotTrack version. Features like autoplay video are virtually impossible with it.

See the difference this makes in this example, where Ignite has taken over hosting from Vimeo. (Details)

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe
• Cost: Free for almost everything

Let’s be honest—what more is there to say? It’s YouTube! The world's largest video hosting platform, offering both free and premium video hosting services. It serves as a platform for individual content creators as well as major media companies.

Costs: Free for basic uploading and watching videos; YouTube Premium offers ad-free streaming and additional features for a monthly fee.

Pros:

• Huge reach and a diverse audience
• Strong integration with Google’s ad network for monetization
• Comprehensive analytics tools to track viewer engagement

Cons:

• Ads, ads, ads, ads...
• Privacy concerns and copyright handling can be tricky

Our Opinion:

For your own website, YouTube is a bad option. For reach on YouTube itself, it makes sense. If you're looking for a solid hosting solution for your website, we recommend Ignite (see above), which integrates well with YouTube.

For us, the biggest issue with YouTube is the advertising — what company wants ads (especially from competitors) before and during its videos just to save a few euros? Just because many businesses use it doesn’t mean it’s a practical option.

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe

• Cost: Paid, but a very limited free version is available

Wistia is tailored for video marketing in businesses, offering tools to measure and boost video engagement. The focus is on marketing, meaning lead generation and data collection are key features.

Costs: There’s a free version, but it’s very limited. Paid plans range from $24 to $399 per month.

Pros:

• Detailed analytics tools to track viewer engagement

• Supports lead generation through video marketing

• Customizable video players to strengthen brand identity

Cons:

• Higher costs compared to simpler hosting solutions

• Might be overkill for basic video hosting needs

Our Opinion:

If you can, capture leads yourself instead of relying on Wistia. This avoids extra cookies and improves performance. If that’s not an option, Wistia can be a good choice for marketing-specific use cases. However, it’s worth considering using a different provider for standard website videos to avoid unnecessary complexity and costs.

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe

• Cost: Free version available, paid plans start at $89/month

Vidyard is a video platform designed specifically to boost sales and provide insights into viewer behavior. It offers tools for video creation, hosting, analytics, and integration with marketing and sales automation tools.

Costs: There’s a free version, but like many others, it’s more of a lead-in offer. The first paid plan starts at $89/month, with Enterprise plans going much higher.

Pros:

• Advanced analytics to optimize viewer engagement
• Personalized video features for targeted marketing and sales
• Solid screen recording capabilities
• Seamless integration with CRM and marketing automation tools

Cons:

• The free version is very limited and won’t be enough for most users

• The wide range of features requires a learning curve

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe, EU hosting only available on request

• Cost: Enterprise-level provider, reportedly starts at €10,000 per year

Brightcove is a video hosting platform tailored for large enterprises, offering a broad range of tools for video marketing and monetization. It’s known for its robust technology and scalability, making it a popular choice for media companies.

Costs: Pricing is customized based on features and usage. There are no public prices available, but many reports suggest packages start at €10,000 per year and can increase significantly.

Pros:

• Extensive options for monetizing videos
• Advanced security features and access controls

Cons:

• Can be overkill for many businesses
• Might be too complex for smaller companies or non-technical users
• Higher costs than simpler platforms, with opaque pricing

Our Opinion:

Brightcove can be a great fit for media companies. Many large corporations use it, even when they don’t necessarily need to. In the end, they pay a high and often non-transparent price. The video players offered for websites look a bit outdated to us.

• Servers in Europe
• Paid service, pricing available on request

Moving Image is a specialized platform for enterprise customers who need to manage and distribute complex video content. It offers advanced video management, security, and analytics tools, tailored to corporate needs. Additionally, video production is available in Germany.

Costs

Pricing depends on the service level and features required; detailed pricing information is only available on request.

Pros

• Comprehensive video management system
• Advanced analytics tools for performance tracking
• Robust security features to protect video content

Cons

• May be too expensive for small businesses or individual users

• Complex platform that requires some onboarding time

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe
• Paid service

Jetpack Video Hosting is a solution designed specifically for WordPress users, allowing for seamless integration of video content into WordPress websites. It is part of the Jetpack plugin suite, which includes various security and performance tools for WordPress sites.

Costs: Video hosting is included in higher-tier Jetpack subscriptions, with pricing varying based on selected features. Generally, plans start at €5 per month.

Pros

• Seamless integration into WordPress, allowing video hosting and management directly within the CMS

• Optimized videos for fast loading times and minimal bandwidth usage

• No ads in videos

Cons

• Limited to WordPress users

• Additional cost as part of the Jetpack subscription

Our Opinion

Better than just uploading MP4 files to your website, but did you know that Ignite (see above) also offers a WordPress plugin? This gives you seamless integration with hosting in Germany, far less GDPR hassle, and ultimately more reach for your videos. 🚀

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe
• Paid service

SproutVideo is a video hosting platform for businesses, specializing in secure video hosting and live-streaming. It offers comprehensive video management tools, allowing businesses to share content securely, analyze audience engagement, and implement effective video marketing strategies.

Costs: Plans start at $10 per month but can quickly rise to $300 per month depending on features and usage.

Pros

• Strong security features such as password protection and access control

• Detailed analytics to monitor viewer interaction

• Supports marketing and sales strategies through lead capture and integrations

Cons

• May be overkill for smaller businesses or those without strict security needs

• Higher costs compared to simpler video hosting solutions

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe

• Paid service

Swarmify is a video hosting platform focused on seamless streaming and high playback quality. Its technology is designed to eliminate buffering and maximize bandwidth efficiency.

Costs: Pricing starts at $80 per month and scales up to $180 per month, depending on the plan.

Pros

• No ads in videos, ensuring a clean viewing experience
• Bandwidth optimization reduces data traffic costs

Cons

• Limited features compared to more comprehensive video hosting platforms

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe
• Paid service

Panopto is a video management and e-learning platform designed to support the entire lifecycle of video-based learning. It provides powerful tools for creating, managing, and securely sharing video content, making it ideal for educational institutions and businesses.

Costs: Pricing isn’t publicly available, but comparison platforms estimate around €7,000 per year.

Pros

• Comprehensive tools for video creation and editing
• Integrated AI features for automatic transcription and translation

Cons

• May be overkill for smaller organizations without a need for advanced features
• Requires training and technical knowledge for setup and operation
• Expensive compared to simpler solutions

• Warning: Servers are primarily in France, but not exclusively in Europe
• Free service

Dailymotion is a video hosting platform that offers a wide range of content from users worldwide. It serves as a platform for both professional media producers and independent content creators—essentially a European alternative to YouTube.

Costs: free, with optional premium features for enhanced control and monetization.

Pros

• Global reach with a diverse selection of content
• Monetization options for professional users

Cons

• Frequent and intrusive ads during video playback
• Even the dashboard is filled with ads

Our Opinion: We’re not quite sure where to place Dailymotion. On the one hand, it’s great to have a European alternative to YouTube, but unless you’re a media company, what’s the point? For embedding videos on your website, it’s not really a good fit.

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe
• Usually free

Twitch is primarily a live-streaming platform focused on video games, entertainment, and creative content. It allows users to stream live content and interact with their community in real-time.

Costs: Free for basic features, with optional subscription models for additional features and streamer support.

Pros

• Strong community interaction and real-time communication
• Focused on gaming and live entertainment
• Monetization options through subscriptions and donations

Cons

• Not ideal for traditional video hosting
• Lower reach for non-gaming content

Our Opinion

Twitch is perfect for content creators who want to interact in real-time and build a strong connection with their audience. It is THE go-to platform for live streaming. 🎮🚀

• Warning: Hosting outside of Europe
• Paid service

Spotlightr is a specialized video hosting platform designed for course creators and e-learning professionals. It offers not only video hosting but also powerful marketing tools to help users scale their online courses.

Costs: Plans range from $15 to $195 per month.

Pros

• Tailored for course creators and e-learning, with built-in marketing tools
• HLS encryption for better content protection
• Customizable video players for seamless brand integration

Cons

• The many options can make it tricky to find specific settings
• Storage limits can be restrictive, and without the more expensive Turbo bandwidth package, hosting speed may suffer

Our Opinion: If you don’t do e-learning, this isn’t for you. The $15 entry package is quickly maxed out, as 50 GB of storage won’t get you far with e-learning content.

• Provider based in Germany with German hosting
• Paid service

Video.Taxi is a video hosting and streaming platform designed for quick and easy live streaming and video-on-demand. It specifically caters to businesses that require high-quality live transcription in German.

Costs: Pricing starts at €140 per month and goes up to €1,000 per month, depending on the package.

Pros

• Easy live streaming setup with instant broadcasting capability
• Supports video-on-demand with solid monetization options

Cons

• Limited functionality compared to more comprehensive platforms
• May not be ideal for complex enterprise needs

• Warning: Servers located outside the EU
• Paid service

Kaltura is a comprehensive video management, hosting, and streaming platform tailored for educational institutions and enterprises. It enables the creation, management, and distribution of multimedia content through an open and highly customizable cloud-based platform.

Costs: Pricing is on request, which typically suggests a high-cost model.

Pros

• Extensive video management features with integration into educational and corporate systems

• Full support for live streaming and video-on-demand

Cons

• Not very intuitive for new users, often causing frustration

• Reports of technical issues and bugs slowing down video uploads

• Customer support is often criticized as inadequate, leading to a poor overall experience

• Warning: Server outside the EU
• Paid service

Digibiz24, formerly known as Coachannel, is a platform specialized in marketing digital products and services. It provides comprehensive tools for online marketing, sales funnels, membership management, and digital content distribution—particularly geared toward coaches, trainers, and online course providers.

Costs: Pricing starts at €50 per month and goes up to €300 per month, depending on the package.

Pros

• Designed specifically for online entrepreneurs and e-learning professionals
• Strong integrations for automated marketing and sales processes

Cons

• Heavy focus on monetization limits flexibility in other areas

• German company with servers in Germany
• Paid service

Videolyser is a video hosting platform tailored for solo entrepreneurs, mid-sized businesses, and corporations in Germany. It provides a comprehensive system, including video hosting, a video player, and marketing tools.

Costs: €39 to €59 per month with monthly billing. Lower prices available for annual payments

Pros

• Strong focus on privacy and security, fully GDPR-compliant

• Specifically designed for the German market, with servers in Germany

Cons

• Limited customization options for users who need extensive personalization

• No clear information on accessibility (uncertain if EAA-compliant)

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe
• Paid service

Cincopa is a comprehensive platform for video and image management. It offers solutions for video hosting, live-streaming, video messaging, and much more, making it suitable for a wide range of applications such as e-learning, internal communication, and marketing.

Costs: Starts at $30 per month, with packages going up to $420 per month.

Pros

• Offers various media management tools, including a central media library

• Supports effective collaboration through invites for internal and external collaborators

Cons

• If you’re only looking for video hosting, you’ll be paying for features related to images as well

• Possible additional costs for advanced features and higher storage requirements

• Warning: Hosting outside of Europe. Europe may be possible on request
• Paid service

JW Player is a comprehensive end-to-end platform for delivering and monetizing video content, specifically designed for video-based businesses. It offers solutions for live streaming, video-on-demand, and advanced monetization options through ads (AVOD, SVOD, TVOD).

Costs: No transparent pricing online – likely a high-cost model.

Pros

• Supports a variety of video formats and fast video delivery

• Customizable video players that work across different platforms and devices

Cons

• Costs can be relatively high for small businesses or individuals

• Warning: Servers located outside of Europe
• Paid service

Dacast is a comprehensive live-streaming and video hosting platform designed for businesses, offering services for streaming live events, webinars, and video-on-demand. The platform provides robust streaming solutions with a wide range of features, including paywall integrations for monetizing content.

Costs: Plans start at $39 per month and go up to $165 per month.

Pros

• Provides advanced streaming features and high reliability

• Enables monetization through various payment models

Cons

• Primarily a solution for live-streaming, but limited in other use cases

What have you probably noticed?

• Everyone seems to offer everything, or at least they claim to.

• Prices vary significantly and are often opaque, with many likely being costly. And if you provide your data, get ready for a sales bombardment.

You could spend endless hours diving into the details. One thing we noticed: many websites look aesthetically pleasing, but when you get to the backend, it feels like outdated software—slow, clunky, and poor UX.

What would we recommend?

Test the options available to you.

Clarify your needs: Many platforms are specialized, and that's a good thing!

Now, back to our initial recommendation:

For your website: Go with Ignite. For reach: Go with YouTube. The two work well together!