Best Pay-Per-View Video Platforms for Streamers & Creators

If you’re interested in monetizing your video content, using pay-per-view video platforms is a great way to do just that.

The right pay-per-view video platform helps you deliver professional live streams that take your content to the next level and increase your appeal to more viewers. 

If you’re scratching your head trying to find the best platform for your pay-per-view streaming needs, we’ve got you covered. 

Here are the best pay-per-view video hosting platforms available, based on features, capabilities, and pricing.

Let’s get to it.

What is pay-per-view video streaming?

Pay-per-view (PPV) video streaming is a monetization model for online video content where viewers pay a fee to watch a specific video or event. Unlike subscription-based services, which require recurring payments for access to a library of content, PPV charges viewers individually for each piece of content they want to watch.

How does PPV work?

PPV is possible due to a collection of features that manage the availability and access of content. PPV video platforms host content that users can sign up for and purchase for a one-time fee, and where determined, a set timeframe.

PPV video platforms handle each transaction, processing payments and distributing content users have paid for.

In cases where users rent content, access to media is revoked after a predetermined number of views or timeframe has lapsed.

Benefits of pay-per-view video streaming platforms

• Direct revenue generation: PPV platforms allow you to earn money directly from your audience without relying on ads or sponsorships. Each purchase generates immediate income, which is especially valuable for niche or specialized content.
• Control over pricing and distribution: You can set your own prices based on the perceived value of your content, the cost of production, or the market demand. You can also control the distribution of their content, deciding whether to offer it as a live event, on-demand, or both.
• Increased profit margins: By cutting out advertisers or third-party distributors, PPV platforms typically produce higher profit margins per viewer compared to other monetization models.
• Enhanced content security: Many PPV platforms offer Digital Rights Management (DRM) tools to protect content from piracy and unauthorized sharing, helping to maintain its exclusivity and value.
• Audience insights and analytics: PPV platforms usually provide detailed analytics about viewer behavior, such as who is watching, how long they watch, and when they purchase. These insights can help creators refine their content strategy, pricing, and marketing efforts.
• Flexible content offerings: Creators can experiment with different types of content. Everything from live events to exclusive releases, limited-time screenings, or special editions are fair game. Because each piece of content can be sold separately, you don’t have to worry about how each type of content affects your subscription model.
• Niche audience targeting and unique event-based opportunities: PPV is ideal for niche markets where viewers are willing to pay for specific content like specialized sports, independent films, or workshops. It allows you to target these audiences effectively.
• Global reach: PPV platforms can be accessed by audiences worldwide, giving content creators reach into international markets without the need for regional distribution deals.
• Lower entry barriers: Creators, especially smaller ones, can enter the market without the need for large upfront investments or long-term commitments. PPV platforms provide the infrastructure needed to host, stream, and monetize content.

Things To Consider When Choosing a Pay-Per-View Video Platform

Choosing a PPV platform is an important decision for the next phase of your business. And, there are probably lots of features and tools you’re looking for in the perfect platform.

But, there are 8 things I think everyone should consider when doing their research, because they will have a large impact on how profitable, easy, and secure your business is to run:

1. Monetization: does the platform offer you high flexibility in how you earn, like being able to choose between one-time transactions and subscription payments?
2. Revenue share: what percentage of your sales will the platform take, and is that manageable alongside any monthly fees?
3. Content management: does the platform allow you to easily manage your content, and customize the viewing environment?
4. Content delivery: can the platform stream your videos at the quality you need it to? And, do they offer live streaming? 
5. Security: does the platform protect your content and data using tools like encryption, watermarking, and geo-restrictions?
6. Support: do they have a customer support team to help you solve issues?
7. Long-term scalability: does the platform have the tools to support your growth, or will you need to change long-term?
8. Mobile & OTT streaming: does the PPV platform allow you to stream on multiple platforms or devices, or even have the option to upgrade and grow?

It’s important for you to find a solution that ticks as many of these relevant boxes as possible, because these are harder to compromise on than any combination of features.

Top Pay-Per-View Video Platforms At A Glance

	G2 Rating	Best For	Pricing
Uscreen	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.8 out of 5	experienced content creators looking to add community to their PPV content	Starting from $149 / month
Muvi	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.7 out of 5	multi-format pay-per-view content	Starting from $399 / month
Vplayed	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.8 out of 5	entertainment-focused content creators	Only custom pricing available.
Dacast	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5 out of 5	enterprise solutions and PPV access to online events	Starting from $39 / month
Kaltura	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.3 out of 5	creators that want full creative control over their platform	Only custom pricing available.
Backlight Streaming	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.3 out of 5	Traditional media publishers	Only custom pricing available.

The 6 Best Pay-Per-View Video Platforms, Ranked And Reviewed!

1. Uscreen

Best for: experienced content creators looking to add community to their PPV content

G2 Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Uscreen is an all-in-one membership platform built for video creators that’s helped them earn $150+ million each year! 

We help you to unlock the potential of pay-per-video video streaming for your content, by building a business beyond one-off transactions that focuses on selling memberships and community.

With Uscreen, you can easily create a pay-per-view platform using multiple content monetization models, like:

• One-off transactions
• Subscription models
• Premium video on-demand

All on your own branded video streaming website, with a Netflix-style video player and customizable video library. 

We offer exceptional support and security — just read our G2 Reviews! — to make sure your business is built on a strong and safe foundation.

Then, when you’re ready, we can support you in growing you business by moving towards your own branded TV and mobile streaming apps.

We’ve created our plans to fit creators’ needs at lots of different levels of business maturity, and we’ve built our revenue share model to ensure you’re getting paid the right amount for your content.

If you’re a creator who wants to build a long-term membership business, with community spaces and video streaming across multiple platforms, then Uscreen is a great option to explore.

Uscreen’s Key Features:

• Live streaming: Supports streaming on any device, live chat, pay-per-view, donations, and a live streaming calendar for better interaction and monetization.
• Viewer experience: Offers customizable playlists, content filtering, auto-play, and collections to enhance user viewing.
• Mobile & TV apps: Native apps on 7 platforms like iOS and Android with features like in-app purchases, personalized playlists, offline viewing, and push notifications.
• Built-in community: Features user-generated content, posts with video integration, interactive challenges, an AI content creation assistant, and a channel-based feed to boost engagement.
• Marketing tools: A no-code website builder, APIs, email marketing, lead generation, audience nurturing, and win-back strategies with a free trial offer.
• Analytics: Flexible monetization with 0% fee on purchases, detailed analytics by author/device, revenue reports, subscriber insights, and integrated payments.

Uscreen Pros

• ✅ Netflix-style viewing experience
• ✅ Multiple monetization options to generate revenue
• ✅ Advanced analytics
• ✅ Suite of marketing tools
• ✅ Exceptional customer support
• ✅ Best-in-class security 
• ✅ Branded mobile apps
• ✅ Simple payment system

Cons of Using Uscreen

• ❌ No standalone video hosting
• ❌ Unable to embed videos to an external website

Uscreen Pricing

• Growth: $149 per month + $1.99 per paid member, per month. Best for creators focused on growing a small video membership online.
• Pro: $499 per month + $0.99 per paid member, per month. Best for serious creators growing a robust community on mobile & web.
• Plus: Custom pricing. Best for established creators needing full brand control on all devices. 

It’s simple with Uscreen.

Build, launch and manage your membership, all in one place.

Start Free Trial

2. Muvi

Best for: multi-format pay per view content 

G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5

Muvi specializes in scalable over-the-top video streaming platforms. Its out-of-the-box tailoring makes it a solid choice for anyone from beginner to seasoned content creators 

Their pay per view video platform is a great choice for anyone looking to take advantage of different content formats. Muvi allows you to create and sell both audio and video content, which can be a great option for video podcasters and one-off course creators looking to use transactional video. 

Live streaming and video on demand come as standard, giving you more variation of content types, allowing you to round out your content library and meet your users in a way that suits them. And, they have all the content management capabilities to cope with all of this content to boot! 

Variety is the name of the game for Muvi, and they offer 9 different video monetization methods — including pay-per-view —giving you a high level of flexibility. And, they’ll let you keep 100% of your revenue.

Muvi’s pricing is more like that of a video hosting provider, where they focus on the number of accounts, bandwidth, and storage, meaning you can do a lot with lower-tier packages if you can find a workaround, and pay for only what you use. It’s also worth noting that Muvi charges infrastructure fees for bandwidth and storage after you reach your free limit. 

Muvi’s key features:

• An HTML5 video player that’s compatible across all devices.
• The ability to create live streaming channels and reach anyone, anywhere.
• Build your own audio and video streaming platforms, like Tidal or Netflix.
• Video monetization that covers pay-per-view, subscriptions, and more
• A post-event content library so people can still watch later. 

Muvi Pros

• ✅ 9 possible video monetization methods
• ✅ 100% revenue retention
• ✅ Supports video and audio content
• ✅ Ability to sell physical goods like Merch

Muvi Cons 

• ❌ Limited branding and design options
• ❌ No marketing tools
• ❌ Complicated storage and bandwidth pricing

Muvi Pricing

Muvi has 4 different plan options:

• Standard: Their lowest tier provides 2 admin accounts and a shared server. You get 1TB of bandwidth to work on and 1TB of storage.
• Professional: This improves upon the Standard plan by adding 5 admin accounts while increasing bandwidth and storage capacity to 2TB.
• Enterprise: Includes everything in the Professional plan and increases your admin accounts to 10. It gives you a dedicated server, 5TB of bandwidth, and 5TB of storage. 
• Ultimate: You get everything from the Enterprise plan. You’ll also get unlimited admin accounts, double the bandwidth, and double the storage.

3. VPlayed (Formerly Contus)

Best for: entertainment-focused content creators.

G2 Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (note: only 10 reviews at the time of writing)

Vplayed — formerly Contus Vplayed — is a pay-per-view video platform that’s primarily designed for creators who want to build a business around entertainment-focused PPV streams. 

They provide one of the most customizable solutions in this list, 

giving you complete control over the look and feel of your platform. They also emphasize security with advanced encryption types that protect your content This has helped them to become a prolific pay-per-view tool in developing and multilingual markets, like Brazil, Indonesia, and India. 

Vplayed also boasts a suite of over 1,000 streaming features, alongside flexible pricing and 100% revenue retention, making them a great starting ppv platform for a media production company. (You can even start with advertising-based video, if it’s a lower barrier to entry to drive revenue growth!)

VPlayed’s key features:

• Completely customizable solution
• 200+ integrations with external platforms and APIs
• App and subscriber-focused platform
• Cloud and on-site video hosting platform

VPlayed Pros

• ✅ 100% revenue retention
• ✅ AVOD, SVOD, TVOD, PPV video monetization
• ✅ Advanced security with AES encryption
• ✅ Flexible video hosting

VPlayed Cons 

• ❌ Expensive one-time license fee
• ❌ Complex customizations
• ❌ Not focused on audience engagement
• ❌ Unproven in more developed markets

VPlayed Pricing

Vplayed’s solutions are all custom and they set their prices based on your business needs. Reach out to their team to get an accurate quote.

4. Dacast

Best for: enterprise solutions and PPV access to online events.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Dacast is a versatile pay-per-view video platform. They specialize in video hosting, video on demand, and live events, with a focus on reducing the technical barriers to launching your video 

They’re most commonly used in enterprise streaming, media and entertainment, sporting events, and even educational live streaming.

Their platform is white-label to give you a high level of control over the look and feel of your content catalog and delivery. Though customizations can be complicated, there are some simple options to help you get started.

Much like Muvi, Dacast’s model feels a little more like you’re choosing the right video hosting provider, over a video streaming platform, because their infrastructure is built to reduce bandwidth costs and improve your broadcast quality. Everything is in aid of the best quality stream!

Dacast does charge a premium when it comes to revenue share, though. You’ll also be expected to pay a 9.9% commission plus an additional $0.40c charge for any PPV streams that you sell, making it an expensive ppv platform for those on smaller budgets.

Dacast’s key features:

• Customize your video player and add branding. 
• Live stream content to viewers around the world. 
• Bring quality content with a HTML5 player. 
• Understand viewer habits with their analytics. 
• Use different subscription models. 
• Organize and manage videos through their portal. 
• Monetize through AVOD, SVOD, or TVOD. 

Pros Of Using Dacast

• ✅ White-label video player
• ✅ Full stack of live streaming and on-demand videos
• ✅ Global reach through top-tier content delivery networks
• ✅ Ad-based monetization available

Cons Of Using DaCast

• ❌ 9.9% commission on PPV sales
• ❌ Issues with video performance for lower-tier plans
• ❌ Complicated customizations 

Dacast Pricing

DaCast works on a subscription pricing model at these 3 tiers:

• Starter: $39/month
• Event: $63/month
• Scale: $188/month

For PPV transactions you’ll also be expected to pay a 9.9% commission plus an additional $0.40c charge. If that puts you off, read on for more pay per view platforms, or check out our article specifically on Dacast alternatives.

5. Kaltura

Best for: creators that want full creative control over their platform

G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5

Kaltura focuses on video content management with an emphasis on customization. It’s a great choice for broadcasters who desire complete creative control over their own website.

Its many CDN partnerships give it reliable coverage around the world, which is a must for live-streaming content. 

It’s scaled to support a large body of users and is popular among educational markets.

Kaltura’s key features:

• Quizzing features that reinforce course material.
• A centralized online video hub to manage video-on-demand content. 
• Captioning and translation services to reach global audiences. 
• Advanced video analytics to make sense out of your data.
• Large scale streaming options to reach unlimited audiences.

While Kaltura may be a better fit for a more established operation, its capabilities make it one of the best pay-per-view website platforms on the market.

Kaltura Pros

• ✅ Great for educational content
• ✅ Interactive video to customize streaming service
• ✅ Emphasis on accessibility features
• ✅ Extensive API integrations

Kaltura Cons 

• ❌ Steep learning curve
• ❌ Focused on large and legacy institutions
• ❌ Less familiar video interface
• ❌ Costs more than similar alternatives

Kaltura Pricing

Kaltura’s pricing isn’t explicitly stated on their website, and many third-party estimations are unverified. So, you would need to contact them for a quote.

6. Backlight Streaming (Formerly: Zype)

Best for: traditional media publishers

G2 Rating: 4.3 out of 5

Backlight Streaming is a new name in the world of pay-per-view video platforms. But, it’s a new name for a combination of 2 well-established streaming services: Zype and Wildmoka.

Backlight is, at its core, a content management system built on its own cloud platform. This has allowed them to become a video provider that focuses on making complex PPV video content sales simple, especially for traditional media publishers that might be selling hundreds of pay-per-view products at the same time. 

This means their focus is heavily on content delivery and navigation. One of the stand-out features is the search function for content catalogs, making finding content easy.

They have a global and secure network of content delivery networks that maintain streaming speeds, and can offer support for multilingual audiences around the world.

You have the scope to build your own video streaming app long-term, and if you have a technical team, the right developers can fully customize any aspect of your streaming website.

Backlight’s Key Features:

• The ability to upload videos in bulk
• Live streaming to multiple social platforms, like Facebook Live and Twitch, at the same time
• Multi-CDN support for fast and dependable content delivery
• Supports large corporate events
• Developers with full control over customization 
• Easy-to-use tools to build your own streaming app

Backlight Streaming Pros

• ✅ Intuitive tools to design streaming sites and apps
• ✅ Unique content catalog designs with in-built search functions
• ✅ Large content delivery network and multi-region configurations
• ✅ Multi-lingual support options

Backlight Streaming Cons

• ❌ Limited reporting
• ❌ Built for more traditional media publishers

Backlight Streaming Pricing

Backlight Streaming has stopped sharing their prices for this pay per view video platform openly.

Reports suggest prices start at $500 but you’ll need to request a demo to get the most up to date information.

How To Price Your Pay Per View Video Content

Now you’ve got a better idea of which pay per view video platform you’re going to choose for video streaming, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll price your PPV videos.

There are a few things to consider for your video pricing strategy:

1. Your audience’s willingness to pay

Pricing starts with understanding your audience. How ready are they to pay for content like yours? And, what would that content look like?

You might have built an audience through, say, live streams. But they might only be willing to pay for exclusive on demand recordings. Or, the inverse might be true!

Many membership owners underestimate the value they bring to members. I recently heard an interview where a membership creator discussed their pricing strategy on Patreon. They believed they couldn’t change prices due to legal restrictions until they learned about annual memberships. They instinctively set their monthly prices at $5.99, assuming that’s the “best” price for their membership business. When they discovered their competitors were charging $15 and upwards, there was a jaw-dropping moment: how can we replicate that, we left so much money on the table, and relief in the sense of we know what we’ve got to do now.

Joe Horowitz, VP Growth & Analytics, Uscreen

Getting an answer to this question can be as simple as asking them through surveys sent out with email marketing, or reaching out in an existing community space. And, if you can’t do either of those, you can use the other points in the list to guesstimate! 

2. Your niche & the demand for ppv videos

Different niches work best with different price points. 

Let’s look at 2 sides of the entertainment industry to understand this a little better.

If you sell videos online in the form of TV or movies, that’s become more of a commodity through platforms like Netflix and Apple TV, with lower price points. It’s normal for a Hollywood blockbuster to sell for $5! 

On the other hand, Filmmakers Academy sells videos educating people on how to become a better filmmaker. A much more in-demand skill — with fewer people creating that style of content — which allows for a higher price point.

They’re able to charge up to $500+ per year for access to their content, because of the niche they’re in.

Doing a deep dive into your niche and what it’s possible to charge for pay per view video content, based on demand, is going to help you set the right price. It can also help if you “steal” from your competition 👀

3. Your competitors

Pay close attention to what your competitors are charging for access to their streaming platform, and see what you can learn about how you should be charging.

There are some great industry benchmarks that you can start with, that will give you a solid starting part:

But doing the competitor research is going to be important as well. You’ll want to look at the price points they charge, and look what people get as part of that access:

• Is it just access to a single piece of pay per view video content, or do they get unlimited access?
• Are there different prices for desktop and mobile streaming?
• Is the price different for a live event vs. an on demand recording?
• Do they charge more for access to streaming apps?

Knowing this can help you split your content out into different tiers and pricing models.

4. Your video streaming pricing tiers

One of the best parts about pay per view video platforms is that many of them will let you set different pricing tiers. That means charging more money for different levels of access or content.

These tiers are a great way to help you drive revenue growth and also collect data on which pricing models work best to sell your videos online.

In smaller settings, the more you can increase the parasocial content on your membership, the more valuable it becomes. To be able to produce more content and increase community engagement in its small setting, you need to raise prices.

Chris Sharpe, Co-founder and COO at Find What Feels Good 

For example, let’s say you’re building your pay per view business as a sports streaming website. You could set up your pricing model like:

• Top Fan: access to the live event, a recording, and the community area
• Matchday access: access to the live event only
• Casual supporter: access to the recording only

This is a simple but effective way to earn more money and make your video content go further!

5. Your Revenue Goals

Finally, consider how much you want (or need to earn) from your streaming platform. 

You should raise your prices at least every 2 years and consider offering annual memberships as they’re important for offering high-value memberships and generating a stable business. Our data shows that for annual memberships, churn rates are relatively lower, and customer lifetime value (LTV) is significantly higher than monthly memberships.

Joe Horowitz, VP Growth & Analytics, Uscreen

Ask yourself, what are your revenue goals, and how can you build your business to meet them?

This is a big question to try and answer. But, don’t worry. We’ve built a pricing calculator that can do a lot of the leg work for you! 

Wrapping This Up…

You deserve to get the most money for your content, and selecting the right pay-per-view video platform can help ensure that happens. 

Putting your content behind a paywall puts money in your pocket with each view.

Uscreen can make that happen while also helping you engage with your audience regardless of their location.

It’s simple with Uscreen.

Build, launch and manage your membership, all in one place.

Start Free Trial

Pay-Per-View video platforms FAQ