Video Monetization

Best Video Monetization Platforms for Creators in 2024 – Expert Reviewed

By Peri Elmokadem, Aarushi Singh and Noah Landsberg
13 Min Read

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Choosing the right platform to monetize your video content can be overwhelming with the many options out there. 

But don’t worry – we’ve got your back! 

In this article, we’ll guide you through the different types of video monetization and what to consider when choosing a platform. We’ll dive into expert insights on the top video monetization platforms for 2024, helping you make an informed decision. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

The Top Video Monetization Platforms at a Glance

G2 ratingBest forPricing
Uscreen4.8 out of 5Video creators looking to create a community-driven membership to monetize their videos.Starting at $149 per month.
VPlayed4.8 out of 5Medium to large-sized companies, and enterprise businesses who are looking for a long-term solution to establish their video monetization businesses.Contact for pricing
Patreon4.1 out of 5Part-time creators looking for a simple, easy-to-use subscription model that offers exclusive member-only access to their work.Starting from 5% of monthly income. 
Vimeo4.3 out of 5Beginner video creators who need a user-friendly, ad-free platform to monetize  videos.Starting from $24 per month. 
Muvi4.7 out of 5Creators looking to build video-on-demand channels with an e-commerce focus.Starting at $199 per month. 
Dacast4.5 out of 5Professional broadcasters and businesses needing a comprehensive live streaming service.Starting from $39 per month.
Kajabi4.3 out of 5Video course creators looking for a more traditional learning management system.Starting from $119 per month. 
Brightcove4 out of 5Businesses looking for a tailor-made package for video hosting and monetization.Contact sales directly for pricing. 
Restream4.3 out of 5Video creators looking to maximize live streaming revenue through multistreaming across multiple platforms.Free plan available. 
YouTubeN/ANew creators and those looking for a platform with access to a global audience.Free.

The Types of Video Monetization 

Before diving into the top platforms, it’s good to explore the different types of video monetization and the key factors to consider when choosing the right platform for you. 

Know exactly what you’re looking for? Feel free to skip ahead to the list of platforms.

When it comes to monetizing your video content, you have two main paths: social media platforms like YouTube, or dedicated video monetization platforms. 

screenshot of YouTube's homepage - the most well known video monetization platform

Social media platforms are great for reaching large audiences and can provide access to ad revenue. However, they come with strict content guidelines, less control over branding, and often unpredictable income with the possibility of demonetization or decreasing ad revenue.

Can you use YouTube as a video monetization platform? Yes, and we’ve included it in our list of platforms.

But we caution you from using it as your home base. In fact, YouTube is best used as a marketing platform. It should drive traffic and viewers to a platform.

Dedicated video monetization platforms offer way more control and customization. These are the best video monetization platforms for creators with an established audience looking to create a more consistent and professional revenue stream. They provide various monetization options tailored to your needs, allowing you to engage your audience more deeply and build a community around your brand.

That’s why, for this article, we’ll be focusing on dedicated video monetization platforms, perfect for those ready to take their content to the next level. 

How to Make Money with Video Monetization Platforms

There are many ways you, as a creator, can monetize your content, so it’s crucial to choose the right video monetization method for your business. 

Each method offers unique benefits and caters to different types of content and audiences. Knowing which methods you want to use is a good starting point when choosing your video monetization platform, so let’s dive into each type to help you find the perfect fit for your business.

PVOD (Premium Video on Demand)

PVOD lets you sell your videos before they’re widely released. This approach generates higher revenue from exclusive (early) access and helps test market interest in premium content. By giving your superfans the chance to see your latest video content first, you build a dedicated community that values your content.

SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand)

find what feels good's subscription pricing rate for their video monetization platform

Video subscription platforms charge a recurring fee for unlimited access to a content library, often on a monthly or annual basis – think Netflix or Disney+. Subscriptions provide reliable, recurring income and allows you to reach a broad audience. SVOD offers full creative freedom and helps build a community around your brand, popular for its convenience and variety.

AVOD (Advertising Video on Demand)

AVOD platforms offer free content supported by ads, which can run before, during, or after videos. This approach attracts a broad audience due to free access and provides a low-risk revenue stream through ad views. Ideal for creators starting out or looking to monetize large audiences without requiring payment, AVOD is most commonly recognised on platforms like YouTube.

TVOD (Transactional Video on Demand)

recipekick's tvod pricing for one of their videos

TVOD operates on a pay-per-view basis, where viewers purchase or rent individual pieces of content. This model allows viewers to pay only for the content they want and offers flexibility in pricing and access. It’s particularly good for one-time events or high-value content, such as movies or online courses, giving viewers the option to buy or rent as they choose.

Courses

Online learning is expected to grow to $1,124.79 billion in market size come 2030, making online courses a smart choice for creators. Most platforms and course models allow students to access video content for a one-time fee with lifetime access or a monthly subscription fee with access to a community.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing allows you to promote products and services and receive a commission for each sale made from your unique affiliate link. You can include affiliate links in video descriptions.

Sponsorships

Sponsorships are brand deals where companies pay creators to promote products and services. Deals are negotiated and typically paid upfront. Brands use sponsorships to reach larger audiences through creators.

Donations and tips

Donations and tips are gestures of appreciation your audience can offer. YouTube has Super Chat, for example. Most platforms support both but these cannot be billed monthly. Instead, viewers contribute when they choose.

How to Choose a Video Monetization Platform

Beyond just choosing what type of video monetization you need from your platform, there are many other factors to consider. With so many great and varied features available, it’s important to think about the criteria that matter most to your business. 

  • Marketing tools: Look for platforms offering robust marketing tools to grow and engage your audience, helping you build your own community and own your audience.
  • Access to funds: Choose a platform that aligns with your financial needs and offers flexible payout options, whether you need monthly or more frequent payments.
  • Ease of use: Ensure the platform is easy to use for both you and your viewers, with simple content upload, management, and monetization, and a user-friendly interface.
  • Content ownership: Understand the ownership rights of your content once uploaded. Choose platforms that respect your content ownership without claiming control.
  • Pricing: Consider the platform’s cost, whether it’s flat fees or a percentage of earnings. Calculate which model is most profitable based on your expected revenue and video views.
  • Customer support: Good customer support is crucial. Opt for platforms with responsive and effective support, and check reviews and testimonials to gauge their quality.

With that covered, let’s jump into our list of top video monetization platforms. 

The Top Video Monetization Platforms

1. Uscreen

uscreen's video monetization platform in action showing the different devices videos can be streamed from

Best for: Video creators looking to create a community-driven membership to monetize their videos.

G2 rating: ⭐️ 4.8 out of 5

Why choose Uscreen?

Uscreen is your all-in-one video monetization buddy, giving you full control over your branding, audience, and income. Perfect for building a premium, community-driven video membership site, Uscreen lets you create a Netflix-style catalog that’s super user-friendly. Your audience will love how easy it is to navigate and enjoy your video library.

But Uscreen is more than just a tool for video hosting. It offers flexible monetization options like paid memberships, pay-per-view, and one-time purchases, ensuring every piece of content can make you money. 

Uscreen customer The WKOUT's individual program plans to buy

With subscription-based memberships, you can build a steady, recurring income stream and keep your fans coming back for more. Plus, with its suite of automated marketing tools, Uscreen helps you scale your business, maximizing your revenue potential.

What I like best about Uscreen is the Netflix-like format of delivering their videos. Since my users don’t follow a linear path to what they’re learning, I like that I can organize everything in a way that is best for them while still allowing them to search for things on their own.

I also like that their team is very proactive in fixing any issues and making improvements on a monthly basis. They take the time to learn about your business and also learn how you are using their product.

Ryan R. G2 User.

Key benefits of Usreen

  • ✅ Multiple monetization options: Flexible revenue models support recurring and one-time payments, ensuring you get the most out of every piece of content.
  • Optimized video streaming & OTT Apps: Delivers a seamless viewing and community experience across all devices, from smartphones to TVs.
  • Enhanced live streaming: Amplifies live streams with real-time chats, interactive calendars, and pre-registration tools, enriching viewer experience.
  • Dynamic community building: Offers a dedicated space and community tools for members to interact with you, your content, and each other – fostering a loyal community and keeping your audience engaged.
  • Powerful analytics and marketing: Uscreen comes equipped with detailed analytics and built-in marketing tools like a no-code website builder and email marketing, helping you expand your audience effectively.

Cons to consider

  • Lack of LMS features: No capabilities for assessments, progress tracking, or certifications.
  • Cost: Pricing structures could be prohibitive for smaller creators or businesses on tight budgets.
  • Dedicated streaming platform: Uscreen is not built for discovery so an existing audience is needed to push content to.
  • Limited advanced community tools: Lacks some advanced community engagement features.

Is Uscreen right for you?

Jazzercise's membership platform where members can chat and follow along workout videos

Uscreen is ideal if you’re passionate about building a scalable and profitable membership site centered around video and community. It’s the go-to for creators serious about using their video content to cultivate a thriving community and gain steady recurring revenue from their content.

However, Uscreen might not be the best fit if you’re looking for more intricate website customization or structured learning assessments. Additionally, if your budget is tight, you might find Uscreen’s pricing structure challenging.

Uscreen pricing

  • Growth: $149/month + $1.99 per paid member, per month. Ideal for creators aiming to build their website, host videos, tier pricing, use marketing tools, and access analytics.
  • Pro: $499/month + $0.99 per paid member, per month. Tailored for serious creators looking to integrate their own tools, add e-commerce elements, and run an affiliate program.
  • Plus: Custom pricing for established creators who need full brand control across all platforms, including live streaming and live chat, with all Uscreen branding removed.
It’s simple with Uscreen.

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

2. VPlayed

vplayed homepage

Best for: Medium to large-sized companies, and enterprise businesses who are looking for a long-term solution to establish their video monetization businesses.

G2 rating: ⭐️ 4.8 out of 5

Why choose VPlayed?

VPlayed is a fully customizable video monetization platform. You may ask if every video monetization platform is customizable. What’s so special about VPlayed? Well, VPlayed has so many niche features that no other video or OTT platform in the market offers. For instance, when we say it is customizable, we mean it is entirely customizable.

Basically, you can customize anything on the platform from the video player, dashboard, custom skins, and themes to even the CMS. Plus, you can cast your logo on this white-label platform to suit your needs and resonate with your brand’s visual identity. 

VPlayed gives you access to the platform’s source code. It means you get unparalleled control over it and modify the platform the way you like after the deployment. So, only you own the platform; the makers will no longer have any control over it. 

Vplayed helps by providing great streaming and have top-notch features that helps the business to get paid well by delivering and monetizing content to their audience.

Harman S.

Key benefits of VPlayed

  • Platform Source Code Access: Obtain complete control and flexibility with full access to the platform’s source code.
  • Permanent Platform Ownership: Enjoy lifelong ownership of your platform with a one-time payment, ensuring no recurring fees or partner earnings.
  • Dedicated Content Partner Portal: Enhance content management and partner collaboration with a specialized content partner portal.
  • User-Generated Content: Enable users to easily create and share their content, similar to YouTube, a feature not always available in other top video monetization platforms.
  • Advanced Super Admin Access: Gain extensive control and oversight capabilities over your video monetization platform.
  • Support for Multiple Global Payment Gateways: Efficiently process payments worldwide with various payment methods — not just the major ones but also most minor, regional payment gateways. 
  • Hire dedicated developers – You can also hire dedicated video monetization platform developers from VPlayed to customize and deploy your platform — just in case you need them. 

Cons to consider

  • Pricing not mentioned on the website VPlayed’s pricing is not mentioned on their website; you will have to get a demo to know the custom pricing.
  • Better suited to established and larger businesses – VPlayed’s features set may prove complex for small businesses that want a simpler turnkey solution.

Is VPlayed right for you?

As discussed, VPlayed caters to a niche market segment. VPlayed could be the right choice for you if you’re looking for a highly customizable video monetization platform that offers permanent ownership with a one-time license fee. In addition, you should choose VPlayed if: customizations matter to you the most, need access to the platform’s source code, and you value platform ownership more than mere usage. 

However, if you’re on a tight budget and don’t want to spend more than a few hundred dollars initially, then you can choose other alternatives. 

VPlayed’s Pricing 

VPlayed has no mention of the platform’s pricing on its website. So, you may have to request a demo to know the pricing. 

3. Patreon

Screenshot showing Patrick Willem's patreon site

Best for: Part-time creators looking for a simple, easy-to-use subscription model that offers exclusive member-only access to their work.

G2 rating: ⭐️ 4.1 out of 5

Why choose Patreon?

Patreon is frequently considered as a starting point for creators looking to monetize their video content away from social media platforms. Think of it like Kickstarter for creators—it lets you ask your fans on YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms to support you directly while you deliver exclusive content. 

It’s perfect for setting clear expectations with your audience and creating a supportive, algorithm-free space where you can enjoy creative freedom and experiment with monetization.

If YouTube monetization isn’t an option, or you want an easier way to try out monthly subscriptions without the hassle of setting up a website or a huge video library, Patreon is a fantastic alternative. It focuses on exclusive content and fan interaction, unlike platforms that prioritize ads and viewership. 

However, as you grow, Patreon’s model might start to feel a bit limiting. The crowdfunding approach mainly appeals to your core fans, so expanding your audience and revenue might mean transitioning to a more scalable business model. Plus, the pricing structure can get expensive as you scale and fees increase. So, think about whether it’s the right fit for you now and in the future.

Honestly, I don’t know what a “CMS tool” is. Patreon is helping me solve the problem of ‘how do I get paid for my writing without sending out a jillion query letters and writing samples to X number of paid publishing markets?’ The advantages of Patreon are it’s well-known, and I can upload text or images in seconds.

Linda S. G2 User. 

Key benefits

  • Direct monetization: Patreon enables creators to secure steady financial backing directly from fans through subscription-based support.
  • Flexible memberships: Set up multiple membership tiers to offer tailored perks and keep your community engaged.
  • User-friendly: Easy to set up and manage, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.
  • Creative control: Full control over content distribution, maintaining your brand’s unique voice.
  • Community building: Essential tools to foster closer relationships with supporters, despite basic features.

Cons to consider

  • Fees: Patreon takes a cut ranging from 5% to 12% of earnings, plus payment processing fees.
  • Limited features: Lacks advanced community tools or sophisticated marketing integrations.
  • Discovery: Gaining visibility without an existing audience can be challenging due to weak discovery tools.
  • Content restrictions: Managing dynamic or extensive content like interactive courses or large video libraries might be limited.
  • Customer support: Some creators report slow and unsatisfactory responses from Patreon’s customer service.

Is Patreon right for you?

Patreon is perfect for artists, writers, musicians, or any creators looking to secure support directly from their fans. Its user-friendly setup allows for a quick start without requiring technical expertise. 

However, if you need advanced features or are concerned about high fees, Patreon’s limitations might push you to consider other membership platforms for more complex management or engagement tools.

Patreon pricing:

  • Lite: 5% of monthly income for a basic creator page and communication tools.
  • Pro: 8% of monthly income, adding multiple membership tiers, analytics, and promotional tools.
  • Premium: 12% of monthly income for established creators, including a dedicated manager and merchandising options.

Additional payment processing fees vary by patron location and payment method. 

4. Vimeo

vimeo's video monetization for content creators

Best for: Beginner video creators who need a user-friendly, ad-free platform to monetize high-quality videos.

G2 rating: ⭐️ 4.3 out of 5

Why choose Vimeo?

Vimeo is a top-notch video monetization solution, offering video-on-demand, OTT, and live streaming capabilities. It’s perfect for beginner video creators who need a user-friendly platform to host and monetize their videos, as well as professional videographers, filmmakers, and businesses seeking a sleek, ad-free environment with extensive branding and customization options.

Vimeo provides essential tools for creating, managing, and sharing high-quality content with a professional look. With various monetization strategies at your fingertips, including TVOD, SVOD, and rentals, you have the flexibility to generate revenue your way. You can stream, edit, and share videos in full HD across all devices using a customizable, white-label video player. This makes it great for embedding videos into your pre-existing website as well.

vimeo's ott platform to stream video to various platforms

Vimeo’s tools for viewer engagement, like polls, audience chat, and Q&As, help you interact with your audience and keep them engaged. Plus, with a focus on a clean, ad-free viewing experience, your content remains uninterrupted and professional.

Vimeo continues to be the video hosting platform that is best for me as someone that is a video professional but not interested in the complexities of self-hosting. It just works. It looks good, the player is customizable, and on my website, my videos look the way I want them to. There are no ads shown to my viewers and nothing to distract from the design.

Verified G2 User.

Key benefits

  • Global content delivery: Ensures your videos are accessible worldwide with high-quality streaming.
  • High level of customization: Offers extensive branding and design options to create a professional video presentation.
  • Advanced analytics: Provides in-depth insights into video performance and viewer engagement.
  • Viewer engagement tools: Includes features like polls, audience chat, and Q&As to enhance interaction with your audience.
  • Powerful security tools: Ensures your content is protected with advanced privacy controls.

Cons to consider

  • No ad revenue: Vimeo does not support ad-based monetization, limiting income potential from ads.
  • Limited storage on a free plan: The free plan offers restricted storage capacity.
  • ❌ Customer support: Some users report slow response times, especially during high-demand periods.
  • Quickly gets expensive: The cost jumps significantly from the Starter to Enterprise plans.

Is Vimeo right for you?

Vimeo is perfect for beginner video creators who need a user-friendly platform to host and monetize their videos. It provides essential tools for creating, managing, and sharing high-quality content with a professional look.

However, if you require extensive customization, built-in marketing tools, or a robust support system, Vimeo might not fully meet your needs. The platform’s limited potential for organic discovery could be a drawback if you’re looking to grow your audience rapidly. Additionally, the lack of 24/7 customer support for urgent issues can sometimes be troublesome.

Vimeo pricing:

  • Starter plan: $24 per seat/month, includes tools for making, managing, and sharing up to 60 videos.
  • Standard plan: $40 per seat/month, adds more video marketing and customization features, up to 120 videos.
  • Advanced plan: $130 per seat/month, includes live streaming, virtual events, and marketing integrations, up to 500 videos.
  • Enterprise plan: Custom pricing, tailored for large-scale needs with additional features and support.

Uscreen Vs Vimeo OTT: Which is the best option for your business?

VOD owner writing a description for website

5. Muvi

muvi's video monetization platform showing the devices users can stream video to

Best for: Creators looking to build video-on-demand channels with an e-commerce focus.

G2 rating: ⭐️ 4.7 out of 5

Why choose Muvi?

Muvi is a top choice for creators looking to build custom video-on-demand channels with an e-commerce edge. Think of it as your one-stop shop for streaming—Muvi lets you monetize your content in various ways, from SVOD to PPV and AVOD. Plus, with Muvi Kart, you can also sell physical products, adding another revenue stream to your mix.

Muvi handles everything from IT infrastructure to payment gateways, so you can effortlessly deliver content worldwide. The platform is highly customizable, allowing for seamless branding, feature customization, and third-party integrations. For example, the Fort Smith International Film Festival successfully used Muvi to manage and broadcast films across multiple rooms efficiently.

Muvi also makes it easy to share and monetize your content on major social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. With real-time viewer interactions, live broadcasting, and retargeting codes for advertising, you can keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.

Muvi offers the best video-on-demand platform in the market. It is easy to utilize and offers a lot of features. It has built-in website capabilities. What we like most is the DRM security and the watermarking it offers for the videos you upload on your website. This ensures the protection of intellectual property. Great platform!

Viscon M. G2 User. 

Key benefits

  • Unlimited video uploads and simultaneous viewers: Supports extensive content libraries and large audiences.
  • Quick and easy setup: User-friendly interface for launching and managing your streaming service.
  • Multi-platform support: Delivers content across web, mobile, and TV apps.
  • Reliable customer support: Offers 24/7 assistance to address any issues.

Cons to consider

  • Limited website templates: Fewer options for customization.
  • Limited marketing tools: Less robust compared to competitors.
  • Confusing CMS workflow: Steep learning curve for new users.
  • Website loading speeds: Potential issues with performance.
screenshot showing muvi's website templates to build a branded website

Is Muvi right for you?

Muvi is ideal for media or enterprise creators looking to establish a scalable, white-labeled streaming service. It provides extensive tools for content management, live streaming, and multi-platform support. 

However, Muvi’s limited website templates and marketing functionalities might not meet the needs of creators seeking high customizability and robust marketing integrations. Additionally, the CMS can be complex for beginners, requiring time to master.

Muvi pricing:

  • Standard: $199/month + infrastructure fees. Includes 2,000 concurrent users limit, 1 TB storage and bandwidth per month, and a fully featured white-labeled website/app.
  • Professional: $499/month + infrastructure fees. Includes everything in the Standard plan, plus a 10,000 concurrent users limit, 2 TB storage, and bandwidth per month.
  • Enterprise: $1,999/month + infrastructure fees. Includes everything in the Professional plan, plus a 50,000 concurrent users limit, 5 TB storage, and bandwidth per month.
  • Ultimate: Custom pricing. Includes everything in the Enterprise plan, plus unlimited concurrent users and 10 TB storage and bandwidth per month.

6. Dacast

Dacast's video platform

Best for: Professional broadcasters and businesses needing a comprehensive live streaming service.

G2 rating: ⭐️ 4.5 out of 5

Why choose Dacast?

Dacast is a versatile video monetization platform perfect for hosting both live and on-demand content. Its user-friendly interface and extensive streaming options make it a great choice for broadcasters of all skill levels. 

screenshot showing Dacast's streaming options including standard passthrough channel, HLS channel, and VOD to Live

One of Dacast’s standout features is its white-label service, which gives you full control over your branding—no distractions like you’d find on Twitch or YouTube. Your viewers will only see your content when browsing your library.

Dacast offers flexibility with various monetization models, including SVOD, TVOD, and AVOD, making it a versatile option for generating revenue. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with existing business tools like CRMs and marketing platforms, enhancing your workflow efficiency. However, keep in mind that the lower-tier plans come with limited bandwidth, which can get pricey as your viewership grows.

Using it as a ‘set it and forget it’ platform for live streaming our church services has provided a cost-effective solution that helped us navigate the COVID days and continues to provide convenience to our church members.

Corey M, Verified User.

Key benefits

  • Integrated paywall: Seamlessly monetize content with subscriptions, pay-per-view, and advertisements directly through Dacast’s built-in paywall.
  • Top-tier CDN usage: Utilizes Akamai, ensuring high-quality streaming with excellent global reach, including distinctive access to the challenging market of China.
  • White-label service on all plans: Complete control over branding across the video player, maintaining a consistent brand identity across all broadcasts.
  • Extensive API access: Provides robust API capabilities for extensive customization and integration, perfect for technical users.
  • Real-time analytics and Zoom integration: Offers instant data on viewer engagement and smooth integration with Zoom for easy hosting of webinars and large meetings.

Cons to consider

  • Steep learning curve: The platform’s depth of features may require a significant learning period for new users or those with limited technical resources.
  • Social media streaming limitations: Does not support direct streaming to social media platforms; requires third-party services for simulcasting.
  • No ultra-low latency: Lacks support for ultra-low-latency streaming, which can be critical for real-time interactive content like gaming or live auctions.
  • No DRM technology: While providing basic security features, Dacast does not offer Digital Rights Management (DRM), potentially a drawback for securing high-value content.
  • Bandwidth and storage limits: Certain plans have strict bandwidth and storage limits, which could lead to additional costs or constraints for users with high streaming demands.

Is Dacast right for you?

Dacast is perfect for professional content creators and businesses looking for a feature-packed streaming platform with global reach, diverse monetization options, and tight security. 

It’s a robust choice, but it might not be the easiest for newcomers due to its steep learning curve and premium pricing. If your content relies on ultra-low latency or heavy social media distribution, Dacast’s limitations in these areas might be a concern. For simpler streaming setups or more flexible monetization in different currencies, you might want to explore other platforms.

Dacast pricing:

  • Starter plan: $39/month. Ideal for small audiences, offering 2.4 TB of bandwidth per year, 500 GB of storage, live streaming in 1080p HD, support for unlimited concurrent viewers, browser-based/mobile streaming, Video On Demand (VOD), and advanced analytics.
  • Event plan: $63/month. Geared towards one-time or occasional events, providing 6 TB of upfront bandwidth, 250 GB of storage, and builds on the Starter features with live stream monitoring, Multi-CDN, a live countdown, paywall for monetization, and advertising options.
  • Scale plan: $165/month. Tailored for businesses and organizations, offering 24 TB of bandwidth per year, 2,000 GB of storage, and enhances the Event plan with unlimited channels, DRM and AES encryption for VOD, advanced library management, and phone support.
  • Custom plan: Contact for pricing. Designed for high-volume needs and special requirements, includes all features from the Scale plan plus additional support, special features, custom Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and capabilities for managing large-scale events.

7. Kajabi

kajabi's video monetization platform for course creators

Best for: Video course creators looking for a more traditional learning management system.

G2 rating: ⭐️ 4.3 out of 5

Why choose Kajabi?

Kajabi is the go-to platform for educators, coaches, and course creators looking to share their knowledge online. It’s ideal for video creators specializing in educational content who want to monetize their videos by transforming them into comprehensive course subscriptions.

Whether you’re creating in-depth courses, quick tutorials, or mastermind groups, Kajabi has you covered. Its targeted communication tools, like segmentation and tagging, make it easy to engage or re-engage your audience. The unified course library enhances the learning experience by providing simple access to all courses. Plus, with advanced automation, personalization options, and in-depth analytics, you can streamline your process and maximize engagement.

screenshot of kajabi's video lesson tracking

With years in the market, Kajabi is a reliable platform that offers a robust Learning Management System (LMS) suited for structured learning, including assessments and certifications. Its straightforward pricing without transaction fees makes it a cost-effective choice.

As a coach, having this system for hosting my online courses while also being able to utilize the landing pages for selling and along with the email marketing made everything more functional and simple for my customers and truly gave me peace of mind not having 10 different software I had to use. Setting up the checkout pages and adding in upsells also gives you the potential to be a lot more profitable, and I really appreciate this feature.

Rachel S., Verified User.

Key benefits

  • Integrated community platform: Engage and retain your audience with interactive community tools.
  • Automated efficiency: Streamline content delivery and member interactions with built-in automation.
  • All-in-one management: From site and course creation to email marketing and analytics, Kajabi integrates all aspects of membership management.
  • Mobile accessibility: Ensure members can connect and learn on the go with a user-friendly mobile app.
  • Diverse content options: Deliver your content in various formats within a secure, easy-to-navigate environment.

Cons to consider

  • Cost: Kajabi’s premium pricing may be a barrier for newcomers or those with limited budgets.
  • Customization limits: Despite its range of options, customization capabilities may not satisfy those seeking highly unique designs or specific functionalities.
  • No native forum support: Lacks traditional forum tools, essential for detailed, threaded discussions.
  • Complex features: The breadth of Kajabi’s features might overwhelm those needing only basic site functionalities.
  • Specialized focus: Primarily tailored for courses and coaching, might not suit those looking to develop different types of membership sites.

Is Kajabi right for you?

Kajabi is ideal for creators who need a comprehensive solution to create and sell online courses and digital products. It integrates all necessary tools for content, sales, and marketing, making it a powerful platform for building an online education business. 

However, if your focus is on community building or live streaming, you might want to consider alternatives. Additionally, its higher cost and complex features might be daunting for smaller creators or beginners.

Kajabi pricing:

  • Basic: $119/month for 1 admin user, includes 3 products and 1,000 active customers.
  • Growth: $159/month for 10 admin users, upscales to 15 products and 10,000 active customers, with additional support options.
  • Pro: $319/month for 25 admin users, expands to 3 websites and 100 products, catering to up to 20,000 active customers.

8. Brightcove

Brightcove's video library for its video monetization platform

Best for: Businesses looking for a tailor-made package for video hosting and monetization.

G2 rating: ⭐️ 4 out of 5

Why choose Brightcove?

Brightcove, founded in 2004, is a pioneer in video streaming and monetization, widely used by enterprises for corporate communications and streaming commercial video content to over 175 countries. With Brightcove, you can deliver flawless video content across mobile, web, and smart TVs. The platform supports various monetization models, including AVOD, TVOD, and SVOD, and offers services for both server-side and client-side ad insertion, ad server management, and consultations to optimize ad revenue.

Brightcove stands out as a comprehensive video hosting platform for enterprises, providing powerful tools for live streaming, on-demand content management, and extensive monetization options. Its scalability and integration capabilities make it a top choice for established businesses looking to leverage video for communication and engagement.

Known for its reliability, Brightcove boasts a 99.95% uptime and robust security features like studio-grade content protection, regional data storage, IP restriction, URL tokenization, and proxy restrictions. It aligns with ISO 27001 standards and holds security certifications through the Digital Production Partnership (DPP) and CSA STAR registry.

We run our entire daily live broadcast through BC, along with our OTT platform for our VOD content. I love the UI of the admin site – it feels like true broadcasting software versus a web-based platform.

Verified User, G2.

Key benefits

  • Server-side ad insertion: Effectively target ads across various revenue models.
  • Advanced analytics: Provides insights into viewer behavior and content success.
  • Reliable global delivery: Uses a top-tier CDN for fast, high-quality video streaming everywhere.
  • Robust security: Protects content with encryption and multi-DRM for comprehensive content protection.
  • Seamless integrations: Connects with tools like WordPress and Adobe for a streamlined workflow.
Brightcove's simple system for embedding videos onto a website

Cons to consider

  • ❌ Complexity: The platform has a steep learning curve and may require significant technical expertise.
  • Limited self-service options: Dedicated support is available, but users might find the lack of self-service options inconvenient.
  • Expensive: Brightcove’s pricing is on the higher end, making it less accessible for smaller creators.

Is Brightcove right for you?

Brightcove is ideal for businesses and enterprises looking for a robust, scalable video hosting and monetization solution. It offers advanced features, reliable streaming, and extensive security, making it perfect for high-stakes, high-volume video content. 

However, its complexity and higher costs may not suit smaller businesses or those new to video streaming. The platform’s limited self-service options and steep learning curve might also be challenging for users without technical expertise. There could be better Brightcove alternatives for your business.

Brightcove pricing:

Brightcove’s pricing is not publicly disclosed and is based on custom quotes. Interested users need to contact Brightcove’s sales team to get detailed pricing information tailored to their specific needs.

9. Restream

screenshot showing the channels restream offers for live streaming

Best for: Content creators looking to maximize live streaming revenue through multistreaming across multiple platforms.

G2 rating: ⭐️ 4.3 out of 5

Why choose Restream?

Restream is perfect for content creators who want to reach a broad audience by broadcasting simultaneously to over 30 platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch. This multistreaming capability ensures maximum exposure and engagement across different communities.

Restream simplifies your workflow by consolidating all chat interactions into one place, allowing for personalized broadcasts with your branding. You can easily host guests, manage chats, and customize controls directly from your browser.

Even when you’re not live, Restream lets you stream pre-recorded content, ensuring consistent quality. Features like RTMP pull links enable real-time translations or additional video sources, adding a professional touch. The platform is reliable with its backup stream feature for technical issues, and its detailed analytics help you refine your strategy by understanding audience behaviors.

If you’re managing multiple social media accounts and wish to livestream all at once, then Restream is your go-to Tool! With one device, we can stream to all of our social media!

MikeToon S., Verified User.

Key benefits

  • Combines video hosting, live streaming, and community building: Offers a comprehensive service to enhance interaction and engagement.
  • Extensive monetization options: Includes subscriptions, pay-per-view, and donations integrated within the platform.
  • Launch branded mobile and TV apps: Enhances content accessibility and brand visibility.
  • Built-in community tools: Features discussion forums and interactive elements to build a vibrant community.
  • ✅ Control over content and subscriber data: Provides a white-label solution supporting brand consistency.

Cons to consider

  • Lacks built-in video editing tools: Can be a limitation for creators who need to polish their streams.
  • Full HD streaming restricted to higher-priced plans: Potentially limits quality for budget-conscious creators.
  • Managing multiple platforms can be complex: May require additional coordination.
  • Pre-recorded video streaming restricted to higher-tier plans: Limits flexibility for lower or free plan users.
  • Priority support only for premium subscribers: Could delay resolution times for users on lower tiers.

Is Restream right for you?

Restream is a fantastic choice for creators who want to broadcast their content simultaneously across over 30 platforms, engage viewers with integrated chat, and enjoy features like Full HD streaming, multi-camera setups, and insightful analytics.

However, if you need ultra-high-definition streams beyond 1080p, built-in video editing tools, or the ability to upload larger files, Restream might feel a bit restrictive. Additionally, premium features like streaming pre-recorded videos and removing Restream branding are only available on higher-priced plans, which might be a concern for budget-conscious users.

Restream pricing:

  • Free plan: Stream up to 2 channels with access to 30+ platforms.
  • Standard plan: $19/month, stream up to 5 channels.
  • Professional plan: $49/month, stream up to 8 channels.
  • Premium plan: $99/month, stream up to 15 channels.

YouTube

Best for: New creators and those looking for a platform with access to a global audience.

G2 Rating ⭐️: Not available.

youtube channel memberships

Why choose YouTube?

There isn’t a bigger online video platform on the planet. It’s home to billions of users and it offers two ways to earn.

The first monetization model is called Adsense for YouTube. To earn from this program your channel must have 1000 subscribers and 4000 hours of watch time within the last 12 months, or 1000 subscribers with 10 million valid public Shorts in the last 90 days.

When your channel qualifies, you can monetize content with video ads that play before, during, and after your videos.

The second monetization strategy uses YouTube’s Membership feature. Like its Adsense program, your channel must meet the same qualifying criteria. Memberships lets you create tiers with unique perks and your members are billed monthly for access to exclusive online video content.

YouTube also comes with YouTube Studio, a backend tool to upload videos, manage your content and track stats like views, engagement, and earnings. YouTube’s also introduced Community Posts, a way for creators to connect with users through polls, quizzes, text, images and GIFs.

Key benefits

  • Earn with Adsense for YouTube and Memberships.
  • Set your own tiers and membership prices.
  • YouTube Studio supports content management and tracking channel performance and memberships.
  • Community Posts help create stronger relationships with viewers.
  • Live streaming.

Cons to consider

  • YouTube takes 30% of your membership earnings and 45% of your Adsense earnings.
  • Earning with Adsense relies heavily on YouTube’s algorithm ranking and sharing your content far and wide. If your channel doesn’t get many visitors, you’re less likely to have YouTube ads displayed with your videos and will experience low earnings.
  • YouTube’s content policies can change without notice and you can lose your channel and income instantly.
  • Limited branding and customization options.
  • Constant video creation is required for YouTube to drive traffic to your channel so you can get more views and generate earnings.

Is YouTube right for you?

YouTube is a smart choice for any creator when treated as a marketing platform. Its discoverability functionality has the power to expose your content to a large audience.

The possibility of reaching millions is enticing, but not a guarantee. YouTube is highly competitive and its algorithms are constantly in flux, making it harder to rank videos for maximum views. YouTube is also known for taking a hard line with creators, often culling channels.

YouTube Pricing

YouTube doesn’t charge a fee per say. Instead, the platform takes 45% of your Adsense revenue and 30% of your Membership earnings.

Choosing the Best Video Monetization Platform

That wraps up our review of the top video monetization platforms for 2024! 

Each platform offers unique features and benefits, so keep an eye on those G2 ratings and feature updates as they can help guide your choice.

If you’re a video creator ready to monetize video content and take your business to the next level by building a thriving community, you’re in the perfect place to start. Explore what Uscreen can do for you and discover the best platforms for your goals.

Ready to dive in? Click below to see how Uscreen can transform your video monetization journey!

It’s simple with Uscreen.

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

Video monetization FAQs

What is video monetization?

Video monetization is the process of selling videos online through various methods such as ads, subscriptions, pay-per-view, and more. For instance, a YouTuber might earn money through ad placements in their videos (AVOD), while a content creator on a platform like Uscreen might charge a monthly fee for access to exclusive content (SVOD). Another example is offering early access to premium videos for a fee (PVOD), allowing creators to tap into their audience’s willingness to pay for exclusive content.

Which video monetization platform pays the most?

The video monetization platform that pays the most depends on your content type and audience size. For instance, YouTube can offer high earning potential through a combination of ad revenue, sponsorships, and Super Chats. Twitch is also lucrative for gamers and streamers with its subscriptions, donations, and bits. If your content resonates deeply with your audience, Uscreen can be very profitable due to its robust membership and community features. Patreon provides a steady income stream for artists and writers through fan subscriptions. Ultimately, the most profitable platform is where your content best connects with your audience and leverages the platform’s monetization tools effectively.

How much can you earn from videos?

How much you can earn from videos online can vary widely depending on the platform, content type, and audience engagement. For example, creators on Uscreen who offer subscription-based video streaming earn an average of $5,800 per month. On YouTube, the average monthly earnings are around $4,616, with revenue per 1,000 views ranging from $3 to $5. Comparatively, Instagram and TikTok pay less, averaging $0.70 to $1.50 and $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views, respectively. Twitch streamers can earn between $2.50 to $10 per subscriber. Factors influencing earnings include your niche (e.g., finance or technology content tends to earn more), content complexity (longer, in-depth videos are generally more valuable), and audience engagement. High views and interaction can attract sponsorships, further boosting your income.

What is a paywall?

A paywall is a digital restriction on a website where brands prevent exclusive content from public access. To view exclusive content, website visitors have to sign up for access which can be free or require a fee.

How do I monetize my video content?

You can monetize your content by creating and selling courses, memberships and video subscriptions, promoting affiliate products and services, through sponsorship deals, and accepting donations and tips.

Can a 30-second video be monetized?

Yes, a 30-second video can be monetized in several ways (see “How do I monetize my video content” FAQ — excluding the creation of courses).

How do you monetize live streaming?

You can monetize live streaming through pay-per-view, where users pay a one-time fee to see your live content. You can also use the video monetization models shared under the “How do I monetize my video content” FAQ to make money from live events.