Vimeo vs. Kaltura: Which video hosting site should you choose?

Choosing a video hosting site can be a big commitment, especially if you need an enterprise solution that checks off all the boxes on your organization’s wishlist. Today’s video platforms offer more bells and whistles than free video hosting for your website, including a suite of video marketing tools, webinar software, and advanced video analytics.

Two popular video hosting platforms, Vimeo and Kaltura, deliver superior solutions for businesses looking to expand beyond video sharing into tools that support video collaboration and virtual events. And although we might be biased (spoiler alert because we’ll admit to believing Vimeo is fantastic for just about everything), there are some use cases that could make Kaltura a contender as well. 

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What is the difference between Vimeo and Kaltura?

The Vimeo video platform is a versatile business video hosting solution stacked with tools that help organizations both create and share high-quality video content and use video as a springboard for dynamic marketing campaigns, improved performance, and better team collaboration.

Kaltura is an open-source video hosting platform that specializes in custom corporate video solutions, although these can come with a hefty price tag. Kaltura is a popular choice among educators because many of their a la carte video software solutions focus on webinars and virtual events. And like Vimeo, Kaltura also has an advanced suite of video content management, collaboration, and analytics tools.

Vimeo vs Kaltura: A side-by-side comparison of video platforms

Chances are if you’re trying to decide between Vimeo video hosting services and Kaltura hosting services, you probably want more than just video sharing features.

Below you’ll find a snapshot of how the Vimeo video hosting platform compares to Kaltura’s open source platform in terms of not just video hosting but live streaming features as well as enterprise solutions for video communications and video marketing.

Video hosting platform comparison: Vimeo vs. Kaltura

Looking for a best-in-class, customizable video player that you can embed anywhere? Compare video hosting services from Vimeo and Kaltura to see which provides the best on-demand video hosting experience.

Vimeo video hosting overview

If you want a platform that excels at hosting high-quality videos for both content creators and brands, Vimeo’s reliability and engaged audience should make it your go-to video hosting solution.

• Exceptional video quality. A swiftly loading HTML5 video player guarantees a superior experience for your viewers whether they’re watching in 4K, 8K, HDR, or Dolby Vision.
• Five-star sound quality. Vimeo’s first-in-class constant bitrate of 320 kbps means clear, dynamic sound quality you won’t find on many other video hosting platforms.
• Ad-free always. It doesn’t matter whether you have a free trial or an enterprise account. No matter your plan, you won’t encounter an ad before, during, or after video content.
• Customize your player. Let your branding speak for itself with Vimeo’s fully customizable video player that ensures brand colors, logos, and video controls carry over no matter where you embed videos.
• Video security features. Protect video privacy with Vimeo’s advanced settings that let you password protect, customize permissions, and control and monitor access to video content.
• Variety of integrations. Grab your b-roll (and a-roll) on Android, iPhone, Mac or even Windows without worry. Vimeo’s integration with iMovie, Google Drive, and Dropbox means a stress-free video upload experience.
• View anywhere. Vimeo’s reliable hosting services mean viewers won’t miss a frame or a soundbyte whether they’re browser-based on a desktop or watching from a mobile app.

Get started with free video hosting from Vimeo →

Kaltura video hosting overview

Kaltura’s open source platform offers video hosting services that are comparable to Vimeo’s. However, instead of straightforward plans or tiers, Kaltura customers must select video recording, webcasting, storage, and video sharing features individually and then assemble them into a customized video hosting solution.

• Custom resolutions. In addition to supporting video quality up to 4K, the Kaltura video player specifies it can also support 360 and custom resolutions.
• Ad-free player. Like Vimeo, Kaltura has an ad-free viewing experience that prioritizes engagement rather than video monetization.
• Video security features. Manage user types and set admin permissions with Kaltura’s video privacy tools designed to keep content secure.
• Full integrations. As an open source platform, Kaltura’s wide variety of plugins and integrations are managed through access to the API which can pose some security concerns.

Live streaming, webinar, and virtual event software comparison: Vimeo vs. Kaltura

The best livestream and virtual event platforms think of the little things so you don’t have to. Vimeo has you covered with the ability to brand your event, multistream it to other platforms, and then repurpose your footage for world-class pre-recorded or live webinars.

Vimeo live stream and virtual event platform overview

Livestreaming on Vimeo is a breeze thanks to the state-of-the-art Vimeo platform, which includes tools to brand your stream and browser-based multistreams.

• Reliable HD video quality. The Vimeo livestream platform sets a high bar for virtual events with 1080p HD viewing experience even for participants with limited bandwidth. Host memorable, branded events on Vimeo Venues, our virtual event platform.
• Secure multistreams. Stream simultaneously to social channels including YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or set up private streams with passwords or embedded permissions.
• Interactive virtual events. Ad-free and engaging webinars start with the Vimeo webinar software that lets you add chat, polls, Q&A, and live links to your livestream.
• Branded streams. Customize your Vimeo virtual events by switching between feeds, inserting prerecorded video, mixing audio, and adding brand elements like custom colors, logos and graphics in the Vimeo broadcast studio.
• Repackage and repurpose. Vimeo’s video editing and video management tools let you reuse your live video event or content to create video snippets, organize into content chapters, and offer downloadable video assets in the video library.

See Vimeo's livestream platform in action →

Kaltura live stream and virtual events overview

Kaltura’s livestream offerings are similar to Vimeo, with interactive webinar features and custom streams with branded elements. However, Kaltura’s dedicated landing pages and virtual classroom software is a standout for educational organizations.

• Real-time analytics. Kaltura provides notifications, announcements and advanced webinar analytics to drive engagement.
• Interactive elements. Raise the roof on your virtual room with AI session moderation, live Q&A, live or scheduled polls, instant emoji reactions and timed confetti.
• Branded landing pages. Depending on your plan, Kaltura supports your virtual classroom or webinar with a branded minisite to encourage event promotion.
• Some marketing integrations. Katura livestream software integrates with Marketo, HubSpot, and others.
• Automatic uploads. Once the live session concludes, Kaltura will ensure your recording is published automatically to assist in lead generation.
• Dedicated virtual classroom. Kaltura’s virtual classroom software comes equipped with the tools educators prefer including digital white boards, group chats and more.

Screen recording comparison: Vimeo vs. Kaltura

Figuring out how best to record your screen during a live video can be a surprisingly tricky endeavor. Screen recording software makes it easy to capture your screen, yourself, and your script without missing a beat or losing your audience.

Vimeo screen recorder overview

Get the take you want the first time with the Vimeo screen recorder. Built-in tools and customization make the video recorder intuitive so you look like a pro no matter the content or the platform.

• AI script generator. Vimeo’s AI takes your bullet points, a few keywords and some guidance about timing and tone to transform notes into a professional video script.
• Built-in teleprompter. Never lose your place with Vimeo’s built-in teleprompter that scrolls your script at the bottom of the screen when you’re recording.
• Edit with efficiency. Vimeo’s editing tool lets you pop into the script to make changes as easily as for a text so you can transform, condense, and rework your script on the fly.
• Seamless screen recorder. Capture you, your screen, or both on mobile or desktop with the Vimeo screen recorder that adds context to tutorials, company debriefs, and more.
• Auto-generate subtitles. Depending on your plan, Vimeo offers the ability to auto caption live recordings, which empowers better access and engagement for your audience.

Take Vimeo’s screen recorder for a test drive →

Kaltura screen recorder overview

Kaltura’s straightforward screen recording tool, Capture, gets the job done and comes with a few extras such as the ability to create chapters from Powerpoint presentations.

• Simple to use. Kaltura’s screen recorder, Capture, provides an easy way to record on-screen tutorials without complicated third-party apps.
• Screen annotations. Kaltura Capture has screen annotations in the form of a handy toolbox of drawing functions you can use to add visual interest to your recording.
• Limited integration. Kaltura Capture appears to support screen recording on desktop through Mac and Windows but not on mobile.
• Automatic slide detection. Using a Powerpoint? Kaltura will detect your slides and create chapters in the recording that align to your presentation.

Video marketing capabilities comparison: Vimeo vs. Kaltura

Video matters and video marketing capabilities give you the tools to prove it. From video analytics to tools that encourage content monetization, look for a platform with a video marketing suite that lets businesses maximize video to drive revenue.

Vimeo video marketing overview

Whether your video is making a social media splash or the cornerstone of a cutting edge campaign, Vimeo can help you measure and improve the impact of your video marketing campaigns.

• Vimeo analytics dashboard. Get beyond measuring clicks with Vimeo’s advanced analytics that capture performance, return on investment (ROI), and give valuable insight on engagement.
• Create & share reports. Measure video metrics and share reports with stakeholders from a single dashboard that helps gather insights and track campaigns.
• Consolidate feedback. Too many cooks in your content kitchen? Consolidate feedback across teams and support review with time-coded comments.
• Content marketing integrations. Vimeo plays nice with most CRM (customer relationship management) platforms like Hubspot, Marketo, Constant Contact, and Salesforce to ensure you can leverage lead generation.

Explore Vimeo video marketing tools for yourself →

Kaltura video marketing overview

Kaltura’s video marketing suite comes with many of the same features as Vimeo and its open source platform means integrations are available but may require some expertise to enable.

• Robust analytics. Kaltura supports a suite of analytics tools that keep tabs on video performance measurable outcomes like return on investment (ROI).
• Generate reports. Like Vimeo, Kaltura also provides the ability to generate analytics reports that can be provided to stakeholders.
• API integrations. Kaltura’s open source platform means custom integrations are available for just about any third-party software or app, including CRM platforms.

Video communications comparison: Vimeo vs. Kaltura

Video communication is about more than chatting it up live on Microsoft Teams or Slack. It’s a term for how businesses use video to shape and deliver internal communications. The best video platforms enable better workplace communication through the use of high-quality video, live streaming, and screen recordings.

Vimeo video communication overview

Vimeo helps you jumpstart better organizational communication with dynamic video content, including building a better virtual meeting and a more engaging onboarding process.

• Consistent employee communication. Vimeo helps you stay on brand with videos and virtual events that deliver immersive employee experiences.
• Measure workforce communication outcomes. Data-driven insights from Vimeo can help you track progress of internal communication campaigns and demonstrate ROI.
• Foster global conversations. Use Vimeo virtual event software and livestreams to energize an international workforce and spark productivity.
• Build a company knowledge base. Vimeo’s privacy settings can help build a centralized knowledge hub available on mobile and desktop and control access through permissions or password management features.
• Meeting integrations. Vimeo-supported Zoom and Webex integrations enable time-stamped comments and auto-uploaded recordings so important meetings like virtual town halls are always on tap.

Start connecting with Vimeo's video communication tools →

Kaltura video comms overview

Kaltura’s video communications tools bring the virtual classroom approach to meetings, creating dynamic spaces for team collaboration. Video management tools also help sort videos into playlists and facilitate easy sharing.

• Virtual meeting rooms. Kaltura brings the same software from its virtual classroom platform to the boardroom with whiteboards, chats, playlists, and more.
• Video management system. Kaltura’s dynamic filtering and sorting helps create content hubs where you can search across folders and share playlists.
• Video privacy settings. You can set permissions, share with a single individual, or change video settings to private in Kaltura’s video management system.

Which video platform is best for you: Vimeo or Kaltura?

The answer is that Vimeo is a more versatile and agile video platform that will work best and be more cost-effective for most individual, business, and enterprise needs. Kaltura’s open source platform is customizable and integrates with a patchwork of plugins; however, the truth is that many of Kaltura integrations are non-repeatable and not as helpful except to the one client for which the integration was specifically made. Kaltua’s custom integrations require a lot of engineering work and investment by the customer, making Vimeo the better choice for your company budget.

Take Vimeo's video platform for a spin →