15 Best Online Video Players for Publishers in 2024 (Free & Paid)

In 2023, around 3.5 billion people around the globe watched video content. With so much demand, it’s no wonder that the online video industry has been booming. Publishers left and right are jumping on the bandwagon and offering content to millions of viewers every day while monetizing it through subscriptions or, more commonly, ads.

The thought of getting your piece of the video ad revenue pie is tempting – you could build an OTT app, launch a video-sharing platform like YouTube, or keep it simple and just embed some videos on your website. However, to do any of those things, you will first need a good online video player. 

Finding the right video player can be trickier than it seems. I decided to make this process easier by shortlisting some of the best players on the market right now. Whether you’re looking for something free to get you started or want a robust, premium piece of video tech, I’m sure you’ll find the right match for your video business on my list.

What to Look for in an Online Video Player

When looking for a player, each publisher will have different needs, depending on their business model. Some of the criteria I took into consideration when compiling the list included security, price, monetization opportunities, customizability, ease of use, and available support.

How Much Does a Video Player Cost?

The prices of video players vary greatly. There are many open-source, free online video players, such as Video.js, while the prices of some go into the hundreds. Many providers nowadays also offer revenue-sharing or custom pricing plans, which seems to be the preferred model for an increasing number of publishers. Overall, if you’re looking for a free solution, be prepared to compromise on some features or customizability (the best advice I can give you is to never compromise on security). 

How Secure Is Your Video Player?

Speaking of security… This should be a paramount factor when shopping for a video player, especially if you’re planning to monetize content. Having a good security system in place (such as DRM) will ensure that nobody can access, download, alter, or distribute your videos without your consent. 

Customer Support for Online Video Players

Premium video technology providers aren’t afraid to invest in a quality support team for their publishers. This means that, if something goes wrong, you can usually get it fixed with just an e-mail ticket. On the other hand, if you go for an open-source player, the solution to most of your issues will be – coding (more often than not, it’s not worth the trouble – trust me, I’ve been there). 

Do You Need a Customizable Video Player?

This is especially important for publishers who are building a brand around their video business. A pre-branded video player with colors that don’t match the rest of your website will stick out like a sore thumb. On the other hand, with premium solutions, you can often change the design of even the tiniest details, such as the positioning of the play button.

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Top 15 Best Online Video Players for Publishers in 2024

Now that you know a little more about the criteria I considered when crawling the internet for the best video players on the market, it’s time to actually get to the list. So without further ado, here are the top 15 online video players for publishers, hand-picked by yours truly.

1. TargetVideo’s Managed Video Player

Player Type	Pricing
Premium	Revenue-sharing

TargetVideo’s Managed Video Player is a plug-and-play HTML5 solution for publishers who want to set up their video distribution and monetization system without too much hassle. The player comes equipped with ad-serving capabilities for all the standard video ad formats, so all a publisher needs to do is embed it on their website – the rest is up to TargetVideo’s team of experts.

Getting the Managed Video Player also means getting access to TargetVideo’s premium network of demand partners who are available both for programmatic and direct deals. Publishers can also work with the sales team to include additional sources. 

Another solution available through the Managed Video Player is content. Publishers who lack relevant videos (or simply want to enrich their library) can lease monetizable videos from attractive categories and add them to their playlists.

In addition to all of this, the player is fully customizable and has an array of engagement-boosting options, such as smart playlists or the sticky unit. 

Managed Video Player Key Features:

Plug-and-play
Lightweight and low-latency
DRM support
Adaptive bitrate streaming
Extensive customization
Engagement-boosting features
Robust ad-serving capabilities
Cross-platform compatibility
Premium customer support
For-lease monetizable content

2. Video.js

Player Type	Pricing
Open Source	Free

Video.js is an open-source HTML5 player supported on both desktop and mobile, as well as on an array of internet browsers. What’s more, the video player comes with a long list of available plug-ins and supports an array of video file formats, from mp4 to WebM.

However, as with a large portion of open-source software, you need to have the basic know-how of scripting to be able to enjoy everything this player brings to the table. It may also exhibit some compatibility issues with other libraries.

Video.js Key Features:

Open-source player
Desktop and mobile support
Extensive video format support
Long list of available plugins
CSS-based customization

3. Dolby OptiView

Player Type	Pricing
Premium	Custom

Dolby OptiView is a popular premium online video player that comes packed with handy features. The player is compatible with web browsers, iOS, Android, CTV apps, and more. It comes with dozens of different integrations available, MPEG-DASH and HLS streaming, high customizability, and extensive SDK support.

Dolby OptiView is likely one of the best video player solutions on the market right now, and it is the go-to choice for many large businesses, from CNN to Peacock. However, this popularity comes at a very steep price. While the player’s pricing is no longer publically available, I remember it being among the costliest ones a couple of years ago.

Dolby OptiView Key Features:

HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming
Extensive cross-device support
Multi-DRM support
Video advertising support
Extensive player customization
Video performance analytics

4. Flowplayer

Player Type	Pricing
Premium	Custom

Flowplayer Native is another popular video player, and it has been around for quite some time. It is a feature-rich piece of software with extensive customization options, various available plugins, Chromecast and Airplay support, DRM capabilities, and more.

Aside from the player itself, Flowplayer also offers video hosting services, AI-powered transcriptions, detailed video analytics, and live and VOD streaming support. In terms of monetization, Flowplayer is optimized to serve advertisements, including all three main types of instream video ads.

The platform, along with the player, comes with custom pricing tailored to each individual client. Although an extensive list of tools and features is available, they all have the potential to affect the final cost considerably.

Flowplayer Key Features:

Vast customization options
API and plugins
DRM technology capabilities
VOD and live streaming support
Ad-based monetization
Part of an online video platform

5. JPlayer

Player Type	Pricing
Open Source	Free

The open-source, cross-platform player, JPlayer supports both video and audio streaming. It can be entirely customized using HTML and CSS and comes with no licensing restrictions. It is compatible with all the most popular browsers, operating systems, and devices. With both HTML5 and Flash support, JPlayer can play a wide array of video and audio formats. 

The downsides of using JPlayer are the ones that come with almost any open-source software. Some programming knowledge is necessary, and there is no customer support. On top of this, if you want to monetize your videos or track their performance, you will likely have to resort to third-party integrations.

JPlayer Key Features:

Support for a variety of devices, OSs, and browsers
Detailed documentation available
Supports both video and audio streaming
Full customization via HTML and CSS
No licensing restrictions

6. JW Player

Player Type	Pricing
Premium	Custom

JW Player is likely one of the most popular premium online video players on the market and for a good reason. It boasts very low latency using HLS and DASH streaming, and it relies on multiple content delivery networks. The player is optimized for ad serving, and it features an array of engagement-boosting tools designed to increase your video ad revenue. 

The player is part of a comprehensive video management platform with an array of tools for video streaming, management, and monetization. The platform also has white-label OTT apps, live streaming support, extensive content protection features, and more.

One of the main drawbacks of JW Player is the non-transparent pricing. In order to know how much this platform and its player would cost you, you need to contact their customer support, and they will come up with a custom-tailored solution. 

JW Player Key Features:

Low-latency player
HLS and DASH adaptive streaming
Player SDKs
Optimized for ad serving
Video performance analytics
Fully customizable player

7. MediaElement.js

Player Type	Pricing
Open Source	Free

MediaElement is a JavaScript library for audio and video playback. It is open-source and entirely free to download and use. The player comes with a long list of available plug-ins and supports all of the most common video and audio formats. It also has streaming support for YouTube, SoundCloud, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and Facebook.

As with any other open-source player, MediaElement has its flaws. Most notably, it requires a bit of programming knowledge, and it may glitch occasionally.

MediaElement.js Key Features:

Open-source and completely free
Array of plug-ins available
Support for most video and audio formats
HTML and CSS-based
Compatibility with most browsers

8. Bitmovin

Player Type	Pricing
Premium	Custom

Bitmovin’s player is a fast, reliable piece of software with an array of accompanying features. It relies on adaptive bitrate streaming to deliver a smooth viewing experience. It comes with available player SDKs for the web, Android, iOS, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and OTT devices.

Some of the feature highlights include optimization for ad serving, DRM support, detailed analytics, a completely customizable user interface, and a Stream Lab, where you can test the performance of the player before making it available to your audience. 

On top of the player, Bitmovin is a platform with tools and features such as live streaming support, video encoding technology, real-time analytics, and private video hosting.

In terms of pricing, Bitmovin offers its clients two options: a plan with no fixed monthly costs (charged on a per-usage basis) and a custom plan tailored to your needs.

Bitmovin Key Features:

Adaptive bitrate streaming
Cross-device support
Subtitles and captions
Optimized for advertising
DRM technology
Video analytics

9. Dash.js

Player Type	Pricing
Open Source	Free

Dash is one of the most popular open-source players on the market. The low-latency MPEG-DASH player supports most video codecs and is compatible with all of the most commonly used browsers. Adaptive bitrate streaming and DRM technology are also available. 

Being an open-source player, Dash requires solid knowledge of coding basics, especially if you intend to use the player commercially. This also means that, if you need any enterprise-level features, such as any video monetization model, you will likely have to implement them yourself.

Dash.js Key Features:

One of the best open-source players
Support across most browsers and devices
Adaptive bitrate streaming
High customizability

10. Kaltura

Player Type	Pricing
Premium	Non-Transparent

Kaltura’s HTML5 player is a great choice for webinars, virtual classrooms, and all kinds of virtual events. It is a highly customizable, lightweight, and low-latency piece of software. The player is an integral part of the Kaltura video streaming platform. 

Kaltura is best known as an e-learning and webinar solution. The comprehensive video content management system features tools such as video analytics, integrations with various software solutions, high-quality video transcoding, and more.

Kaltura was built with virtual events and classrooms in mind. While that makes it a great e-learning solution, it is also not the best choice for businesses in other industries. On top of this, Kaltura’s pricing is complex and not entirely transparent. 

Kaltura Key Features:

Lightweight, fast video player
Video performance analytics
Highly customizable UI
Interactive engagement-boosting features
Adaptive bitrate delivery
Part of a comprehensive video CMS

11. Plyr

Player Type	Pricing
Open Source	Free

While not as well-known as some other open-source online video players, Plyr definitely gives them a run for their money. It is an easy-to-use HTML5 player with an array of useful features, such as captions in multiple languages, keyboard shortcuts, custom player branding, CSS-based stylization, and more. One of the main perks of choosing Plyr over other open-source options is that it includes Video Intelligence integration, which makes ad-based monetization possible.

Plyr Key Features:

Smaller learning curve than other open-source players
Closed captions in several languages
High customization and branding options
Monetization support through Video Intelligence
YouTube and Vimeo support
Cross-device and cross-browser support

12. Wowza

Player Type	Pricing
Premium	Usage-based & fixed plans

Wowza’s premium HTML5 player delivers high-quality videos on an array of devices, from mobile phones to CTVs. The low-latency player supports 360 and VR videos and features high-end security tools. It is fully customizable, brandable, and equipped with detailed viewer engagement analytics. Lastly, it is optimized for ad serving, so if you’re planning on monetizing content, this is definitely an option to consider.

Wowza is a full-fledged video management platform that supports both VOD and live streaming. It comes with an array of tools to make running a video-focused business easier. 

Wowza Key Features:

Low-latency HTML5 player
Highly customizable and brandable
Engagement-boosting features
Viewer engagement analytics
Advertising support

13. Ultimate Video Player

Player Type	Pricing
Premium	Starts at $59

Ultimate Video Player by FWDesign is a comprehensive, user-friendly online video player supported by Envato. It comes with high-end content protection features, such as video encryption, password protection, and required log-ins. It is compatible with pretty much any device that has a screen and an internet connection. 

The player has settings for playback quality, subtitles in different languages, playback speed, thumbnail preview, and more. It supports an array of file formats and has several playlist styles available. 

Most importantly, Ultimate Video Player comes with extensive advertising support, including VAST and VMAP tags, Google AdSense integration, built-in pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll ads, outstream ad formats, and more. However, in order to be able to monetize content with Ultimate Video Player, you will need the Extended License, which is more expensive. 

Ultimate Video Player Key Features:

Content protection features
Cross-device compatibility
User engagement features
Supports most video and audio formats
Some customizability
Google Analytics integration
Extensive ad support at extra charge

14. Wistia

Player Type	Pricing
Premium	Starts at $19/month

Wistia’s premium video player has all the features a good online player should have. It uses adaptive bitrate streaming with HLS to ensure a smooth viewing experience, it comes packed with engagement tools, and it is easy to embed.

The player can serve videos both on desktop and mobile, and it can be customized to match the look of your website. It has built-in social media sharing buttons and is compatible with keyboard controls. A high level of interactivity is also available through tools such as turnstiles, CTAs, annotation links, and so on.

Wistia is an extensive video platform that offers more than just a player. It allows you to host videos on their servers, record and edit them on the platform, stream live content, monetize through SVOD, and more. Although Wistia does have a free plan, it comes with very limited features and tools, including a branded player.

Wistia Key Features:

Adaptive bitrate streaming with HLS
Compatible with desktop and mobile
Engagement-boosting features
Monetization through SVOD
Full online video platform

15. Radiant Media Player

Player Type	Pricing
Premium	Starts at $95/month

Radiant Media Player is a next-gen premium player of choice for companies such as Verizon and Fyber. It is compatible with web browsers, mobile devices, and OTT apps of all kinds. It comes with hundreds of customization settings, including skins, icons, buttons, colors, and more. 

Some other important features the player comes with include DRM technology, multi-language support, accessibility through keyboard controls, captions, chaptering, extensive video analytics, and more. The player is also optimized to serve all kinds of ad formats. The ad support includes features such as video header bidding and server-side ad insertion. 

Unfortunately, the most useful features of Radiant Media Player are reserved for the more expensive plan. What’s more, the pay-as-you-go pricing model makes it somewhat difficult to predict your actual expenses for this product.

Radiant Media Player Key Features:

Cross-device support
Extensive video analytics
Advertising support and header bidding
DRM technology support
Extensive accessibility features

Which Online Video Player Should You Choose?

Having a reliable HTML5 player is the first step to building a successful video-focused business. In other words, the choice you’re facing is by no means an easy one. All of the online video players I listed above have valuable features that could make your job easier.

My advice? Give TargetVideo’s Managed Video Player a shot. I know I might be biased, but the all-in-one approach really makes the publisher’s job much easier. The integration of the video player with TargetVideo’s demand makes for a sure-fire ad revenue strategy. Not to mention that the expert support team is always just an e-mail or a phone call away.

Try out our lightweight, low-latency HTML5 player today — I promise you won’t regret it.

End-to-end solution for publisher monetization, video content, and audience engagement. You embed the player – we do the rest!

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