Video is a rich media format that allows for much more nuanced and expressive messages to be shared, and it is used widely in many industries for both internal and external communication. With this in mind, simple creation, archiving, and retrieval of video files is an important task that requires the use of high-quality software capable of following the pace of the project.
Panopto is one of the software suites that many people use to easily create and manage video libraries dedicated to any topic and use videos to communicate among them. This software automates and simplifies the process to the point that it’s often more practical to use video rather than text. Of course, it’s hardly the only app that can deliver this function, so it’s fair to ask whether any of the Panopto competitors might actually have a better product.
Why Do You Need a Panopto Alternative?
Back in 2007 when Panopto was first launched, some of its features were extremely innovative and helped set new standards in many spheres of digital communications. This software has survived for so long because of its reliability, smartly designed features, and unprecedented ease of multimedia creation and sharing. While it still remains a viable option, there are now many newer and more complete video management platforms that could be valid replacements.
Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider trying out one of the Panopto alternatives and competitors:
As one of the best Panopto alternatives, we first recommend Gemoo Recorder. Since Gemoo Recorder is not only a video and audio recording tool, it can also be your video management platform. As a rookie in the market, Gemoo Recorder makes up for the shortcomings of Panopto, has more practical functions, and is becoming more and more popular.
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Pricing options: Free
As one of the earliest video hosting platforms that found their place in the market, Wistia has been a rival of Panopto for a long time. This software is most commonly used in marketing, but its video hosting and analytics capacities can be a catalyst for many different activities. The platform allows full customization and branding, essentially acting as a white-label solution.
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Pricing options: Free version is available, Plus plan costs $19 monthly, Pro plan is offered for $79 monthly
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When it comes to using video for educational purposes, Eurekos might be the best Panopto alternative in the market. Its qualities are also valued in the corporate sector, where it’s frequently used for employee training and other tasks. To put it simply, this asynchronous video platform can be a powerful teaching tool that makes multimedia communication feel completely natural.
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Pricing options: Free demo is available, full package price is based on the number of learners
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Anyone who was working with video over the last decade is likely aware of what the Cincopa software suite can deliver. This is a SaaS platform that can be accessed from anywhere, and it brings together a collection of tools perfectly suited for enterprise-level video content management. Due to its extreme versatility, it creates value for organizations of any size.
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Pricing options: Free demo can be downloaded, Plus plan costs $25 monthly, Corporate is $99 per month
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Video management platforms don’t have to be complex in order to deliver a lot of value, and FlipGrid demonstrates this very clearly. This app facilitates video conversations in small groups and is sometimes described as the future of learning. It has all the fun characteristics of a modern social media app, even if it serves a serious purpose.
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Pricing options: Completely free
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This is another old-school video hosting platform that’s been around since 2004 and has earned the respect of many loyal users. It is suitable for any type of organization and allows instant commercialization of multimedia through direct engagement with the audiences. Of course, it includes a video player as well as a range of other functionalities that businesses find valuable.
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Pricing options: Free trial (30 days), quote for the full suite available on request
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Describing this software package as smart would be an understatement, as it actively feeds users with a trove of useful information that improves business intelligence and directly impacts sales. Brightcove is a modern video streaming platform that has separate solutions for specific industries and provides a very secure pathway between content creators and their audiences.
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Pricing options: free trial is provided, and details about pricing for a specific deployment can be requested
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Well-known to experienced creative professionals and video artists, Vimeo is one of the video hosting platforms that have consistently provided excellent service for a long time. For some tasks, it could be considered the most logical Panopto alternative or at least a solid short-term replacement. It works great for individuals, small creative teams, or serious business organizations.
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Pricing options: Free version is available, Starter pack is $9 per seat monthly, Standard plan costs $25 per month per seat
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Since this software was developed primarily with digital marketers in mind, its adoption can seriously affect the bottom line while keeping the work fun and engaging. Producing and distributing videos is streamlined to save time, while detailed insights about each multimedia item and its impact on the viewers are provided in real time.
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Pricing options: Free, $29 per month for the Pro plan. Prices for the Business plan are available upon request
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Most users expect speed and reliability from their video hosting platform, which is why Hippo is usually leaving a great first impression. Powered by AI algorithms and very customizable, this software can adjust to the shape of your business and fuel its growth in many different ways. Even more importantly, communications can be made more interactive and focused on clients’ needs.
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Pricing options: Starter pack costs $15 per month, Pro pack is offered for $30 monthly
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This platform supports all stages of the video communication process, from recording the raw footage to sharing the final product with customers. VidGrid is used widely by businesses of every size as well as educational institutions to simplify and turbocharge the interaction with broad audiences. It leverages new technology to outperform the previous generation of video hosting services by a wide margin.
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Pricing options: Price is determined for each user based on the scope of provided services
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Kaltura Video Cloud is a comprehensive video management platform that offers a range of features to help businesses and individuals manage their video content. It is a cloud-based solution that allows users to upload, manage, and distribute their videos across multiple platforms and devices.
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Are there more advanced video hosting and sharing platforms than Panopto?
Considering when Panopto was first launched, it doesn’t surprise that many of the newer entrants into the video hosting arena are equipped with some functions that open additional possibilities. That’s especially the case with software platforms that successfully integrate social or analytic features into the distribution model.
Which Panopto alternatives or competitors are best for the educational sector?
While most of the products from this list can be used for teaching purposes without reservations, there are a few that are tailor-made for educators. In this sense, Eurekos and FlipGrid stand out from the crowd as they have features designed specifically with educational use in mind while delivering solid all-around performance.
Which Panopto competitors or alternatives are recommended to small and medium businesses?
Smaller companies may be priced out of the premium versions of enterprise video hosting platforms, so they need to seek Panopto alternatives that offer a more favorable cost-to-performance ratio. Depending on their field of business, employee skills, and other factors, SMEs should be able to discover a package that fits their needs perfectly.
What features should I look for in a Panopto alternative?
The features you should look for in a Panopto alternative will depend on your specific needs. Some important features to consider include ease of use, video quality, customization options, analytics, and integrations with other tools.
Panopto can still be an effective video distribution channel, especially if you are used to it. However, demanding educational or business users might want to consider an upgrade. With so many impressive Panopto alternatives and competitors present in the market, it shouldn’t be hard to identify a video hosting and sharing platform that can play a similar role for the organization that Panopto once did. Some of the new features might pleasantly surprise users whose expectations haven’t evolved as fast as the available technologies that allow video distribution and live streaming on a truly global scale. However, there are big variations in price, so this should be factored into the decision.