Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

JW Player VS Wowza

Compare JW Player VS Wowza and see what are their differences

JW Player logo JW Player

JW Player is an embeddable media player.

Wowza logo Wowza

Streaming media server supporting all known streaming protocols.
  • JW Player Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-25
  • Wowza Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-11

JW Player

Pricing URL
-
Release Date
2004 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
New York
City
New York
Founder(s)
Adam Fawer
Employees
100 - 249

JW Player features and specs

  • Customization
    JW Player offers extensive customization options, allowing developers to tailor the video player to fit their branding and functionality requirements.
  • Streaming Quality
    The platform supports adaptive bitrate streaming which provides a smooth viewing experience by adjusting video quality based on user's internet connection.
  • Analytics
    JW Player includes comprehensive analytics tools to track viewer engagement, viewership trends, and performance metrics.
  • Monetization
    It has built-in support for monetization through ads, offering integration with various ad networks and ad technologies.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    JW Player is compatible with multiple devices and platforms, including desktop browsers, mobile devices, and smart TVs.
  • Ease of Integration
    The player can be easily integrated with CMSs, frameworks, and various web technologies through its comprehensive API and developer tools.

Possible disadvantages of JW Player

  • Cost
    JW Player can be expensive, especially for small businesses and individual creators, as it charges based on usage and additional features.
  • Learning Curve
    There can be a steep learning curve for new users who are not familiar with advanced video player settings and customizations.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of JW Player has limited capabilities and branding, which might not be sufficient for professional use.
  • Ads Restrictions
    There are some limitations and restrictions when it comes to integrating third-party ad services, which can be a drawback for certain users.
  • Customer Support
    While JW Player offers customer support, some users have reported waiting times and variable quality of service.

Wowza features and specs

  • Scalability
    Wowza Streaming Engine is known for its ability to scale efficiently, accommodating anything from small-scale to large-scale streaming demands without significant performance issues.
  • Versatile Protocol Support
    Wowza supports a wide array of streaming protocols including HLS, RTMP, and MPEG-DASH, making it highly versatile for different streaming requirements and devices.
  • Customizability
    The platform offers extensive customization options through its API, allowing developers to tailor the streaming service extensively to fit specific application needs.
  • Adaptive Bitrate Streaming
    Wowza provides adaptive bitrate streaming which enhances viewer experience by adjusting the video quality in real-time to match network conditions and device capabilities.
  • Extensive Documentation and Support
    Wowza offers comprehensive documentation and dedicated customer support which aids users in efficiently deploying and troubleshooting the platform.

Possible disadvantages of Wowza

  • Complexity
    The platform can be complex to set up and manage, especially for those who do not have prior experience with streaming technologies.
  • Cost
    Wowza can be relatively expensive, particularly for small businesses or hobbyists, due to licensing fees and potential additional costs for scaling.
  • Hardware Requirements
    Running Wowza efficiently may require significant hardware resources, which could be burdensome for organizations with limited infrastructure.
  • Learning Curve
    There is a steep learning curve associated with mastering Wowza, meaning that time and effort are needed to become proficient in its use.
  • Dependency on Third-party Plugins
    While Wowza is highly extensible, it often relies on third-party plugins to extend functionality, which may introduce compatibility issues or require additional costs.

Analysis of JW Player

Overall verdict

  • Overall, JW Player is a strong choice for those seeking a reliable and feature-rich video player solution. It is particularly well-regarded for its performance, scalability, and security features, making it a popular choice among businesses and professional content creators.

Why this product is good

  • JW Player is considered good due to its robust streaming capabilities, ease of integration, and support for a wide range of video formats and devices. It provides advanced features such as DRM protection, adaptive streaming, and detailed analytics, which are beneficial for businesses looking to optimize their video content delivery. Additionally, its customizable player allows users to brand their video content and improve viewer engagement.

Recommended for

  • Media companies and broadcasters looking for a scalable video streaming solution
  • Businesses that require a customizable video player with branding capabilities
  • Content creators who need detailed analytics to measure audience engagement
  • Organizations that prioritize security with features like DRM and advanced content protection
  • Developers who seek a flexible and integrative video platform with extensive API support

Analysis of Wowza

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Wowza is generally regarded as a good solution for professional and enterprise-level streaming needs. Its versatility and robust features make it a preferred choice for businesses that require a reliable and scalable streaming solution.

Why this product is good

  • Wowza is considered a strong choice for streaming solutions due to its robust and flexible platform that supports multiple streaming protocols and codecs, offering reliable and scalable streaming services. It provides comprehensive customization options and features like adaptive bitrate streaming, real-time analytics, and cloud-based or on-premise deployment options. Additionally, Wowza is often praised for its excellent customer support and extensive documentation that help users maximize the platform's potential.

Recommended for

  • Enterprises looking for a scalable and customizable streaming solution
  • Developers who need support for multiple protocols and codecs
  • Organizations seeking reliable and professional-grade streaming services
  • Content creators and broadcasters wanting adaptive bitrate streaming and real-time analytics

JW Player videos

JW Player Employee Reviews - Q3 2018

More videos:

  • Tutorial - របៀប Download video ពី JW Player | How to download video from JW Player
  • Tutorial - How to use JW Player 7 with Wowza Streaming Engine
  • Review - JW Player Review: Daily user of JWPlayer
  • Review - Find Out About the Application Process at JW Player

Wowza videos

WMSPanel daily statistics for Wowza Media Server

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to JW Player and Wowza)
Video Platform
69 69%
31% 31
Video
0 0%
100% 100
YouTube Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Marketing Platform
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare JW Player and Wowza

JW Player Reviews

Top 26 Alternatives to Vimeo in 2024: Pricing, Features & More
JW Player is one of the alternatives to Vimeo that offers live streaming at a competitive price. So if you’re just starting live streaming and don’t want to pay the hefty costs to live stream on Vimeo, JW Player is Meta description: Explore the best Vimeo alternatives with our comprehensive 2024 guide. Choose from 26 platforms with detailed insights on features, pricing,...
Source: www.dacast.com
Best Online Video Platforms In 2023
Regarding online video platforms, JW Player can also be a fine option. Whether you’re a content creator or a business, JW Player’s versatile features cater to your videos. Its powerful API and analytics capabilities make it a standout choice for those looking to deliver an exemplary video experience.
Source: medium.com

Wowza Reviews

Top 26 Alternatives to Vimeo in 2024: Pricing, Features & More
Live streaming services come with Wowza Video Cloud Streaming, the second offering. The Cloud Streaming functionality includes various features aimed at providing low-latency video content access to global audiences of all sizes. Wowza Cloud Streaming is comparable to the functionality of Vimeo.
Source: www.dacast.com
Navigating the Live Streaming Landscape: Spotlight on StreamingVideoProvider
Meanwhile, platforms like Dacast and Wowza enrich the live streaming tapestry with their distinctive solutions. Dacast, with its emphasis on white-label services and secure streaming, provides a balanced, reliable experience. On the other hand, Wowza, with its low-latency solutions and customizable features, emphasizes real-time interactions and user empowerment.
Source: medium.com
The Complete List of Video Marketing Tools (Updated for 2022)
Wowza is a streaming engine that is easy to set up. It supports various formats of live stream, linear and on-demand content to any device.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing JW Player and Wowza, you can also consider the following products

VideoJS - VideoJS is an HTML5 Video Player, built with Javascript and CSS, with a fallback to a Flash video...

Ant Media Server - Scalable, Ultra Low Latency & Adaptive WebRTC Streaming Ant Media Server provides Scalable Ultra-low latency (0.5 seconds) Adaptive Live Streaming with WebRTC. It supports RTMP, RTSP, Zixi, SRT, LL-HLS,LL-DASH,WebRTC, Adaptive Bitrate and recording.

Plyr - A simple, accessible and customisable HTML5 media player

Red5 Pro - Server software designed for ultra-low sub-250 ms latency streaming at scale

Wistia - Host, manage, and track your videos with the best video marketing tools in the (known) universe.

MistServer - MistServer is a lightweight, open-source multistandard multimedia server.