Wowza Streaming
Live stream software
Video platform as a service (VPaaS) software
Video software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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What is Wowza Streaming
Wowza Streaming is a video streaming software platform used to ingest, transcode, package, and deliver live and on-demand video to web and mobile players. It is commonly used by media teams, enterprises, and developers that need to run their own streaming workflows, integrate streaming into applications, or support multiple protocols and devices. The product is offered as software components and managed services, with APIs and configuration options aimed at custom streaming pipelines. It focuses on streaming infrastructure and protocol support rather than end-to-end webinar/event production features.
Broad protocol and format support
Wowza supports common streaming protocols and packaging formats used for live and VOD delivery, including RTMP ingest and HTTP-based playback formats such as HLS and MPEG-DASH. This helps teams serve a wide range of devices and player environments without redesigning the workflow. It also supports common streaming features such as adaptive bitrate (ABR) delivery patterns. This infrastructure focus fits organizations that need protocol flexibility more than a fixed publishing workflow.
API-driven integration options
The platform provides APIs and configuration capabilities that allow developers and video engineering teams to integrate streaming into existing applications and backend systems. This is useful for building custom live channels, automating stream provisioning, and connecting to third-party encoders, CDNs, and DRM/security components. Compared with tools centered on studio recording or webinar production, it is oriented toward programmable streaming operations. This can reduce reliance on manual setup for repeatable streaming use cases.
Deployable across environments
Wowza is used in both managed and self-managed deployment models, which can support different operational and compliance requirements. Organizations can choose architectures that align with internal infrastructure standards, network constraints, or data residency needs. This flexibility can be important for broadcasters, enterprises, and SaaS providers embedding streaming. It also enables teams to standardize streaming components across multiple products or business units.
Not an event production suite
Wowza focuses on streaming infrastructure (ingest, processing, packaging, delivery) rather than audience-facing event experiences. Features commonly expected in webinar and virtual event tools—such as registration, email workflows, speaker green rooms, interactive Q&A/polls, and event analytics dashboards—typically require additional products. Teams running marketing webinars or large virtual events may need to assemble a broader stack. This can increase implementation time and vendor management.
Operational complexity for non-engineers
Because it is designed for configurable streaming pipelines, setup and ongoing operations can require video engineering knowledge (encoders, bitrates, protocols, player behavior, and CDN configuration). Organizations without dedicated streaming expertise may face a steeper learning curve than with more guided video platforms. Troubleshooting live delivery issues can also require deeper technical diagnostics. This can shift effort from content teams to engineering or IT.
Costs depend on usage and architecture
Streaming costs can vary based on concurrency, egress/bandwidth, transcoding, and deployment choices, which makes budgeting less straightforward than fixed-seat video tools. If a solution relies on multiple components (e.g., CDN, DRM, analytics, player), total cost of ownership can rise beyond the core streaming service. Organizations should model peak live events and ongoing VOD delivery to estimate spend. Procurement may require more detailed technical scoping than simpler video hosting products.
Plan & Pricing
Wowza Streaming Engine (tiered plans)
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| One Month of Streaming | $295 one-time (first instance included) | Fully customizable on‑prem streaming server; up to 10 concurrent, transcoded channels; additional instances $295. |
| Basic Monthly | $195 per month (first instance included) | Fully customizable on‑prem streaming server; up to 10 concurrent, transcoded channels; additional instances $195. |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Annual plans and discounted rates available; hybrid cloud services (CDN, analytics, player); offline keys and professional services — contact sales. |
Wowza Video (usage-based / pay-as-you-go)
Pricing model: Pay-as-you-go (also offers a One Month of Streaming fixed plan and Enterprise plans) Subscription fee: $0 per month for Pay-as-you-go (you only pay for usage) One Month of Streaming (fixed plan): $149 one-time (includes 15 streaming hours and 500 viewing hours) Example costs (Pay-as-you-go): Streaming hours – $2.50 per streaming hour (passthrough: $1 per hour); Viewing hours – $0.10 per viewer hour; Storage – $0.20 per GB per month; Additional stream targets – $0.25 per hour. Enterprise: Custom pricing (contact sales)
Seller details
Wowza Media Systems, LLC
Golden, Colorado, USA
2005
Private
https://www.wowza.com/
https://x.com/wowza
https://www.linkedin.com/company/wowza-media-systems/
