Dacast

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 2008
Developer: Dacast
Pricing: Monthly/annual subscriptions starting from trial with limits
Open source: No
Platforms: Web

Indexes

Live Streaming

Overview

Dacast is a cloud-based platform for live streaming and video hosting, enabling users to broadcast live events, manage on-demand videos, and deliver content worldwide. It targets non-profits, event agencies, and businesses, offering tools for video upload, transcoding, monetization, and analytics. Key aspects include white-labeling for branding, HTML5 players, and API access for custom integrations.

Key Features

Live Streaming - Broadcast live videos with low-latency options and multi-channel support.
Video Hosting - Store and manage on-demand videos with bulk upload and scheduling.
White-Labeling - Customize players, interfaces, and landing pages with logos, colors, and fonts.
Monetization Tools - Add paywalls and revenue options to streams and videos.
Analytics Dashboard - Track audience engagement and video performance via reports and graphs.
Transcoding - Convert videos to multiple formats for high-definition playback.
Security Features - Apply country/domain restrictions and secure streaming protocols.
User Roles - Assign permissions like owner, admin, editor, creator, or custom roles.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free Trial	Free for 14 days	10GB bandwidth, 2GB storage, viewer-unlimited but capacity-limited.
Starter	From $39/month	Basic live streaming, video hosting, analytics (exact tiers vary).
Event	From $63/month	Higher bandwidth, multi-channel support, monetization.
Scale	From $165/month	Advanced features, API access, priority support.

Platforms & Requirements

Dacast operates entirely as a web-based platform accessible via any modern browser on desktop or mobile devices. No software installation required; uses top-tier CDNs for global delivery. Free trial has bandwidth and storage limits, with paid plans scaling capacity.

Integrations & Ecosystem

API for VOD, live streams, playlists, and embeds
Social network broadcasting
Hardware/software encoders (e.g., with username/password setup)
HTML5 embeddable players
Analytics export
Payment gateways for monetization
Custom workflows via developer portal

Alternatives

App	Difference
Vimeo Livestream	Focuses more on creative professionals with built-in editing tools, less emphasis on enterprise white-labeling.
Wowza	Provides more customizable streaming engines for developers, higher complexity than Dacast's user-friendly dashboard.
IBM Cloud Video	Enterprise-grade with deeper security compliance, but higher cost and steeper learning curve.
Brightcove	Targets large media companies with advanced ad tech, less accessible for small events.

Reputation

Dacast is regarded as reliable for straightforward live streaming with easy setup and low-latency performance, praised for 24/7 support and monetization options. Users note limitations in free trials due to bandwidth caps and occasional complaints about pricing for high-volume use. Overall, it holds a solid position for mid-sized events and businesses seeking an all-in-one platform.

Sources (10)