With faster and more dependable internet connections, online video sharing sites have become a hit, especially with the upsurge of active participation from users. Videos easily make up for the majority of the content we consume online content today. And with the rise of augmented and virtual reality, the demand is likely to increase even further. So, we have compiled a list of some of the best video sharing sites and apps in 2022. They include content from both original entertainers and creators, as well as users.
The list also talks about some of the most popular live streaming services which you must be aware of – whether you’re a creator yourself or simply a follower. So without any further delay, here are the best video sharing sites and apps that you should check out:
- YouTube
- Vimeo
- TikTok
- Facebook Watch
- Twitch
- DailyMotion
- IGTV by Instagram
- byte
- LBRY
- Metacafe
- Bonus: VEVO
1. YouTube
Owned by Google parent Alphabet, YouTube makes the best use of machine learning for indexing and compiling suggestions for users and has support for up to 8K as well as HDR content that can be uploaded in any of the popular video formats. It means that there are many possibilities for creators to make money via YouTube.
2. Vimeo
While YouTube is undoubtedly the most popular video-sharing platform, Vimeo remains probably the best alternative to Google‘s offering. Unlike YouTube, Vimeo doesn’t feature advertisements either at the beginning or in-between the videos, which is great from the audience’s point of view. Besides, it allows creators to upload HD videos and has a maximum upload limit of 500 MB/week for the Basic Free plan. After the elimination of the ‘Tip Jar’ feature, Vimeo uploaders now primarily focus on earning through their videos by a ‘Video-on-demand’ model.
The only downside to using Vimeo for video content creators is that most goodies are available for Vimeo Pro users as the Basic Free plan is quite limited. Supporting uploads in multiple file formats, Vimeo provides its premium content creators with 90% of the revenues through their own videos. Uploading videos across multiple platforms is a great promotion and marketing strategy, and Vimeo is one such service that ought to be on the top of upload priority for a content creator. Providing the audience with the best quality of videos with the least intervention is what Vimeo is all about.
3. TikTok
TikTok may not be available in India anymore, but its popularity around the world is at a record high. Lip-syncing videos have become a craze today, and you should give credit to TikTok for playing a significant role. This video-sharing platform has kind of become a go-to destination for folks who love to watch short videos of all kinds, including gaming, DIY, sports, comedy, and more. So, whether you are fond of fun-loving videos or like to create eye-catching clips, you shouldn’t miss out on this one.
4. Facebook Watch
Facebook, the largest social media platform, is also the home of one of the most diverse catalogs of video content generated by both users themselves, brand pages, and creators. And to compete with offerings from YouTube, Facebook Watch comes with several notable features, including the ability to watch any video with friends. Here you can explore the latest videos uploaded by creators and your favorite Facebook pages in a scrollable format with a highly personalized feed.
5. Twitch
If you are a gaming geek who would love to stream their gaming videos on the web, Twitch is a great platform to do so. Twitch is a video game streaming service on the web. This network allows users to stream their games with a maximum bitrate of 3500. For those advanced gamers looking forward to cashing in on the revenue sharing model of Twitch, it is one of the best networks to stream your games. Although Twitch hasn’t publicized any specifics regarding the share that its content partners would be receiving, it has more than 11,000 partnered content creators on the network.
6. DailyMotion
Dailymotion is another popular video sharing site on the web. The site allows users to view, upload and share videos through the network. With a file size limit of 2GB and a video length limit of 60 minutes per video, Dailymotion is a widely popular video sharing service on the web. Also, using the Dailymotion Publishing Partner program, content creators can earn a share of the revenue from their monetized videos. Offered through in-video advertisements, paid content, and monetization through an own website, Dailymotion offers the best flexible revenue sharing models for content creators.
- Upload limits: 2 GB of file size and 60 minutes of video length;
- Supported video formats: .3gp, .avi, .divx, m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mp4, .mpeg, .mpg,. ogg, .wmv etc.
- Revenue Sharing: Video monetization, Paid content, and website monetization; Partners receive 70% of the share of all the revenues from their videos.
- Premium Plans and Pricing: None.
- Visit: Website
- Download: Android / iOS
7. IGTV by Instagram
Integrated with Instagram, IGTV serves the class of users looking for short-form video content in portrait (vertical) format. This is targeted at smartphone users and its easy scroll and tap gestures feed you a platter of easily consumable content. You can either use IGTV directly using its standalone app or from within the Instagram app.
8. byte
If you were heartbroken after Vine shut down in 2016, you already might have heard about its resurrection in the form of byte earlier last year. For those of you who don’t know Vine, it was a platform for user-generated 6-second-long (mostly goofy and cringe) videos, which can be seen as the precursor to currently leading platforms such as TikTok.
Vine’s co-creator Dom Hofmann first announced his plans to start work on version 2.0 of Vine in 2019. The launch was, however, delayed due to a financial crunch. Finally, Dom launched the 6-second video-sharing app byte in January 2020 amid much fanfare. As per data from Sensor Tower, the app saw well over 1.3 million downloads in the first week of its launch, with the US leading the chart (70%) followed by the UK and Canada. What caught my eyes in this video-sharing app is the fully personalized feed curated by human editors. It ensures you get to watch the sort of clips that appeal to your fancy the most
9. LBRY
Thanks to the promise of decentralization, digital security, and freedom from corporate monopoly, blockchain applications have gained significant traction over the past few years. LBRY is one such video sharing site that allows creators to take complete control of what content they share. It also lets them set a price of their own choice or filter out vandals. If videos are available for free, creators can accept tips from viewers.
10. Metacafe
Metacafe is a popular video-sharing site with millions of short videos. The categories range from movies to video games, sports to music, TV to fashion, and more. The company behind the website says it uses a special ranking algorithm that ensures the uploaded videos are of high quality. Each video can be uploaded only once, ensuring that there are no duplicates.
One of the oldest websites on this list, Metacafe was originally similar to other video streaming platforms, such as YouTube or Dailymotion. However, it turned to short-format videos once Google’s all-conquering video site upended the industry for good. Metacafe is advertising-supported and shares its revenues with creators as part of its ‘Producer rewards’ program. Payouts depend on the number of views. For popular videos that hit 20,000 views, Metacafe reportedly pays $5 for every 1,000 views.
Bonus: VEVO
If you are a music artist, VEVO allows artists to set up their premium channel on its platform. Part of Vydia media, VEVO allows all artists to create a channel, upload videos, and maintain their channel on the web. Available only in United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, VEVO is made available to audiences based only out of these locations, although users can access your content across 200 countries through VEVO’s partnership with YouTube. VEVO is more of a distribution network, that allows users to upload their content through Vydia media and get them distributed across VEVO and other networks.
Show Off Your Creativity on the Top Video-Sharing Sites
Videos enjoy the advantage of being more immersive than text or images, and for this reason, engage more users. YouTube and Facebook envisioned this long back and have increased our focus on video content and there’s no major competitor in sight. We have listed some of the most promising video sharing sites and apps. They will help feed your appetite for an endless supply of videos suited to your taste.
