Traditionally, creating unique and engaging imagery for social media platforms often required a basic understanding of image editing tools. Adding text to images, changing photo orientation, and tinkering with different visual styles for each social network was tedious and frustrating. But not anymore.
With Jetpack Social Advanced, you can overlay custom text onto your images and choose from a variety of styles to increase engagement on your social posts. Most importantly, you’ll save time by doing it all within the WordPress editor.
Choose your image & add custom text
Jetpack Social Advanced gives you the freedom to create social images with custom text applied to them. This is handy if you often have long blog post titles for SEO purposes, but prefer to use specific calls-to-action with your social media post images.
Sometimes the featured image of your blog post may not be the best fit to share on social platforms. With the Jetpack Social Image Generator, you can choose to share your featured image, select a different image from your media library, upload a new image, or select “no image†if you just want to create a text-based image for your socials.
Pick a template to make it your own
Tie everything together by exploring creative templates with various fonts and text placement around your image. Choose from full width images with text overlays or images with text aligned to either side.
Preview before you share
Finally, use the built-in Jetpack social preview tool to see exactly how your image will look on each of your connected social media platforms. Publish right away or schedule your posts to be shared when your audience is most active on social media.
With Jetpack Social, it’s never been easier to share your WordPress content to social media.
Adding visuals to your WordPress website is a great way to make your pages more engaging. But finding the perfect image is only half the battle. Sometimes, you’ll need to adjust how the graphic displays to make it more attractive or optimize it for web performance.
Fortunately, it’s easy to edit your images in WordPress. You can resize a photo completely, crop out irrelevant sections, and even optimize it for a WooCommerce product page.
In this post, we’ll show you how to edit images in WordPress. Then, we’ll discuss image optimization and how it can improve your loading times. Let’s get started!
How to easily edit images in WordPress (8 ways)
There are a few different ways to edit images in WordPress. Let’s start by talking about resizing.
1. How to resize an image in WordPress
You may want to resize your images in WordPress because smaller images load faster. If you only have one or two photos on your site, this might not make a noticeable difference. But image-heavy sites require lots of processing to load content.
Additionally, you may want to resize your images to specific dimensions for design purposes.
To resize your images in WordPress, navigate to Media → Library. Then, upload a new file or select an existing one. Next, click on Edit Image.
Under Scale Image, enter your new dimensions, specifying an exact width and height. Then, hit Scale.
To use your resized version of the photo, head back to your Media Library and select it. Then, copy the file URL.
Finally, paste the URL wherever you want to use it on your site.
Or, you can simply reinsert the image into the Image block on your page.
2. How to crop images in WordPress
Cropping an image trims your photo rather than resizing it entirely. Therefore, it allows you to cut out less important parts of the image and draw focus to a specific object within the frame.
To crop an image in WordPress, navigate to Media → Library. Then, upload your photo. Next, click on Edit Image and select Crop.
At this point, you’ll be able to physically drag the editor around to crop out parts of your image that you don’t need.
When you’re happy with your new photo, click on Crop again to execute the changes. Then, hit Save.
3. How to flip an image
You may also wish to flip an image in WordPress. While not as common as other image edits, flipping can have great artistic effects.
For instance, flipping can adjust the photograph’s focus, leading your visitor’s eye toward important elements. Plus, it can reinforce themes in an image or evoke certain emotions.
To flip an image in WordPress, head to Media → Library → Edit Image. The next action depends on how you want to flip your image. You can either choose Flip vertical or Flip horizontal.
Flipping vertically will show your image upside down, whereas the horizontal option will create a mirror-image effect. When you’re happy with your changes, click on Save.
4. How to rotate an image
You can also rotate an image in WordPress, either by turning your image counterclockwise or clockwise. This is an easy way to fix matching or alignment issues on your page.
To get started, you’ll need to go to Media → Library → Edit Image. There, click on Rotate left or Rotate right.
This action willrotate your image by 90 degrees each time. So, if you want to turn your image 180 degrees, click twice on the appropriate button.
It’s important to note that if you make a mistake while editing your images, you can simply select Undo to erase the last action. Then, hit Save when your photo editing is complete!
5. How to align an image
Aligning an image is one of the easiest ways to edit a photo in WordPress. It determines where your graphic will sit on the page relative to other content. You can only apply alignment settings once you’ve added a picture to a post or page.
First, insert the photo into your page using the Image block. Then, navigate to the toolbar above the block.
Click on the Align icon.
As you can see, you can align an image to the left or right or make it centered. Plus, you’re able to change the width variations at this stage, making your image Full width or Wide width.
6. How to restore an image to its original version
While editing a photo in WordPress, you may accidentally make a mistake or apply unwanted changes. Fortunately, it’s easy to revert any edits and restore an image to its original version.
As we discussed earlier, if it’s only a single action that you want to reverse, click on Undo within the image editor:
Alternatively, if you resized your photo and entered the wrong dimensions, select Restore image.
Sometimes, this setting is hidden by default. In this case, you’ll need to expand the Restore Original Image tab to find this feature. It will reset your photo and remove the changes you applied to it.
7. How to bulk resize images in WordPress
Currently, there’s no default way to bulk resize images in WordPress. But you can use a plugin like Imsanity to add that functionality. This is a free tool, so you can go ahead and install it directly within WordPress.
Then, go to Settings → Imsanity.
When resizing all the images on your site, it’s important to be aware that this action can drastically alter the layout of your posts and pages. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make a fresh backup of your site before you begin.
Jetpack VaultPress Backup is an excellent automated backup plugin. You can restore your site in just one click using the mobile app, even when your site is offline. Better yet, the tool can back up all files, WooCommerce data, and your database.
If you decide to resize all your WordPress images with Imsanity, select the maximum height and width for your photos. Then, save your changes.
Alternatively, click on the List View icon in the Media Libraryto selectively resize your images.
Here, you can pick specific photos and then select Resize Image.
8. How to edit and resize images for WooCommerce
If you run an ecommerce store, you may also want to edit product images in WooCommerce. After all, you’ll need high-quality photos to convince customers to purchase your items.
Fortunately, you’re able to make most changes using the WooCommerce Customizer. To get started, head to Appearance → Customize → WooCommerce → Product Images.
Here, you can adjust the main image and thumbnail widths, choosing between square, custom, or uncropped.
Additionally, for users with coding knowledge, you can control WooCommerce image sizes using hooks. For example, the wc_get_image_sizefunction modifies the image size definitions.
Additionally, WooCommerce version 3.3 and above provides access to automatic thumbnail resizing. Alternatively, you can install a plugin, like Force Regenerate Thumbnails, to handle this process for you.
How to optimize your images for better loading speeds
So far, we’ve mostly discussed editing photos for visual design reasons. Still, there’s an equally important consideration: image optimization.
But Jetpack CDN’s Photon technology does way more than a normal CDN. It automatically re-encodes images to lighter, more modern formats. It auto-resizes them based on the needs of each individual visitor — providing the best possible experience in terms of both speed and visual quality.
Jetpack Boost lets you easily implement lazy loading of images and also comes with additional options to enhance speed like deferring JavaScript and generating critical CSS.
Better yet, both tools work in the background of your site, requiring little to no ongoing maintenance. Plus, with Jetpack Boost, you can access quick reports with clear site performance scores across desktop and mobile.
Lazy loading is one of the best ways to speed up content delivery. This setting prevents images from loading until visitors scroll down to where they are on the page. Therefore, your website won’t have to load all your visual content simultaneously.
Luckily, this is one of the free features available with Jetpack Boost. To get started with the plugin, you’ll need to connect it to a WordPress.com account. If you don’t have an account, it’s completely free to create one.
Then, go to Jetpack → Boost to configure your settings.
Here, use the toggle to enable Lazy Image Loading.
To enable the CDN, head to Jetpack → Settings and open the Performance tab.
Look for the section that says Performance & speed. Then, turn on Enable site accelerator:
Step 3: Activate additional settings for faster speeds
The first setting you’ll see within your Jetpack Boost dashboard is Optimize CSS Loading. When you turn on this setting, Jetpack will generate Critical CSS for your web pages.
This means that only the CSS ‘above the fold’ (the part of the page immediately visible to users) will load until visitors scroll down the page. As such, your content loads much faster, especially for those on mobile devices.
With a paid Jetpack Boost plan, you can save time with automated Critical CSS.
This way, you can continue making site changes as needed. Jetpack automatically regenerates your website’s Critical CSS and performance scores each time you update your content.
Jetpack Boost also lets you defer the loading of non-essential JavaScript. This means your site will first load the most visible elements, like styles and images, and delay other tasks until later. This process reduces the burden on your server.
Frequently asked questions about editing images in WordPress
Now, let’s answer some of the most common questions about editing and optimizing images in WordPress!
What are the best image formats for WordPress?
The WordPress Media Library currently supports JPEG/JPG, PNG, and WebP images. JPEG and PNG are typically the most popular formats, and they use different compression processes.
JPEGs are a great option for photography portfolios and other highly-visual content, since the compression type maintains high image quality.
On the other hand, PNGs support transparent backgrounds, so they’re often preferred for graphic design purposes. Plus, they work well for screenshots and icons.
WebP is growing in popularity. As an image format designed specifically for web usage, it offers better compression than the alternatives and results in a smaller file size.
Is it better to resize an image before uploading it to WordPress?
To maintain fast loading times, it’s best to resize images before uploading them to WordPress. This way, you’ll be able to keep the file sizes as small as possible.
Of course, you can then resize images even further within WordPress. Once you add a photo to your site, you’ll be able to apply additional edits within your Media Library, like resizing or cropping.
Is image compression and optimization important?
Image compression creates a smaller file. You can also optimize your images using extra features like lazy loading.
Both image compression and optimization are important because they improve your overall loading speeds. This is essential, since Google uses speed as a ranking factor.
Additionally, a fast website is more user-friendly. It can reduce bounce rates by encouraging visitors to spend more time on your site.
Speed is also important for Core Web Vitals. This is a set of standardized metrics that reveal how a user experiences a web page. Image compression and optimization enable you to improve two key metrics: First Contentful Paint (FCP) and Largest Contentful Paint (LCP).
Edit and optimize images in WordPress
Taking beautiful photographs or creating unique illustrations is a great way to spruce up your web design. But sometimes your images will require some editing or adjustments.
Fortunately, you can resize, crop, align, flip, and rotate images easily in WordPress. Better yet, you’re able to resize photos in bulk with the help of a plugin. It’s also straightforward to resize product images and thumbnails for WooCommerce.
Image optimization is vital to maintaining fast loading times and creating a better user experience. The easiest way to optimize your images is with Jetpack Boost. With this plugin, you’ll have access to lazy loading, Critical CSS, and Jetpack’s CDN. Check out Jetpack’s plans today to get started!
These days, most organizations use at least some form of video for marketing, training, or another integral part of their ongoing operations. So, finding a place to host all of this content is a big deal. But with so many options and pricing plans to choose from, it can be hard to know which service is right for you. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on how much video hosting costs in 2023.
We’ll take a look at popular services like Jetpack VideoPress, Vimeo, Wistia, and more, comparing their features and prices side-by-side to help you find the right fit for your budget.
So if you’re looking for a place to host your videos or just want a better understanding of what’s out there, read on!
Why pay for a video hosting service?
When it comes to hosting your videos, there are a number of options available. While some websites may choose to host videos directly on their own server, this can quickly consume bandwidth and slow down the website’s loading time. This is where video hosting services and platforms come in.
There are a number of pros and cons to paying for a video hosting service, specifically in the context of WordPress:
Pros of a video hosting service:
Improved user experience: By hosting videos on a dedicated video hosting platform, they will usually load faster and more smoothly for visitors to your website, leading to a better overall user experience.
Bandwidth savings: Video files can be very large and hosting them on your own server can consume a significant amount of bandwidth, potentially leading to slow loading times and high costs. With a video hosting service, the provider will handle the bandwidth, freeing up your site’s resources.
Security: Video hosting services often provide security features such as encryption and secure storage, helping to keep the website’s content safe from theft or misuse.
Advanced features: Many video hosting services offer advanced features like customizable video players, analytics, and monetization options that may not be available through self-hosting.
Cons of a video hosting service:
Cost: Of course, the main disadvantage of paying for a video hosting service is the cost. Depending on the provider and plan selected, this can be a fairly significant monthly expense.
Dependence on a third party: By relying on a third party to host videos, you’re dependent on the video hosting service to keep its content accessible and secure. If the service experiences downtime or security breaches, your videos may become unavailable. They may also remove or limit access to your videos if they feel you’ve violated a policy. This is often an automated process with limited avenues for resolving disputes.
Limitations: Video hosting services come with varying limitations, such as file size restrictions, file format restrictions, and bandwidth limits. These things can impact your ability to host certain types of content or reach a desired audience.
While there are certainly pros and cons to paying for a video hosting service, it’s often a worthwhile expense for websites looking to provide a fast, secure, and user-friendly video experience.
What determines the price of video hosting?
The cost of a video hosting service can be influenced by a number of factors, including:
1. Storage limits
The amount of storage space required by your videos will impact the cost of the video hosting service. Typically, the more storage space you need, the higher the cost.
2. Hosting infrastructure
The type of hosting infrastructure used affects the service price, too. For example, a provider that uses more advanced, high-performance servers may charge a higher fee than one that uses less sophisticated infrastructure.
3. Streaming quality and speed
The quality and speed of the video streaming experience will also impact the total amount you’ll shell out each month. Plans that offer high-quality, fast streaming may be more expensive than those that offer a lower quality or slower streaming experience.
4. Bandwidth
Some video hosting providers may charge based on the bandwidth used. So, as your content becomes more popular, you may need to upgrade to a higher plan.
5. Technical support
The level of technical support offered by the video hosting service can also have an impact on what you’ll pay. Providers that offer more extensive technical support, such as 24/7 assistance and live chat, may charge a higher fee than ones that offer more limited support options.
6. Video monetization
Some video hosting services offer monetization options, such as the ability to show ads or to charge for access to certain videos. The addition of this feature can contribute to a higher fee.
7. Ad-free streaming
Some streaming platforms may have options to disable ads before, after, or during your videos. This provides an uninterrupted experience for viewers and helps keep them focused on your message. Allowing for this ad-free experience, however, may come at your expense.
8. Customization
Providers that offer more extensive customization options, such as the ability to fully brand the video player, may charge a higher fee than ones that offer more basic options.
9. Integrations
The ability to integrate the video hosting service with other platforms, such as social media or ecommerce tools can impact the cost, too. Providers that offer a wide range of integrations may charge a higher fee than ones that offer more limited integration options.
10. Scalability
If your aim is to grow your video offerings, scalability is vital. Providers that make it easy to increase storage, bandwidth, and other resources as needed may charge a higher fee, too.
There are many factors that can impact the cost of a video hosting service. When considering a provider, it’s important to carefully evaluate the needs and goals of your website.
Jetpack VideoPress is specifically designed for WordPress and WooCommerce users, offering a sleek and unobtrusive video player that’s perfectly tailored to showcase your content.
Additionally, there’s no limit to the number of users, making it an ideal solution for those with multiple contributors on their site. With its clean and lightweight interface, Jetpack VideoPress is designed to stay out of the way and allow your video content to take center stage.
You likely recognize the Jetpack name as one of the premier toolkits for WordPress sites. It’s built by the same people behind WordPress.com and WooCommerce.
You can get access to Jetpack VideoPress as part of the Jetpack plugin, and take advantage of its other security, performance, and marketing features. Or get the dedicated Jetpack VideoPress plugin and enjoy up to 1TB of video storage with a basic plan.
Key features of Jetpack VideoPress:
High-quality video playback with up to 4K resolution.
The ability for viewers to select the video format they want, from 480p to 4K, with their selection saved for future videos.
Playback speed controls
Support for smooth playback of rapid-motion videos, up to 60 frames per second (FPS)
Full mobile optimization
Picture-in-picture support
The ability to drag and drop videos directly into WordPress and manage them directly from the Media Library
An ad-free experience
A global CDN for high performance
The ability to create full-width video backgrounds for your WordPress site
Pros of Jetpack VideoPress:
Integration with WordPress and WooCommerce makes it easy to manage your video content.
A clean and lightweight interface helps keep the focus on your videos.
It has a fully customizable player and ad-free experience.
Cons of Jetpack VideoPress:
The free version only allows for a single video
Ease of use:
Jetpack VideoPress is super easy to use and navigate. The interface is straightforward and intuitive, making it easy to upload and manage your videos. You can quickly create customized video galleries in minutes.
Best use cases:
Jetpack VideoPress is best for WordPress and WooCommerce users who need a reliable video hosting solution that can be easily integrated with their existing website. If user experience or keeping the attention of marketing leads is important to you, the fast, reliable hosting infrastructure and the ad-free, branded player is a great option.
Pricing:
Jetpack VideoPress is available through the Jetpack Complete plan ($50 / month with additional world-class WordPress security, performance, and marketing tools) or through an individual plugin for just $10 per month (billed annually).
It includes 1TB of storage and an ad-free and fully customizable player for unlimited users. It also includes top-notch support from Happiness Engineers, who know both VideoPress and WordPress in and out.
Vimeo is a popular video hosting and sharing platform that was founded in 2004 by filmmakers Jake Lodwick and Zach Klein. The platform was created as an alternative to more commercial video-sharing sites like YouTube, with a focus on providing a space for artists, filmmakers, and content creators to showcase their work and connect with their audiences.
Vimeo has since developed even more features and tools, including support for high-definition video, customization options for the video player, and a robust video editing suite. Today, Vimeo is one of the largest and most popular video-sharing platforms on the internet, with millions of users and a vast library of creative content.
Key features of Vimeo:
Customizable embedding
Live streaming capabilities
360-degree video support
Simulated live event support
API integration
Privacy controls
Streaming up to 4k Ultra HD
Pros of Vimeo:
It offers high-quality video streaming across a variety of use cases.
It includes advanced customization options for the video player, so it will seamlessly flow with the rest of your site.
It includes a robust video editing suite with a variety of tools.
It’s ad-free, which means that site visitors won’t be distracted by ads from your competitors while watching your content.
Cons of Vimeo:
The platform can be expensive for those who need a lot of storage space or advanced features.
The interface is less intuitive than some of the other platforms.
Pricing is based on the number of users, which makes it a much more expensive option for sites with multiple administrators.
Ease of use:
Vimeo is relatively easy to use, but the interface can be a bit overwhelming for those who are just getting started. However, it does offer a variety of helpful tutorials and documentation to help users get up and running.
Best use cases:
Vimeo is best for businesses, organizations, marketers, and content creators who need a reliable and high-quality video hosting solution. The platform is ideal for those who need a wide range of customization options and advanced features to give their videos a professional touch. The integrated live streaming capabilities make it a great option for events and conferences, too, though this feature is only included with higher-tier plans.
Pricing:
Vimeo offers four pricing plans:
The Starter plan, which costs $9 per user per month and supports 60 videos.
The Standard plan, which costs $25 per user per month and supports 120 videos.
The Advanced plan, which costs $65 per user per month and supports 240 videos.
An enterprise plan, which is customized based on your specific needs.
Wistia is a video hosting and marketing platform that was founded in 2006. The company was created by Chris Savage, Brendan Schwartz, and Jeff Vincent with the goal of making video hosting and marketing simple and accessible for businesses of all sizes.
Wistia was one of the first companies to focus specifically on the needs of digital marketers, offering a range of features and tools designed to help organizations effectively use video as part of their lead generation efforts. It’s used by thousands of businesses worldwide.
Key features of Wistia:
A customizable video player design
Customizable calls-to-action and in-video lead generation tools
Video editing capabilities
Collaborative feedback opportunities for teams
Advanced A/B testing
Livestreaming
In-depth analytics and tracking
Pros of Wistia:
It’s focused on the needs of businesses and marketers for advanced lead generation.
It has advanced integrations and tools for creating and optimizing videos.
It includes in-depth analytics and tracking capabilities.
Cons of Wistia:
The platform can be expensive for those who need more than three users or a lot of storage space.
There’s no official WordPress plugin to integrate Wistia with your site.
Ease of use:
Wistia is designed with digital marketers in mind; anyone in the industry will likely find it easy to use. Advanced integration of forms with your existing tech stack might take a bit of learning.
Best use cases:
Wistia is best for businesses that require an integrated video hosting and marketing platform. The platform’s advanced features, such lead capture tools, A/B testing, and in-depth analytics, make it ideal for those who want to optimize their videos for maximum marketing effectiveness. Medium to larger businesses with robust marketing teams will find Wistia most helpful.
Pricing:
A free forever plan that includes support for ten videos, analytics, and captions.
The Plus plan, which costs $19 per month and includes everything in Free as well as support for 20 videos and three users and lead capture forms.
The Pro plan, which costs $79 per month and includes everything in the previous plans, as well as support for 50 videos, five users, A/B testing, and video heat maps.
The Advanced plan, which costs $319 per month and includes all that comes in the other plans, plus support for 250 videos, up to 20 users, livestreaming, and various marketing integrations.
JW Player is a video platform that has been serving the industry for over a decade. It was founded in 2005 by Dave Otten, Jeroen Wijering, and Brian Rifkin. JW Player started as a simple Flash-based player for delivering video content over the web.
JW Player now powers billions of video views each month on some of the world’s most popular websites. It offers a complete suite of tools and services for creating, managing, monetizing, and distributing video content across any device or website.
Key features of JW Player:
Video hosting and streaming
Embeddable video players
Analytics and insights
Advertising and monetization options for professional broadcasters and media creators
API access and integrations for advanced users and developers
Live broadcasting capabilities
Pros of JW Player:
It’s one of the most well-established video platforms.
It has highly-customizable players and tools.
It includes enterprise-level playback, livestreaming, and custom integration options.
It offers advanced monetization tools.
It has great customer support.
Cons of JW Player:
The free version is limited in terms of features, storage, and bandwidth.
Pricing plans are hidden behind a contact form, making it more difficult to do product comparisons.
Ease of use:
JW Player is fairly easy to use, even for those who are not familiar with the basics of online video hosting. The platform’s user interface is fairly intuitive and straightforward, making it easy to quickly get up and running.
Best use cases:
JW Player is best for those who need a powerful, feature-rich platform for hosting, managing, and distributing video content. It’s designed especially for enterprise-level video producers for whom video is a major revenue driver. The platform’s advanced monetization tools make it a great choice for those looking to monetize their videos.
Pricing:
JW Player offers a free trial for up to 30 days to test everything out. The trial includes 25 GB of hosting space, plus 75 GB of streaming bandwidth.
All premium plans are hidden behind a contact form, but do seem to include a wide range of features including those for the video player, streaming functions, as well as engagement and monetization options.
As it’s more geared towards advanced and enterprise-level users, it’s not likely a great choice for those with a limited budget.
Dacast is a leading online video platform that provides video hosting, livestreaming, and video monetization services to businesses, organizations, and individuals worldwide. The company was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
From the beginning, Dacast focused on providing innovative video solutions that help organizations reach their audiences with engaging video content. With its intuitive interface and cutting-edge technology, Dacast has quickly become a popular choice for businesses and organizations.
Key features of Dacast:
Multiple language options for the video player
The ability to utilize advanced video encoding techniques
Seamless livestreaming with DVR capabilities
Closed captions, which make your videos more accessible
Video monetization options
Detailed video analytics
Pros of Dacast:
It has an intuitive interface that’s easy to use and get started.
It offers unique, advanced features like video monetization and DVR capabilities.
It has competitive pricing with a range of features and options.
Cons of Dacast:
There is no free tier available.
The video player is not as customizable as some other providers.
There is no WordPress plugin available, which can make adding videos to your site more difficult.
Ease of use:
Dacast is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive for both beginners and more experienced users. The platform is easy to navigate, with clear menus and options that make it simple to find the tools you need.
Best use cases:
Dacast is best for businesses and organizations who want a comprehensive video platform with advanced features. The platform’s monetization and livestreaming tools make it a great choice for those who want to maximize their video content’s potential, while the customizable video player ensures that viewers have a seamless experience.
Pricing:
Dacast does offer a 14-day free trial, so you can try out the features and decide if it’s right for you. After that, there are three plans to choose from:
The Starter plan, which is priced at $39 per month (charged annually), and includes 1.2TB of data per year, as well as 50GB of storage. This includes features like livestreaming, unlimited viewers, and HD broadcasting.
The Event plan, which is priced at $63 per month (charged annually), and comes with 6TB upfront and 50GB of storage, along with real-time analytics, a live countdown, and a paywall.
The Scale plan, which is $188 per month (charged annually) and includes 24 TB per year and 1000 GB of storage, plus unlimited channels, VOD chapter markers, and much more.
There are also custom plan options available for those whose needs exceed the standard plans.
Vidyard is a video marketing and hosting platform that was founded in 2010 by Michael Litt and Devon Galloway. The company was created with the goal of making video marketing and hosting easier and more effective for businesses of all sizes. Vidyard was one of the first companies to offer a comprehensive video hosting and marketing platform, and it quickly became known for its advanced features and tools.
Key features of Vidyard:
Fully customizable calls-to-action that you can place inside videos
Thumbnail A/B testing
Email marketing integrations
Automatic transcripts
Full CRM support
Screen recording tools
Pros of Vidyard:
It integrates with CRMs and sales tools like Salesforce and LinkedIn.
You can use its tools for email marketing. This means that you can easily share videos directly within emails.
It includes in-depth analytics and tracking capabilities.
Cons of Vidyard:
The price point is out of reach for many small businesses.
While it has a lot of features, these can quickly become overwhelming for sites that just need basic video hosting capabilities.
Ease of use:
Vidyard is easy to use and navigate, with an intuitive user interface. The platform offers a range of features and tools that are designed to make video marketing easier, including email marketing, which is super helpful for those who want to promote their videos.
Best use cases:
Vidyard is best suited for businesses and organizations looking to enhance their video marketing and sales strategies, improve corporate communications, and develop e-learning and training programs through a comprehensive and secure platform. The platform’s advanced features and tools make it an excellent choice for those who need to track engagement and conversions from their videos.
Pricing:
The Free Forever plan allows you to add up to 25 videos, edit videos, and share your videos via email and social media.
The Pro plan starts at $19 per month (billed annually) and includes hosting for unlimited videos, as well as video analytics and calls-to-action.
The Business plan includes all Pro features, plus full analytics, CRM and MAP integrations, and fully customizable video calls-to-action. Pricing is based on each specific business.
Video hosting comparison table
Jetpack VideoPress
Vimeo
Wistia
JW Player
Dacast
Vidyard
Storage Limits
1TB
120 – 240 videos
10 – 250 videos
Unavailable
50 – 1000 GB
Unlimited
Streaming Quality and Speed
N/A
Yes
N/A
Unavailable
HD
N/A
Bandwidth
Unlimited
N/A
N/A
Unavailable
1.2 TB – 24 TB/year
N/A
Ease of Use
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
More advanced features
Yes
Technical support
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Customization
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Integrations
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Scalability
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Pricing
$10 per month
$9/user per month – $65/user per month
Free – $399 per month
Contact for info/Trial available
$39 – $188 per month
Free – $29 per month
How to choose the best video hosting service for your needs
When it comes to choosing the best video hosting service, there are a few key factors you need to consider.
First and foremost, think about whether the tool you choose can grow with you. You don’t want to have to switch providers or significantly increase spending as your videos gain more views or your business grows to include more team members.
Next, think about the features offered by each provider. Make sure they have everything you need, such as analytics, seamless WordPress integration, an ad-free experience, and customization options.
Finally, look at their pricing plans, and make sure that it fits with your goals and provides a high value. Ultimately, the choice should be based on your specific needs.
Which platform offers the best bang for your buck?
When it comes to choosing the right video hosting platform for your business, there are a lot of factors to consider, including cost. To get the best value for your money, it’s important to understand what you need from your video hosting platform and what kind of budget you’re working with.
For businesses that are already on WordPress, or those looking for a highly customizable and scalable environment, Jetpack VideoPress is a great option. With its built-in integration with WordPress and its enterprise-grade features, it offers a cost-effective solution that can grow with your business.
Of course, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements. For businesses looking for other features, such as advanced analytics or livestreaming capabilities, other platforms may be a better fit. In that case, our comparison table will help you weigh the pros and cons of each platform and determine which one offers the best bang for your buck.
Frequently asked questions about video hosting and its costs
Want to learn more about how video hosting is priced and how that might affect your decision? Here are some answers to commonly asked questions:
What’s the difference between self-hosting and using a video hosting service?
Self-hosting requires you to have your own server (or a web hosting plan with access to a shared or dedicated server) and manage the hosting, streaming, and backups of your video content yourself. This includes hosting and storing your videos on your WordPress site.
With a video hosting service, all of that is taken care of for you as part of the package. This helps reduce your web costs and can drastically improve the loading time of your videos. To have a deeper understanding of the different hosting options, read our guide on how to host videos on your website.
What does video hosting cost?
The cost of video hosting can vary depending on the provider and plan you choose. Generally speaking, the cost will be based on factors such as the size of your content library, storage space requirements, and features included in the package. Some services may offer discounts for long-term commitments.
Are there any free video hosting services?
Yes, some providers offer free plans with limited features and storage space. Keep in mind that these are usually best suited for smaller teams and personal projects. If you’re looking for a more robust solution, you’ll likely need to upgrade to a paid plan.
How can I reduce my video hosting costs?
One way to reduce the cost of video hosting is to use a service that offers discounts for long-term commitments. You can also look for providers that offer free plans with limited features and storage space, or that offer tiered plans, so you can pay for only the features you need. Finally, be sure to shop around and compare pricing between different providers. You may find a better deal when you do your research!
Are there any hidden fees associated with video hosting?
It’s important to read the fine print before signing up for a plan. Some services may charge extra for features like streaming or advanced analytics, while others may charge based on storage space or user accounts. Be sure to check out all the details, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Embrace the future of video
For businesses looking for a comprehensive and reliable video hosting platform, Jetpack VideoPress is an excellent choice. With enterprise-grade features, seamless WordPress integration, and affordable pricing options, it’s a well-rounded option that can suit any budget. Plus, there’s a sizable discount available for the first year.
Use our comparison table above to more succinctly weigh the features of each platform. You can easily compare the pros and cons of each to help determine which one is the best fit for your business.
It takes mere seconds for visitors to decide whether they want to stay on your website or go elsewhere. So it’s important that you grab their attention immediately and convince them to explore the rest of your site.
A great way to captivate and impress your audience is with a video background. In this post, we’ll take a look at the benefits of adding a video background to your site. Then, we’ll discuss some best practices and show you four easy ways to do this in WordPress.
What is a video background?
Video backgrounds are a way for you to provide a more engaging experience for your visitors. Instead of adding a solid color or image behind pieces of your content, you can use a video instead. These videos often loop (repeat) and are silent so as to enhance rather than take away from the rest of the page.
You can add a video background behind blocks of text, images, buttons, forms — whatever you’d like! — or even use it as the background of an entire landing page.
Strandberg Guitars, for example, displays a beautiful video background of their products in action right when visitors land on their site. Their header, intro text, and call to action button are layered on top of the video in a way that all content is still visible.
What are the benefits of a video background?
There are many benefits to using a video background. To begin, it can make your pages look more professional and attractive. When someone arrives on your site and sees a moving video, it grabs their attention in a way that stagnant content cannot.
Video backgrounds can also be an excellent way to showcase products and services in action. Feature the beautiful rooms in your bed and breakfast, show kids happily playing with the toys you sell, or share clips of the experiences you offer.
Best practices for adding a WordPress video background
If you’ve decided that your site can benefit from a video background, there are a few important things to consider. First, you’ll want to use videos sparingly but effectively. Having too many large videos on your WordPress site can slow it down and dilute the impact.
You’ll also most likely want to disable the audio.Sound can be off-putting for visitors when they simply want to view your website. The last thing you want is for your music to disrupt a visitor’s meeting or appointment.
If you’re placing content like text and buttons on top of your video background, it’s important that there’s enough of a contrast so that people can easily read them. This is particularly important for visitors with visual impairments. This color contrast checker is a great way to get a quick read on your site. Just type in your URL, and it will identify any improvements you need to make.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to use a fallback image. This sets the picture you want to display in the background if, for some reason, your video doesn’t load.
How to add a video background in WordPress
Now that you know a little bit more about video backgrounds, let’s explore some ways you can add them to your WordPress site.
1. Use the built-in Cover block
This is the simplest and most effective solution, requiring no external plugins or tools. With the Cover block, you can layer content like text, buttons, and forms on top of a photo or video background. This makes it a great option for hero sections or banners.
To get started, create your new page/post or open an existing one. Then, click the blue + icon in the top left corner. This will open up all the block options. Search for “Cover block,†then add it wherever you’d like on the page.
In the toolbar that appears, select Add Media. There you can either select a video from your media library or upload your own.
You can customize your video settings in the right-hand panel. Choose a focal point, select the opacity of the overlay, and more.
Then, add any blocks that you’d like on top of your video background by clicking the + icon within the cover block. For example, you might add a heading, line of text, and button. Remember, it’s important for that content to stand out from the background, so adjust the color and the background opacity as needed.
Once you’re happy with your cover block, save or publish your changes, and that’s it! Just a few simple steps to achieve an effective, beautiful video background.
2. Use a video plugin
If you’re looking for a very specific feature — like a full-site video background or scroll effects — video plugins could be a good alternative.
This tool enables you to create a range of background types, including images, self-hosted videos, and videos from third parties like YouTube. The best part is that it still works from within the WordPress block editor.
Once you’ve installed the plugin on your site, head to the page or post where you want to add a video background. Then, click the + icon to add a new block and search for “Background (AWB).†Add it wherever you’d like on the page.
In the right-hand settings panel, select the Video tab, then choose between YouTube/Vimeo and Self Hosted. Depending on which you select, you can either upload your video or enter an external URL.
Then, click the + icon within the Background (AWB) block to add the content you want to display on top. In this case, we’ve chosen to add a contact form.
From there, you can customize the settings using the right-hand toolbar. Choose a video start and end time, select the devices on which you’d like it to appear, add parallax effects, and more. When you’re all finished, save your page.
3. Use a page builder
If you’re already using a page builder like Elementor, you can use that to add a video background to your site. Create your new page with the builder and drag an Inner Section element onto the screen.
By adding your video to a section, you can overlay additional elements like text and buttons on top of your footage. Click on the dots at the top of the section to open the Section Editor. Then, navigate to the Style tab.
Next to Background Type, click Video and paste your video link into the box.
Here, you can determine start and end times, and adjust other display settings. You can also set a fallback image in case your video doesn’t play. You can then add any elements that you’d like on top of the video as you typically would.
Under Layout,you can change the height and width of your content. Then, you may want to add a background overlay and adjust the opacity to make other content in the section more visible. You can access these settings by scrolling to the bottom of the Style section.
4. Add a video background with your theme
Some themes automatically enable you to upload images, videos, or GIFs as background elements. These can fill your entire screen, or you can use them as headers or sliders.
To find a theme that allows for video backgrounds, head to your WordPress dashboard and click Appearance→ Themes → Add New. Next, search for “video background†and select a theme that offers this functionality. Or, you can always upload your own premium theme.
Colibri WP is one excellent, free option. Once you’ve installed and activated the theme, go to Appearance → Customize. Then, select the Settingsicon beside the Hero element.
Switch to the Styletab and change the Background type to Video.
You can either paste an external URL or upload a video file to the media library.
Then, you’re all set to customize your video background. You can apply color overlays and tweak the opacity of your video. Once you’re happy with your design, publish your changes.
Frequently asked questions
Let’s look at some frequently asked questions about using video backgrounds in WordPress.
Will a video background slow down my site?
Large video files can negatively affect your site’s performance. But the good news is that you can use a tool like Jetpack VideoPress to minimize the impact that they have on your site. It hosts your videos off-site and serves them through a powerful CDN, while helping you avoid third-party ads.
If you’re looking for ways to almost instantly improve your WordPress speed, Jetpack Boost is a great option.
In just a few clicks, you can optimize CSS loading, defer non-essential JavaScript, and turn on image lazy loading without using any custom code. This tool focuses specifically on Google’s Core Web Vitals, which are measurements of your site’s performance in real-world scenarios. Improving these metrics can positively impact your user experience and search engine rankings.
What’s the easiest way to add a WordPress video background?
The built-in Cover block is the simplest way to add a WordPress video background because it requires no additional plugins, tools, or custom code.
Instead, you can create your video background directly in the WordPress editor. This makes it an excellent option for all users, even complete beginners. However, you can still customize your background, with options for overlays, focal points, and more. This is just one great example of how the WordPress block editor makes creating a beautiful, effective site accessible to everyone.
Where should I host my videos?
You can host your video on the same server as your website. This way, you can skip the limitations of third-party platforms and provide an ad-free experience for your visitors.
But, self-hosted videos can require a lot of server bandwidth and you might be unable to upload large files. What’s more, they could slow down your user experience and result in a lot of buffering and other distractions.
VideoPress is the best of both worlds. It takes all of the weight off of your server, but also gives you control over how you display your files. Plus, there are no ads to pull visitors away from your content.
With VideoPress, you can manage your videos in the same space that you manage your site.
Boost engagement with video backgrounds
With so much competition on the internet, it can be difficult to make your site stand out. Fortunately, you can add a WordPress video background to grab your visitors’ attention and create an engaging experience. The key to success is choosing the best method for hosting and displaying this valuable content.
VideoPress is one of the best video hosting solutions for WordPress. It’s easy to use and can be accessed directly from your WordPress dashboard. Plus, it can help you provide an excellent user experience with fast-loading, ad-free videos.
When you think about hosting videos for your business, popular video sharing sites, such as YouTube or Dailymotion, may be the first things that come to mind. But these are usually not the best choice for those who want to include videos on their WordPress site. They come with restrictions, advertising, and limited control over how your videos are presented and who can see them. Instead of winning more business, or wowing people with your latest creation, your videos could actually push them away.
Today we’re going to look at private video hosting platforms designed for the needs of businesses and professional creators. We’ll explore their features as well as the pros, cons, and costs of the best options available.
Lights, camera, action!
Why host your videos on a private platform?
Private video hosting has many benefits for your business, including:
1. You retain complete control over the use of your content
Free video hosting sites provide little control over who can find, view, and share your content. When you upload a file to a public video hosting service, you grant a license to that service, which means you no longer have complete control over your content. For example, according to their terms of service, you automatically grant YouTube a worldwide, royalty-free, transferable license to use and change your videos.
Private video hosting services help you avoid these issues by allowing you to host your videos without giving away your rights. They also generally give you control over the visibility of your content and who can share it — perfect for hosting exclusive videos for your audience, subscribers, customers, or clients.
2. Your videos don’t slow down your site
Hosting videos yourself is another option that bypasses free video sharing sites like YouTube, but doing so comes with a significant burden on your infrastructure. Videos are large files that take up a lot of precious server resources. If you host these yourself, the result is usually a slow-loading site or even a total crash. And poor-performing sites mean fewer visitors will stick around and you won’t be able to achieve your goals.
Third-party video hosting platforms — like the private ones we discuss in this article — remove the pressure on your infrastructure by storing and serving your videos to your viewers using their own enterprise-level systems. They also utilize tools like a content delivery network that can display videos quickly to lots of people around the world all at the same time.
If you want a fast site that reflects well on your business or creations, it’s usually more cost-effective to use a third party to host and serve your videos.
3. You can avoid third-party ads and distractions
In return for hosting your videos for free, public video platforms like YouTube and Dailymotion place advertisements before, during, and after your content. Not only can this be off-putting for your visitors, there’s typically nothing to stop them from seeing ads for your competitors. Free video hosting platforms often feature “recommended” videos that autoplay after yours have been watched, meaning your viewers can quickly get distracted and pulled away from your content.
Private video hosting platforms are generally ad-free and won’t recommend other businesses’ videos to your viewers — helping keep viewers’ attention on your amazing content. You can sometimes even choose which ones to recommend at the end of your videos or include other lead-capturing calls to action!
The top six platforms that offer private video hosting
Jetpack VideoPress is a powerful private video hosting platform that lets your content shine.
VideoPress comes with an impressive 1 TB of storage, allowing you to upload your videos in full 1080p or 4K HD. Automattic, the team behind WordPress.com, built VideoPress, meaning it integrates perfectly with your existing WordPress site.
Your videos will load quickly for all of your viewers, no matter their location or internet speed, thanks to the combination of adaptive bitrate technology and Automattic’s state-of-the-art global CDN. Your visitors will love viewing videos on your site, thanks to the fully responsive video player, which gives them full control over their experience. They can select the resolution in which they’d like to watch your content, turn on subtitles, change the playback speed, and use the picture-in-picture feature to “pop out” the video for easier viewing.
VideoPress features an immersive design that puts your content front and center, and it will never distract your visitors with any ads or logos. You can fully customize the appearance to meet your brand or let it cleverly adapt to match the colors of each video.
This is an ideal enterprise video hosting service for teams. You can create as many user accounts as you need, so that everyone can seamlessly collaborate and utilize the power of VideoPress. You and your team can also keep an eye on the performance of your content thanks to the integration with Jetpack Stats, enabling you to see how each video performs.
Key features of VideoPress:
Video hosting using a powerful global CDN
Fully responsive design
Seamless integration with WordPress
Full 4K HD support
Picture-in-picture support
The ability to add videos to the background of your pages
Subtitle support
Private video support
Variable playback speeds
Unlimited logins for your team
1 TB of storage
A maximum video upload size of 5 GB
No ads or co-branding
A responsive player that’s customizable
Pros of VideoPress:
VideoPress provides a generous 1 TB storage allowance that you can fill with as many individual videos as you need.Â
The video player is fully responsive and features adaptive bitrate technology, so your visitors have a great experience no matter what device they use.
You can display your content in high definition with support for 4K, 1080p, and fast-motion videos at 60 FPS.
VideoPress also allows you to showcase your content on your WordPress site as full-width video backgrounds.
It provides a totally ad-free experience, with no VideoPress branding visible to your visitors.
You can create a membership site by restricting videos to logged-in users.
The video player automatically adapts to the color of each video, or you can easily customize the player to match your brand.
VideoPress is built and maintained by the team behind WordPress.com, meaning it integrates perfectly with WordPress.
You can try it out with one video for free, then upgrade to add more videos to your site.
Cons of VideoPress:
VideoPress doesn’t offer any built-in lead generation tools.Â
Ease of use:
VideoPress was designed to be simple to use and works perfectly with WordPress sites. You can drag and drop your videos, then add them to your content using the WordPress Block Editor, making the learning curve pretty much nonexistent.
VideoPress also provides easy-to-read documentation, and they have a team of Happiness Engineers to help you if you run into any issues.
Cost:
VideoPress is available for $5.95 a month for the first year.
You can get VideoPress as part of the Jetpack Complete plan, which also includes a vast range of WordPress security, speed, and growth tools, for $29.96 per month for the first year.
Wistia is a video hosting platform designed for digital marketers. After uploading your videos, you can add layers of features to support your marketing efforts, like asking users to enter their email address to unlock your video or including interactive call-to-action buttons on the videos themselves. It also integrates with other marketing tools like popular email service providers and CRMs.
Key features of Wistia:
The ability to add calls to action and lead capture features to videos
Tools to create interactive videos with on-screen messages, buttons, and text
A customizable video player
Options to create channels and “up-next†recommendations for your videos
Video analytics
Integration with other popular marketing systems
Pros of Wistia:
Wistia provides a range of marketing tools, including lead generation, integration with CRM systems, and the ability to use your videos to create custom audiences for remarketing.
Wistia includes detailed analytics that let you see your video’s performance alongside every action a viewer takes, such as pausing the video or clicking a link.
Cons of Wistia:
Wistia does not directly integrate into WordPress, meaning you must upload videos on Wistia’s website and use the embed codes to add videos to your posts and pages.
It’s targeted at marketing and lead capture videos, so may not be suitable for all creators.
Even on paid plans, Wistia limits the number of videos you can host.
Ease of use:
Wistia has a range of marketing features that can take some time to learn and use effectively. Using embed codes to add your videos to WordPress requires extra work and could confuse some people.
Cost:
There’s a free version of Wistia with limited features and a ten-video limit.
Paid plans start at $19 a month for the Plus plan, which allows up to 20 videos.
Spotlightr is a versatile platform that provides private video hosting for businesses. Alongside hosting on their global CDN, Spotlightr allows you to add various features to your videos, including chapters, overlays, and call-to-action buttons. And you can fully customize the video player to match your brand. Spotlightr also supports audience segmentation and funnels, which allow you to show different videos based on a user’s characteristics.
Key features of Spotlightr:
A fully customizable video player
Support for pay-per-view videos
Options to add CTAs and video overlays
Evergreen “live” mode to simulate live video
Detailed analytics, including video heat maps, audience segmentation, and engagement graphs
Social sharing
The ability to add your own pre- or post-roll ads
Video funnels
A drag-and-drop uploader
Pros of Spotlightr:
Spotlightr provides detailed video analytics, including heat maps showing which parts of your videos were most viewed.
It allows you to manage and embed videos uploaded to YouTube and other public hosting sites, so you can see analytics from all your videos in one place.
Spotlightr has a WordPress plugin that allows you to access some features, including uploading videos to your WordPress website, which you can then add to posts via shortcodes or the Spotlightr block.
Cons of Spotlightr:
You can only add 25 videos on the basic paid plan, and video storage space and bandwidth are limited on all paid plans. This means that you’ll end up paying for additional storage space if you exceed those limits.
Ease of use:
The drag-and-drop feature offered by Spotlightr makes adding videos easy, and an extensive suite of training videos is provided.
Cost:
The Spark plan costs $7 a month and is limited to 25 videos and 50 GB of bandwidth a month with restricted features.
The Aurora plan includes most features, costs $19 a month, and provides unlimited videos and 200 GB of storage and bandwidth.
The Polaris plan offers 600 GB of storage and bandwidth, along with all features, for $49 a month.
SproutVideo is a private video hosting platform for businesses that supports uploaded content and live streams. You can create an engaging video experience for your visitors through custom playlists, call-to-action buttons, and a fully customizable player.
Key features of SproutVideo:
Automatic bandwidth detection and quality adjustment
Support for up to 8K resolution
Team collaboration features
A fully customizable player
Custom video playlists
Autoplay and loop abilities
Video analytics
Post-roll screens
In-player call-to-action buttons and lead captures
Pros of SproutVideo:
SproutVideo supports videos with up to 8K resolution and works to prevent buffering by automatically adjusting the quality served to your visitors based on their bandwidth.
The video player is fully customizable, and you can set individual styles for different videos.
Cons of SproutVideo:
SproutVideo does not have a WordPress plugin, so you must use an embed code to add your videos to posts or pages.
Storage and bandwidth are limited to 500 GB per month.
Ease of use:
The number of features included in SproutVideo means the service has a sharp learning curve, and some users will likely find using embed codes confusing. Support is offered through the knowledge base and live chat.
Cost:
The Seed plan costs $24.99 a month and includes video hosting and analytics.
Additional features are available on SproutVideo’s advanced plans, which range from $59.99–$499.99 a month.
Vidyard is a video hosting platform for businesses that features a drag-and-drop uploader and a fully customizable video player. You can also record and edit videos and screencasts within Vidyard. While you can embed a limited number of videos on an external website, Vidyard is centered around your own video landing page, which makes it most useful for creating and sending personalized marketing videos.
Key features of Vidyard:
A drag-and-drop video uploader
A screen recording tool
Call-to-action features
Video analytics
Basic video editing tools
Video player customization
Video playlists
Pros of Vidyard:
You can record and edit videos and screencasts from within Vidyard.
Cons of Vidyard:
On Vidyard’s paid “Plus” plan, only 20 videos can be embedded at any time. You also cannot embed video playlists.
You cannot restrict access to videos.
You can only set one call to action, which applies to all videos, and call to action buttons can only be added at the end of videos.
While a plugin is available that allows you to embed Vidyard videos, you have to upload and manage videos on Vidyard’s website.
Ease of use:
The drag-and-drop interface and built-in recording features make Vidyard easy to use, and an extensive knowledge base is provided.
Cost:
Vidyard has a free plan that allows you to upload 25 videos, five of which can be embedded.
Premium plans start at $19 a month for the plus plan, which will enable you to embed up to 20 videos.
Vimeo is a video hosting platform that began as a video sharing platform, like YouTube, but is now focused solely on the needs of businesses and creators. It has impressive features, including video creation, asset management, and live streaming. Vimeo also allows you to fully customize the video player to match your brand, and has powerful collaboration and analytics tools.
Like most private video hosting platforms, Vimeo will never run ads on your videos or distract your visitors with other people’s “recommended” content, and it contains a range of features to allow your viewers to customize their experience.
Key features of Vimeo:
A fully customizable video player
A WordPress plugin
Video analytics
Video creation tools
Video playlists
Monetization options
Video review tools
Support for resolutions up to 8k
Live streaming support
Call-to-action buttons for videos
Screen and webcam recording
The option to password protect videos
Integration with popular editing tools
The ability to reuse your videos across social media and email
Pros of Vimeo:
Vimeo has a dedicated WordPress plugin, which enables you to upload videos within your site and add them to your posts and pages through integration with the WordPress block editor.
It has a range of powerful features geared towards video creators, including collaboration tools and integration with Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and other popular video editing software. Vimeo also provides a video review tool that lets your team put time-stamped feedback on videos.
Vimeo allows you to create videos with its online editor, which contains useful templates and stock videos for you to use. You can even create videos for your WooCommerce products from within your WordPress site.
Cons of Vimeo:
Vimeo has a higher cost than many other private video hosting tools on this list and restricts the number of videos you can upload per month.
Ease of use:
The Vimeo WordPress plugin makes uploading videos and adding them to your content easy. Some advanced features have a slight learning curve, but Vimeo has its own video school to help you use the platform to create great videos alongside a detailed knowledge base.
Cost:
There’s a free plan, but it’s highly limited. You can upload or create up to two videos per month and take advantage of an ad-free environment, but most other features are exclusive to paid plans.
The Starter plan includes five videos per month and features like screen recordings, password protection, video embedding, and video stats for $12 per month.
The Standard plan includes ten videos per month and additional features like call-to-action buttons and branding of the video player for $35 per month.
The Advanced plan includes a 20 video per month upload limit and adds the ability to host webinars with interactive features like polls and chats for $55 per month.
A comparison of the best private video hosting platforms
Video Analytics?
How many videos can you host?
Storage space provided
Use videos anywhere on the web?
Unlimited bandwidth?
Maximum video resolution
Video quality adapts to users’ bandwidth?
Automatically embed video in WordPress from URL (oEmbed)
Upload and manage videos within WordPress
Add videos to posts and pages using blocks or shortcodes
Cost
Jetpack VideoPress
Yes
Unlimited
1 TB
Yes
Yes
4K
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
$5.95 /month
Wistia
Yes
10–250 depending on plan.
Unlimited
Yes
Yes
4K
No
Yes – after settings have been changed.
No
No
$19–$339 / month
Spotlightr
Yes
25 on the base paid plan, unlimited on other plans.
50 GB to 600 GB depending on plan.
Yes
No
4K
No
Yes – with a plugin installed.
Yes
Yes
$7–$49 / month
SproutVideo
Yes
Unlimited
500 GB
Yes
No
8K
Yes
Yes – public videos only.
No
No
$24.99–$499.99 /month
Vidyard
Yes
Unlimited
Unlimited
Only 20 of your videos
Yes
4K
No
Yes – with a plugin installed.
No
No
Free (with restrictions) – $19 /month
Vimeo
Yes
5–20 uploads a month, dependent on plan.
Unlimited
Yes
Yes
8K
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
$9–$51 / month
WordPress video hosting FAQs
Still have questions? Check out the answers to some FAQs below.
What’s the best private video hosting platform?
For businesses that power their website with WordPress or want a fully customizable and scalable video environment, Jetpack VideoPress is the best private video hosting platform. It offers a cost-effective, enterprise-grade video solution packed with features. VideoPress is made by the team behind WordPress, so it’ll integrate perfectly with your site, and you’ll have access to support from Jetpack’s Happiness Engineers.
Of course, there are a few situations where a different service will be more suitable, and the best private video hosting platform will always depend on what features your business is looking for. Our handy comparison table above will help you make the best choice for your business.
Which platform offers the best bang for your buck?
As you can see from our comparison table, private video hosting varies significantly in price. However, it’s clear that Jetpack VideoPress, at only $5.95 a month for the first year, offers the best value without compromising on features. For this low price, you get an impressive set of enterprise video hosting features, including 1 TB storage and an immersive video experience for your visitors.
Get started with private video hosting today
Videos are a powerful tool for every business, but it’s crucial that you use a video hosting service designed with your needs in mind. When you use a private video hosting service for WordPress, you avoid advertisements on your videos and the rights issues often associated with public video sharing sites. You simply have more control.
Why not experience the benefits of private video hosting for yourself and sign up to Jetpack VideoPress today?
