Intro guide: How to figure out which live streaming platform to use and why

The live streaming landscape is complex with various platforms offering different capabilities. Social media platforms like YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are easy to use but may not allow for building custom video products or applications. Online Video Platforms (OVPs) such as Vimeo, Brightcove, Kaltura, and Wowza provide more flexibility in terms of features and capabilities, while Video APIs like Mux, Cloudflare Stream, and Amazon IVS offer the most customization options for building your own video platform. Key factors to consider when choosing a live streaming platform include latency, player choice, content management system (CMS), customization, revenue generation, development resources, pricing, and advanced features support. A decision tree is provided to help narrow down the best option based on specific criteria.