Introduction
If you’ve ever wondered why Fortune 500 companies avoid YouTube for internal training videos, this guide will show you exactly why and whether your business should follow suit.
Video has become a core part of how businesses communicate, educate, and market. Enterprises are increasingly relying on video content to engage with employees, customers, and partners, and the demand for video content is only growing. Businesses that use video grow revenue 49% faster than those that don’t.
When it comes to video hosting, businesses often face a crucial decision: Should they use an Online Video Platform (OVP) or an Enterprise Video Platform (EVP)?
An OVP is a web-based service built for public video sharing, often with minimal technical requirements. Platforms like YouTube and Vimeo fall into this category, designed for creators and small businesses seeking broad exposure.
On the other hand, an EVP provides advanced security, custom branding, and scalability, making it the preferred choice for enterprises that need control over video content. Gumlet, for example, operates as an EVP, offering enterprise-level hosting solutions for secure, large-scale video delivery.
Let’s break down the differences so you can decide which option best fits your needs.
What is an Online Video Platform?
An Online Video Platform (OVP) is a cloud-based service designed for uploading, hosting, and sharing videos online. These platforms provide businesses, creators, and educators with an easy way to distribute video content to large audiences without the technical complexity.
OVPs typically offer cloud-based storage, Content Delivery Network (CDN) support for fast global access, and adaptive bitrate streaming, ensuring optimal playback quality across devices and internet speeds. With device compatibility, OVPs are optimized to deliver content seamlessly across desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and smart TVs.
Security Limitations
While OVPs are easy to use and highly accessible, they come with certain security limitations. Most OVPs do not offer enterprise-grade features like Digital Rights Management (DRM), signed URLs, or georestrictions. This can expose your video content to unauthorized distribution or piracy, which may be unacceptable for businesses handling sensitive information.
Monetization Models
When it comes to monetization, OVPs offer several basic options, including:
- Ad-supported content – Displaying ads before, during, or after videos (e.g., YouTube ads).
- Subscription-based models (SVOD) – Monthly or yearly payments for access to a library of content (e.g., Vimeo OTT).
- Pay-per-view (PPV) – Users pay to view specific videos or events.
However, monetization features are often limited in flexibility compared to those offered by more robust platforms.
Pros and Cons of Online Video Platforms
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy setup – Minimal technical expertise needed for uploading and sharing videos. | Limited security – Lack of advanced encryption, DRM, or access controls for sensitive content. |
| Low-cost – Many OVPs are free or offer low-cost plans, making them accessible for businesses on a budget. | Ads and branding – Often includes platform branding (e.g., YouTube watermark) or ads that can detract from user experience. |
| Global accessibility – CDN delivery ensures content can reach a wide audience efficiently. | Limited monetization flexibility – Monetization options may not support advanced models like dynamic paywalls. |
| Wide device compatibility – Optimized for desktops, smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. | Basic analytics – Insights may be limited to basic metrics like views and likes. |
Target Audience Examples for Online Video Platforms
- Small businesses: Use OVPs like Vimeo or YouTube to promote products and services to a broad audience through low-cost, ad-supported models.
- Content creators: YouTubers, influencers, and vloggers seeking mass exposure without the need for advanced features or security.
- Educational institutions: Universities or training providers sharing non-sensitive content to a broad audience on platforms like YouTube or Dailymotion.
- Nonprofit organizations: Leverage free video hosting sites to engage with their audience through publicly accessible videos.
Common Terms Related to Online Video Platforms:
- Video Hosting Platform: Services that allow users to upload and store video content for easy distribution.
- OTT Platform: Over-the-top video services that stream content directly to users, bypassing traditional broadcast methods.
- Online Video Streaming Service: Services that allow the streaming of video content over the internet, typically with subscription or ad-based models.
- Best Online Video Platforms for Business: Platforms offering video hosting services tailored to business needs, with scalability and basic monetization features.
- Free Video Hosting Sites: Platforms offering free video hosting, often with limitations in terms of storage, security, and customization.
Who Should Use an Online Video Platform?
- Creators and influencers who thrive on public reach.
- Small businesses promote products or services to a broad audience.
- Educators or trainers sharing non-sensitive material.
- Anyone seeking fast, broad exposure without strict security requirements.
If you’re prioritizing reach over control, an OVP is the fastest way to get your content seen.
What is an Enterprise Video Platform?
An Enterprise Video Platform (EVP) is designed for organizations that require security, scalability, and complete control over their video content. Instead of focusing on public discovery, EVPs are tailored for private, business-critical use cases.
Gumlet, for example, offers enterprise-grade hosting that powers secure video delivery for companies, EdTech platforms, healthcare providers, and SaaS businesses worldwide.
Key Features of Enterprise Video Platforms
- Enterprise-grade security – DRM (Widevine, FairPlay), encryption, signed URLs, SSO, and granular permissions.
- Integrations – Connect with SSO, LMS, CRM, APIs, and workflow tools.
- Advanced analytics & compliance – Viewer-level insights and industry regulation support (GDPR, HIPAA).
- Custom branding & white-labeling – Your logo, your domain, your experience.
- Large-scale live streaming – Global CDN coverage for reliable delivery anywhere.
Who Needs an Enterprise Video Hosting Solution?
- Large enterprises are managing internal training or communication.
- EdTech platforms delivering courses securely.
- B2B companies sharing sensitive client content.
- Media & entertainment businesses are monetizing premium videos.
- Healthcare & finance organizations with strict compliance needs.
If your videos carry high business value—or you need precise control over who can watch—enterprise video hosting is essential.
Online Video Platform vs Enterprise Video Platform: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Online Video Platform | Enterprise Video Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Basic privacy settings | DRM, encryption, signed URLs, SSO, granular access control |
| Branding | Platform’s branding | Fully white-labeled, player/domain customization |
| Integrations | Limited | Extensive APIs, LMS/CRM integration, automation |
| Analytics | Basic metrics | Detailed viewer insights, compliance reporting |
| Scalability | Good for public reach | Optimized for secure, large-scale delivery |
| Cost | Free or low-cost | Custom pricing, SLA-backed support |
Security & Access Control
- Online Video Platforms: Offer simple privacy options like “unlisted” or password-protected videos, but lack DRM and enterprise authentication.
- Enterprise Video Platforms (Gumlet): Provide multi-layer security—DRM to prevent piracy, signed URLs to control access, geo/IP restrictions, and SSO for internal teams.
Branding & Customization
- Online: Your videos carry platform branding (e.g., YouTube watermark) with limited customization.
- Enterprise (Gumlet): Full white-label control—custom player skins, your domain, branded CTAs, and chaptering for a seamless brand experience.
Integration & Workflows
- Online: Standalone experience with minimal workflow integrations.
- Enterprise (Gumlet): Rich integration capabilities—APIs, webhooks, Zapier, LMS, CRM, and custom automation to fit existing business processes.
Analytics & Insights
- Online: Counts views, likes, and watch time.
- Enterprise (Gumlet): Tracks viewer-level engagement, drop-off points, device usage, and geo-data to optimize content strategy.
Cost & Support
- Online: Mostly free, ad-supported, or low-cost. Support is community-driven.
- Enterprise (Gumlet): Custom plans with SLA-backed 24/7 expert support, onboarding assistance, and migration help.
When Should You Choose Enterprise Video Hosting?
Choose an enterprise platform when your use case demands:
- Internal training & communication without risk of leaks.
- B2B content delivery with strict client access control.
- Paywalled video libraries for monetization.
- Protection for proprietary or intellectual property.
- Regulatory compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, etc.).
How Gumlet Stands Out as an Enterprise Video Platform & OVP
Gumlet stands out as a unique solution because it seamlessly bridges the gap between an Online Video Platform (OVP) and an Enterprise Video Platform (EVP). While traditional OVPs like YouTube and Vimeo cater primarily to public-facing video hosting, Gumlet offers the best of both worlds by providing both enterprise video hosting features for businesses that require robust security and compliance, along with the scalability and accessibility of a video hosting platform for broader audiences.
Key Features That Make Gumlet the Top Choice for Enterprise Video Hosting
- Enterprise-grade security: Gumlet provides cutting-edge Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection using Widevine and FairPlay, ensuring your videos are secure and protected from piracy. Encrypted video streaming, signed URLs, and georestrictions give you full control over who can access your content, ensuring that sensitive business videos are only viewed by authorized personnel.
- Custom branding & white-labeling: With Gumlet’s enterprise video hosting, you can enjoy a fully white-labeled experience. Customize your video player’s look, feel, and functionality to align with your brand’s identity. You can even host videos on your custom domain, giving you complete control over your content’s presentation. This is especially important for businesses looking to maintain a professional, branded experience without the distraction of platform logos or ads.
- Scalable & reliable delivery: Gumlet’s global Content Delivery Network (CDN) ensures high-quality video streaming with adaptive bitrate streaming that dynamically adjusts video quality based on users' internet speeds. Whether you're streaming to a few dozen employees or thousands of customers, Gumlet’s infrastructure scales seamlessly to meet your needs. From large-scale live streaming to on-demand videos, Gumlet supports a broad range of use cases.
- Advanced analytics & viewer insights: With Gumlet, you can track detailed viewer-level engagement metrics such as watch time, drop-off points, device usage, and geographic data. These insights are critical for optimizing your content strategy, whether you're analyzing employee training videos or monitoring customer interactions with marketing content. Gumlet’s analytics also support compliance reporting for industries that require it, such as GDPR and HIPAA.
- Integration with existing business tools: Whether you're working with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, Learning Management Systems (LMS), or internal API integrations, Gumlet integrates easily into your existing tech stack. This seamless integration allows for smooth workflows and ensures your business processes are optimized for maximum productivity.
- 24/7 expert support & SLA-backed assistance: One of the standout features of Gumlet’s enterprise video hosting solution is the dedicated 24/7 support that comes with an SLA-backed guarantee. Whether you're troubleshooting technical issues or need guidance during setup and migration, Gumlet’s expert team is always available to assist you.
Conclusion
In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses need a video hosting platform that not only delivers high-quality video content but also ensures security, compliance, and scalability. If you’re a business that requires enterprise-grade video hosting, an Enterprise Video Platform (EVP) like Gumlet is your best choice.
While Online Video Platforms (OVPs) like YouTube or Vimeo are suitable for creators or small businesses that prioritize public reach and free video hosting, they lack the robust security features and customization options that companies need for internal communications, training, or monetized content.
Gumlet stands out as an ideal solution for organizations that require secure, scalable video hosting with advanced analytics and comprehensive integration options. Whether you’re streaming corporate events, delivering training videos to employees, or hosting B2B content, Gumlet’s enterprise video hosting ensures your content is delivered securely and seamlessly to your target audience.
For businesses focused on enterprise video hosting, OTT platforms, or any organization that needs complete control over video content distribution, Gumlet offers a fully customizable, secure, and scalable solution. With advanced security protocols, global CDN delivery, and adaptive streaming, it ensures your video content reaches the right audience with the highest level of performance and reliability.
If you need a reliable, secure, and flexible video hosting solution that can meet your enterprise needs, Gumlet is the right platform for your business.
Ready to see how enterprise video hosting can elevate your business?
Explore Gumlet’s Enterprise Solutions today, and start delivering secure, high-performance video content.
FAQ
What is the main difference between an online video platform and an enterprise video platform?
Enterprise platforms offer advanced security, integrations, and customization, while online video platforms focus on easy sharing and mass reach.
Can I use Gumlet for both public and private video hosting?
Yes. Gumlet supports secure enterprise hosting as well as flexible delivery for public audiences.
Is enterprise video hosting more expensive than standard online video platforms?
Enterprise solutions often cost more due to advanced features and SLA-backed support, but they offer unmatched value for organizations handling high-value content.
What are alternative platforms to Gumlet for enterprise video hosting?
Examples include Kaltura, Brightcove, VIDIZMO, and Microsoft Stream.
Can I migrate from a free online video hosting platform to an enterprise solution?
Yes. Most enterprise platforms, including Gumlet, offer migration tools and onboarding support for a smooth transition.
