To Pay or Not to Pay?

That’s one of many questions you’ll probably have when you’re ready to start live streaming. If you’re new to this, you might not know which service is right for your organization. There are a ton of streaming platforms and providers to choose from, and the plethora of options can be overwhelming. 

If you’re wondering whether you should pay for streaming, remember: Both free and paid services have pros and cons. Think about your live streaming goals and what you're trying to accomplish. Do you want great-looking, HD video quality? Are you hoping to increase your following or share uninterrupted, ad-free content with unlimited viewers? 

If you answered "yes" to any or all of these questions, here are five reasons why you should strongly consider going with a pro-grade streaming service — whether you pay or not:

1. Professional Quality 

People tuning in to your broadcasts expect you to deliver a first-rate viewing experience. If you use a free social platform like YouTube or Facebook Live, you won’t have as much control over this as you will if you go with a professional-grade streaming service. 

Most free social platforms monetize your content for their own gain, and often interrupt broadcasts with distracting ads that may compete with your message. With a professional-grade service like BoxCast, you regulate what goes out to your audience with less congestion, better picture quality, and greater security.

2. Reliable Service

Speaking of security, you need a streaming provider you can count on. Because some businesses, schools, and municipalities block popular social sites like YouTube and Facebook, it’s not always possible to reach your audience using those platforms. 

A professional-grade service can give you the ability to share your streams or send your broadcasts to multiple destinations at once (like your website, social media profiles, smart TV channels, and more), so you can connect with viewers wherever they’re watching. Even if there are a ton of people watching your live stream, your video quality won’t suffer if you use a provider like BoxCast with a super-dependable content distribution network (CDN). Plus, you won’t have to worry about annoying buffering or that your stream might get shut down due to suspected use of unlicensed content.

3. Next-Level Live Streams

Sometimes, more is more. As in, more features that let you customize your broadcasts to increase viewership, engagement, and monetization. You get a lot more with a pro-grade, subscription-based service like BoxCast than you do with free social ones because you can upgrade your streaming plan anytime to gain access to better features.

What kinds of features? Well, for starters, you can brand your broadcasts with Graphic Overlays, or increase accessibility by adding captions so your viewers can easily follow along at home. You can also earn money from your live streams by collecting donations or setting a ticket price for folks who want to watch your events remotely. Not to mention boost engagement by starting and facilitating conversations during your streams with Viewer Chat.

Features like these aren't free, but if you're looking to build your brand and better connect with your audience, they're worth paying for.

4. Live Support

Another major factor to think about is technical support. Free social streaming platforms usually don’t offer much if you need immediate assistance. On the other hand, a professional-grade service is far more likely to provide the support you need when you need it.

At BoxCast, we provide a ton of complimentary online content in our Support Center to help you quickly troubleshoot any streaming issues you might have. We also offer live support to our paid plan subscribers seven days a week. Whether you need specialized help fixing a problem or basic guidance, our expert streaming coaches are readily available by phone, email, or chat. 

5. BoxCast Makes It Easy

With BoxCast, you don’t have to be an experienced broadcaster to produce professional-looking streams. We work with broadcasters of all levels, and are here to help you achieve your streaming goals — however big or small they may be.

But don’t just take our word for it. To see what separates a pro-grade live streaming service from other free social platforms,  try BoxCast free for 14 days — no credit card or commitment required. See for yourself how our features can improve your streams and up your audience's engagement.

Happy streaming!