Want to create your own video sharing platform like YouTube or Vimeo? Whether you're building a video community, educational platform, or enterprise video solution, these video CMS platforms and scripts can help you launch your video sharing website in 2026.
Best Open Source Video Platforms
1. PeerTube
Best Decentralized Solution
PeerTube is a free, decentralized video platform that uses P2P technology to reduce server load. Part of the Fediverse, it allows federation between instances.
- Free and open source
- Decentralized (P2P streaming)
- Federation support
- No ads or tracking
- Customizable instances
- Live streaming support
Tech Stack: TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Redis
2. MediaCMS
Best Modern Open Source
MediaCMS is a modern, fully-featured open source video and media CMS built with Django and React.
- Modern React frontend
- HLS adaptive streaming
- Multiple user roles
- Playlists and categories
- Comments and likes
- REST API
Tech Stack: Python, Django, React, PostgreSQL
3. Jellyfin
Best for Personal Media Server
Jellyfin is a free media server for streaming your personal collection. Great for private video libraries.
- Free and open source
- No premium features locked
- Live TV and DVR
- Multiple client apps
- Hardware transcoding
- Plugin system
Tech Stack: C#, .NET
4. Invidious
Best YouTube Frontend
Invidious is an alternative frontend for YouTube that provides a privacy-respecting way to watch YouTube videos.
- YouTube video playback
- No Google tracking
- RSS feeds
- Subscription management
- Audio-only mode
- No ads
Tech Stack: Crystal
Best Premium Video Platforms
5. Vimeo OTT
Best for Monetization
Vimeo OTT (formerly VHX) lets you launch your own video streaming service with subscriptions, rentals, and purchases.
- Subscription, rental, purchase options
- Branded apps (iOS, Android, TV)
- Analytics dashboard
- Marketing tools
- Live streaming
- DRM protection
Price: Starting at $1/subscriber/month
6. Uscreen
Best for Course Creators
Uscreen is designed for video monetization, perfect for online courses, fitness content, and membership sites.
- Video-on-demand
- Live streaming
- Membership management
- Branded mobile apps
- Community features
- Analytics
Price: Starting at $149/month
7. Dacast
Best for Professional Streaming
Dacast offers professional video hosting and live streaming with China delivery and white-label options.
- Live streaming
- Video on demand
- China video delivery
- White-label player
- API access
- Monetization tools
Price: Starting at $39/month
Best Self-Hosted Video Scripts
8. ClipBucket
Best YouTube Clone
ClipBucket is a PHP-based video sharing platform that's been around for years and offers features similar to YouTube.
- Video uploads and sharing
- User channels
- Playlists
- Comments system
- Ad management
- Mobile responsive
Tech Stack: PHP, MySQL, FFmpeg
9. AVideo (YouPHPTube)
Best Feature-Rich Clone
AVideo is a free video platform with features like live streaming, video encoding, and plugins.
- Video hosting and streaming
- Live streaming
- Plugin system
- Encoder integration
- User management
- Monetization options
Tech Stack: PHP, MySQL
10. CumulusClips
Best Lightweight Option
CumulusClips is a simple, lightweight video sharing CMS that's easy to set up and customize.
- Simple installation
- User registration
- Video categories
- Comments and ratings
- Responsive design
- Plugin support
Tech Stack: PHP, MySQL
Comparison Table
| Platform | Type | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| PeerTube | Open Source | Decentralized hosting | Free |
| MediaCMS | Open Source | Modern video CMS | Free |
| Jellyfin | Open Source | Personal media | Free |
| Vimeo OTT | SaaS | Monetization | $1/sub/mo |
| Uscreen | SaaS | Courses & memberships | $149/mo |
| ClipBucket | Self-hosted | YouTube clone | Free/Paid |
| AVideo | Self-hosted | Full-featured | Free |
Server Requirements
Running a video sharing platform requires significant resources:
- Storage: Lots of disk space for video files (consider cloud storage)
- Bandwidth: High bandwidth for video streaming
- CPU: For video transcoding (or use external encoder)
- RAM: At least 4GB, more for larger sites
- FFmpeg: Required for video processing
Key Features to Consider
- Video encoding: Automatic transcoding to multiple qualities
- Adaptive streaming: HLS or DASH for smooth playback
- CDN integration: For faster global delivery
- User management: Registration, profiles, subscriptions
- Monetization: Ads, subscriptions, pay-per-view
- Mobile apps: iOS and Android support
- Analytics: Viewer statistics and engagement metrics
Alternative Approaches
Use YouTube API
Instead of hosting videos yourself, embed YouTube videos and use their API to build a curated video site.
Cloud Video Services
Services like AWS Media Services, Cloudflare Stream, or Mux handle encoding and delivery while you focus on the frontend.
WordPress + Video Plugins
Combine WordPress with plugins like VideoPress or embed-based solutions for simpler video sites.
FAQ
How much does it cost to run a video sharing site?
Costs vary widely. Storage and bandwidth are the biggest expenses. A small site might cost $50-100/month, while larger platforms can cost thousands.
Can I monetize my video platform?
Yes, most platforms support ads, subscriptions, and pay-per-view. Premium solutions like Vimeo OTT make monetization easier.
Do I need a powerful server?
For video transcoding, yes. However, you can offload encoding to services like AWS MediaConvert or use pre-encoded videos.
Which is best for beginners?
For SaaS: Uscreen or Vimeo OTT. For self-hosted: CumulusClips or AVideo with good documentation.
Building a video sharing platform requires careful planning for storage, bandwidth, and encoding. Open source solutions like PeerTube and MediaCMS offer flexibility, while paid platforms like Vimeo OTT provide easier monetization. Choose based on your technical skills, budget, and specific requirements.