Top Meerkat Alternatives for Live Video Streaming
Meerkat, once a prominent player in the live video streaming space, allowed users to instantly broadcast from their phones to Twitter followers, pushing real-time notifications and fostering live interaction. Its core philosophy revolved around immediacy – everything happened live, with no reruns, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of shared moments. While innovative for its time, the streaming landscape has evolved, and users often seek alternatives that offer different features, broader platform support, or a more tailored experience. If you're looking for a great Meerkat alternative, you're in the right place.
Top Meerkat Alternatives
Whether you're a gamer, a content creator, or simply looking to share live moments with friends and family, there's a Meerkat alternative out there for you. Here are some of the best options available today, offering robust features and diverse communities.
YouTube
YouTube is a widely recognized video-sharing website that allows users to upload, view, and share videos. As a robust Meerkat alternative, YouTube offers extensive live streaming capabilities alongside its massive library of on-demand content. It supports HD and 4K videos, features a built-in commenting system, and is available across a vast array of platforms including Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad, Apple TV, and more. While Freemium, its extensive features for video sharing, monetization, and community interaction make it a powerful choice.
Twitch
Twitch.tv is a premier live-streaming portal primarily focused on video gaming, but it has expanded to include a wide variety of other content. As a strong Meerkat alternative, Twitch offers dedicated features for game streaming, live broadcasting, and social interaction. It's available on Mac, Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, iPad, and more, operating on a Freemium model. Its gaming-centric features and large, interactive community make it ideal for streamers in that niche.
Dailymotion
Dailymotion is a global video sharing service that serves as a solid Meerkat alternative for general video sharing and live content. It offers video hosting and sharing capabilities with features like HTTPS support and IFTTT integration. Dailymotion is free to use and accessible on a wide range of platforms including Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, and various tablets, providing a versatile option for content creators and viewers alike.
Periscope
Periscope, formerly a direct competitor and later a Twitter-owned app, allowed users to explore the world through someone else's eyes via live broadcasts. As a direct Meerkat alternative, Periscope focused on instant notifications to followers, live commenting, and sending 'hearts'. It was free and available on Web, Android, iPhone, and Apple TV, offering features like content discovery, HD video support, and direct embedding on Twitter, which was a significant advantage due to its integration with Twitter.
Mixer
Mixer (formerly Beam) was an interactive live streaming platform with a strong community, particularly popular among gamers. As a Meerkat alternative, it focused on low-latency streaming and interactive features like Built-in Level Editor and User Levels. It was free and available on Web, Android, iPhone, and iPad, offering a social network aspect and apps with Chromecast support, making it an excellent choice for interactive gaming streams.
Bast
Bast is a simpler Meerkat alternative focused on discovering the latest top trending viral videos, primarily from YouTube. It's a free app available on Android and Opera, offering a streamlined discovery engine for popular video content and trends without the complexity of live broadcasting.
Beme
Beme offered a unique approach to video sharing, allowing users to instantly capture unfiltered moments with a simple gesture. As a Meerkat alternative, it emphasized raw, authentic video sharing within a social network context. Beme was free and available on Android and iPhone, focusing on sharing personal experiences without the need for complex editing or production.
Iboga Live
Iboga Live is an app that facilitates sharing live videos with Facebook friends. As a Meerkat alternative, its main feature is the ability to broadcast live video directly to your social network. It's free and available on Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad, making it a convenient option for sharing live moments within your Facebook circle.
Rhinobird.tv
Rhinobird.tv is a people-driven live network aiming to be a platform for producing, curating, and sharing live events. As a Meerkat alternative, it offers live broadcasting and Internet TV features through a web-based platform. It's free and focuses on user-generated live content, positioning itself as a community-driven streaming service.
Voola
Voola is a mobile app designed for easy video sharing, offering both live streams (up to 4 minutes) and recorded videos in a 20-second hyperlapse format. As a Meerkat alternative, Voola is free and available on Android, providing unique video sharing and streaming features for quick, engaging content.
The world of live streaming is rich with options, each offering a unique set of features and community experiences. Whether you prioritize gaming, general content sharing, or intimate broadcasts, exploring these Meerkat alternatives will help you find the perfect platform to connect and share your moments with the world.