Bitmovin Live Encoder

Name: Bitmovin Live Encoder
Author: Bitmovin Live Encoder

Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

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What Bitmovin Live Encoder is

Bitmovin Live Encoder ingests RTMP/S, SRT or Zixi feeds and encodes and packages them into HLS and DASH outputs for streaming. Bitmovin describes it for streaming platforms and service providers, with uses including live events, user-generated content and continuous channels. Live event feeds can use a single input or a main input with a backup. Listed output video codecs are H.264, H.265/HEVC and VP9. Monetization options include server-side and client-side ad insertion, SCTE-35 pass-through and cue insertion through the UI or API. DRM formats include Widevine, PlayReady, Marlin and FairPlay; the product can also generate Live-to-VOD content instantly. It is available as managed SaaS or in customer-owned cloud accounts, with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and Akamai listed as deployment options. The Pay as you go — Live Encoder plan costs nothing and includes 360 minutes per month; additional usage is billed at $3 per hour or $0.05 per minute. An encoding wizard, APIs, code samples and developer documentation support setup.

Who it suits

The encoder suits streaming platforms and service providers delivering live content online. Its deployment options include managed SaaS and customer-owned cloud accounts.

What it does well

Accepts RTMP/S, SRT and Zixi feeds.
Supports HLS and DASH outputs.
Offers single or backup live event inputs.
Includes 360 free minutes per month.

What to know first

The free allowance is 360 minutes monthly.
Additional use costs $3 per hour or $0.05 per minute.
HD option is limited to Full HD at 30 fps.
Custom configurations are listed separately from the HD limits.

Limits

The Pay as you go — Live Encoder plan includes 360 free minutes per month; additional usage is billed at $3 per hour ($0.05 per minute). The Live Encoding HD option lists a maximum of Full HD at 30 fps, six video renditions, and two output manifests; custom configurations list up to 4K and 120 fps.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Pay as you go	360 free minutes per month	On request
Custom	Enterprise usage · Support SLAs · Integration · Professional services · Custom features · Training	On request
Pay as you go — Live Encoder	$3 / additional hour ($0.05 / minute); 6 free hours (360 minutes / month included); $0 fixed costs · 6 free hours/month · additional usage billed per hour or minute	Free

As bitmovin.com lists them, read 21 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://bitmovin.com/live-encoding-live-streaming.
Choose Managed SaaS or a customer-owned cloud deployment.
Use the encoding wizard, APIs, code samples, or developer documentation to get started.
Select the Pay as you go — Live Encoder plan, which includes 360 free minutes per month.

Verdict

Bitmovin Live Encoder covers ingest, encoding, packaging, ad insertion and DRM for live workflows. The free monthly allowance is limited, with additional use billed by time.

Questions

How much does Bitmovin Live Encoder cost?

The Pay as you go — Live Encoder plan is listed as free and includes 360 free minutes per month. Additional usage costs $3 per hour ($0.05 per minute).

Is there a free plan or trial?

Yes. The plan includes 360 free minutes per month, and a free trial is listed.

Which platforms are available?

The listed platforms are API, self-hosted, and web.

Which cloud deployment options are named?

Managed SaaS and customer-owned cloud accounts are offered. Named deployment options include AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Akamai.

What inputs and outputs does it support?

It ingests RTMP/S, SRT, or Zixi feeds and encodes and packages HLS and DASH outputs.

What DRM formats are listed?

Widevine, PlayReady, Marlin, and FairPlay are listed.

Facts from Bitmovin Live Encoder's own pages

Cloud deployment: The Live Encoder is offered as Managed SaaS or can run in customer-owned cloud accounts, with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Akamai named as deployment options. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Codecs: The product lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, and VP9 as output video codecs. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Company: Bitmovin says it was founded in 2012 and is based in San Francisco, Klagenfurt, and Denver. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Content security: The Live Encoder supports multi-DRM integrations for protecting live streams. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
DRM: Listed DRM formats include Widevine, PlayReady, Marlin, and FairPlay. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Free plan: No · bitmovin.com, 21 Sept 2026
Integration partners: Bitmovin lists integrations including Videon LiveEdge, Grass Valley AMPP, Zixi, EZDRM, and Yospace for workflows on Akamai. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Live-to-VOD: The product can generate Live-to-VOD content instantly. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
24/7 looping: Yes · bitmovin.com, 21 Sept 2026
Monetization: It supports server-side and client-side ad insertion, SCTE-35 pass-through, and real-time cue insertion through the UI or API. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose: The Live Encoder ingests RTMP/S, SRT, or Zixi feeds and encodes and packages them as HLS and DASH outputs for streaming. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Redundancy: Live event feeds can use single or dual main-and-backup inputs. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Setup and support: Bitmovin provides an encoding wizard, comprehensive APIs, code samples, and developer documentation to help users get started. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Target customers: Bitmovin describes the solution for streaming platforms and service providers delivering live content over the internet. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Technical limits: The Live Encoding HD option lists a maximum output resolution of Full HD, 30 fps, six video renditions, and two output manifests; custom configurations list up to 4K and 120 fps. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026
Use cases: Bitmovin describes the product for live events, user-generated content, and 24/7 channels. · bitmovin.com, 12 Oct 2026