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OvenMediaEngine

What OvenMediaEngine is
OvenMediaEngine is a self-hosted live streaming server for sending high-definition video to large audiences with sub-second latency. It runs on Linux, through an API, or as a self-hosted deployment. Inputs include WebRTC, WHIP, SRT, RTMP, E-RTMP, MPEG-2 TS, RTSP, scheduled channels, and multiplex channels. Delivery options are WebRTC, LL-HLS, HLS, and SRT; the stated latency is under one second for WebRTC and SRT, and under three seconds for LL-HLS. Its transcoder handles VP8, H.264, hardware H.265, AV1, Opus, AAC, and pass-through. Features include adaptive bitrate streaming, recording, DVR, thumbnails, push publishing, REST API access, clustering, and monitoring. OvenLiveKit, OBS, and XSplit can provide sources, while OvenPlayer supports WebRTC and LL-HLS playback. The open-source edition is AGPL-3.0-only. Enterprise adds DRM integration, RTMP authentication, and SHA-256 encryption. A free edition is available; Enterprise starts at $100 a month.
Who it suits
It suits organizations running their own live video infrastructure, including teams needing multiple ingest and delivery protocols. The free open-source edition fits deployments able to meet AGPL-3.0-only obligations, while Enterprise provides added security and support options.
What it does well
- Supports many ingest and delivery protocols
- Sub-second WebRTC and SRT latency
- Includes recording, DVR, and monitoring
- Open-source edition available
- No channel limits on Enterprise plans
What to know first
- Enterprise starts at $100 a month
- Open-source edition uses AGPL-3.0-only
- Higher support tiers cost additional fees
Limits
The open-source edition is AGPL-3.0-only, and the maker’s compliance notice requires service providers to disclose source code under AGPLv3. Enterprise Basic email support has a maximum three-business-day response; higher support tiers cost extra.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Billed monthly · No channel limits | $100 a month |
| Annual | Annual plan; page states approximately $83.3 per month · No channel limits | $1,000 a year |
| Perpetual | Basic support renewal: $500 per year · No channel limits | $2,500 a month |
| OvenMediaEngine Open-Source | Free and open-source · AGPLv3 · Deploy anywhere | Free |
| OvenMediaEngine Enterprise Monthly | Billed monthly · Per instance · No channel limits · Complete Enterprise feature set · Basic-tier support | $100 a month |
| OvenMediaEngine Enterprise Annual | Annual; ≈ $83.3 per month · Per instance · No channel limits · Complete Enterprise feature set · Basic-tier support | $1,000 a year |
| OvenMediaEngine Enterprise Perpetual | One-time purchase; Basic Support Renewal: $500 per year · Per instance · No channel limits · Lifetime license access · 1-year updates and support | $2,500, paid once |
As ovenmedia.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Choose the open-source edition or an enterprise plan
- Prepare Docker, Ubuntu 18+, Rocky Linux 8+, AlmaLinux 8+, or Fedora 28+
- Deploy the self-hosted server
- Connect a source such as OvenLiveKit, OBS, or XSplit
- Configure ingest and delivery protocols
- Use OvenPlayer or another supported playback setup
Verdict
OvenMediaEngine combines broad protocol support with self-hosted control and low stated latency. Check AGPL requirements, deployment platforms, and Enterprise support pricing before choosing an edition.
Questions
Is OvenMediaEngine free?
The OvenMediaEngine Open-Source plan is free and deployable anywhere. Enterprise plans start at $100 a month.
What platforms can it run on?
The guide lists Docker, Ubuntu 18+, Rocky Linux 8+, AlmaLinux 8+, and Fedora 28+ as tested deployment platforms.
What license covers the open-source edition?
It uses the AGPL-3.0-only license. The maker says service providers must disclose source code under its AGPLv3 compliance notice.
Are there channel limits?
Enterprise pricing is per instance with no channel limits and no per-viewer fees.
What support comes with enterprise?
Enterprise customers receive Basic email support with a maximum three-business-day response. Higher support tiers are available for additional fees.
Which enterprise security features are listed?
Enterprise features include DRM integration, RTMP authentication, and SHA-256 encryption.
Facts from OvenMediaEngine's own pages
- Custom RTMP destinations
- Yes · ovenmedia.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Deployment platforms
- The guide lists Docker, Ubuntu 18+, Rocky Linux 8+, AlmaLinux 8+, and Fedora 28+ as tested platforms. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Enterprise security
- Enterprise features include DRM integration, RTMP authentication, and SHA-256 encryption. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Features
- Listed features include adaptive bitrate streaming, recording, DVR, thumbnails, push publishing, REST API, clustering, and monitoring. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2010 · ovenmedia.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · ovenmedia.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Seoul, South Korea · ovenmedia.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Ingest
- It accepts WebRTC, WHIP, SRT, RTMP, E-RTMP, MPEG-2 TS, and RTSP inputs, along with scheduled and multiplex channels. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The guide names OvenLiveKit, OBS, and XSplit as possible sources, and offers OvenPlayer as an open-source JavaScript player for WebRTC and LL-HLS playback. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The open-source edition is AGPL-3.0-only, and the maker says service providers must disclose source code under its AGPLv3 compliance notice. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Limits and pricing
- Enterprise pricing is per instance with no per-viewer fees and no channel limits; the page also states bulk-purchase and long-term-contract discounts are available. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Maker
- OvenMedia Labs says it has been behind OvenMediaEngine since 2010 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Pre-recorded streams
- Yes · ovenmedia.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- OvenMediaEngine is a self-hosted live streaming server for delivering high-definition video to large audiences with sub-second latency. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- The open-source guide lists access control through AdmissionWebhooks and SignedPolicy, and DRM support for Widevine, FairPlay, and PlayReady. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 100 · ovenmedia.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Streaming
- It supports WebRTC, LL-HLS, HLS, and SRT delivery, with the page stating under one-second latency for WebRTC and SRT and under three seconds for LL-HLS. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Enterprise customers receive Basic email support with a maximum three-business-day response; higher support tiers are offered for additional fees. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Transcoding
- The embedded transcoder supports VP8, H.264, H.265 on hardware, AV1, Opus, AAC, and pass-through. · ovenmedia.com, 7 Oct 2026
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