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Head-to-head · Live Stream Scheduling Software

Lightcast vs playout.video

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Lightcast #5 in Live Stream Scheduling Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Lightcast
playout.video #7 in Live Stream Scheduling Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit playout.video

Lightcast leads on 0 checks, playout.video on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLightcast · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly playout.video
  • Most featuresLightcast · 2 of 3

Lightcast scores higher on our rubric for live stream scheduling software: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

Lightcast is the better fit for OTT and connected-TV publishers. playout.video is the better fit for creators needing scheduled 24/7 channels.

  • Lightcast fits best

    OTT and connected-TV publishers

  • playout.video fits best

    Creators needing scheduled 24/7 channels

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Side by side

Feature Lightcast 9.0/10 Visit ↗ playout.video 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #5 in Live Stream Scheduling Software #7 in Live Stream Scheduling Software
Best for OTT and connected-TV publishers Creators needing scheduled 24/7 channels
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Pricing on request $19/unit/mo
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Tickets, Docs Email, Tickets, Live chat, Docs
Integrations 30+ integrations 20+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Lightcast 2/3 · playout.video 1/3
Playlist support ✓ ✓
Simulcasting ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Recurring schedules Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Max destinations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Maximum resolution Not checked yet Not checked yet
Video storage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 24/7 scheduling with VOD-to-live looping and cloud playout
  • Distributes to social, web, mobile, and connected-TV platforms
  • Combines recording, trimming, analytics, media management, and APIs
  • Runs 24/7 playlist channels independently of a local computer
  • Schedules recurring programming with automatic stream actions
  • Broadcasts to 20+ destinations with custom RTMP and RTMPS outputs
Cons
  • Quote-based pricing makes direct budget comparison less immediate
  • Broad feature coverage may exceed the needs of simple stream schedulers
  • Custom apps and multi-platform distribution can require more planning
  • Category specifications list a maximum of one channel
  • Free plan limits streams to 5-hour sessions
  • Advanced capabilities require paid plans or plan-dependent add-ons
Our verdict

Lightcast is a cloud-based OTT and live-streaming platform for broadcasters, churches, nonprofits, creators, educators, businesses, and government organizations. It brings media management, live-event scheduling, 24/7 VOD-to-live playout,…

Read the review →

playout.video is a web-based cloud streaming platform for creators, broadcasters, churches, educators, businesses, and networks. It combines continuous playlist-based playout with browser-based live production, including guests, scenes,…

Read the review →
  1. LightcastLive Stream Scheduling Software 9.0Pricing on request
  2. playout.videoLive Stream Scheduling Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Lightcast — where it wins

    • 24/7 scheduling with VOD-to-live looping and cloud playout
    • Distributes to social, web, mobile, and connected-TV platforms
    • Combines recording, trimming, analytics, media management, and APIs

    Where it doesn't

    • Quote-based pricing makes direct budget comparison less immediate
    • Broad feature coverage may exceed the needs of simple stream schedulers
    • Custom apps and multi-platform distribution can require more planning

  • playout.video — where it wins

    • Runs 24/7 playlist channels independently of a local computer
    • Schedules recurring programming with automatic stream actions
    • Broadcasts to 20+ destinations with custom RTMP and RTMPS outputs

    Where it doesn't

    • Category specifications list a maximum of one channel
    • Free plan limits streams to 5-hour sessions
    • Advanced capabilities require paid plans or plan-dependent add-ons

More comparisons

All live stream scheduling software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update