MistServer review: a free, open-source, public-domain streaming media server supporting HLS, DASH, RTMP, WebRTC, and SRT. Features, pricing, alternatives.
MistServer is a media streaming server toolkit built to ingest, transcode, and deliver live and on-demand video across a wide range of protocols, including HLS, MPEG-DASH, RTMP, WebRTC, and SRT. Its roots trace back to 2009, when Dutch company DDVTech B.V. was founded after a failed media project exposed shortcomings in existing streaming server software.
After a 2021 acquisition by Livepeer, Inc., the entire MistServer codebase was released into the public domain in 2022 with the launch of version 3.0, and the original team restructured as a cooperative, OptiMist Video B.V., with each team member an equal part-owner.
MistServer functions as a modular toolkit that can accept input via numerous streaming protocols and output to numerous player-facing protocols simultaneously, making it suitable for building custom live-streaming platforms, video-on-demand services, CDNs, and broadcast workflows.
Because it is public-domain software, every feature is free to use for any purpose, including commercial use, with no per-server or per-feature restrictions imposed by the software itself.
The core MistServer software is entirely free, full-featured, and usable for any purpose, including commercial use, with no software-imposed restrictions since its full open-sourcing in 2022.
The team behind MistServer also offers optional paid professional services on top of the free core, such as SLAs, technical assistance, and custom feature or build development, typically arranged as a simple monthly service charge or custom licensing agreement, with current pricing available by contacting their sales team.
Yes, the entire MistServer codebase has been fully open source and public domain since 2022, free to use for any purpose including commercial use, with optional paid professional services available separately.
MistServer supports a wide range of streaming protocols including HLS, MPEG-DASH, RTMP, WebRTC, and SRT, among others, for both ingest and output.
MistServer originated from Dutch company DDVTech B.V., founded in 2009, and is now maintained by OptiMist Video B.V., a cooperative formed by the original team after a 2021-2022 acquisition and public-domain release by Livepeer.
Yes, since the 2022 public-domain release with MistServer 3.0, all features can be used commercially with no software-imposed licensing fees.
Yes, the maintaining team offers optional professional services such as SLAs, technical assistance, and custom development for a fee, with current pricing available on request.
It is used to build custom live-streaming and video-on-demand infrastructure, including broadcast platforms and CDNs, by broadcasters, media companies, and developers.