Streaming Servers: Nimble Streamer vs. Wowza Streaming Engine

Comparing the streaming servers Nimble Streamer and Wowza Streaming Engine

This time we compare the Nimble Streamer and the Wowza Streaming Engine. First, both streaming servers are briefly introduced. Then we compare some features and come back to the summary.

Nimble Streamer is a freeware media server software for live and VOD (Video On Demand) streaming developed and provided by WMSPanel.

The first public release took place in 2013 and since then there has been an update at regular intervals, usually within about a week, to ensure lasting quality. Nimble Streamer is available for Linux, Windows and MacOS.

Wowza Streaming Engine is a streaming media server software developed by Wowza Media Systems with which you can also stream live and VOD. Unlike Nimble, Wowza is not freely available. There are free Developer and Trial licenses, but a normal Subscription License costs $65/month.

In Addition, Wowza has been on the market for much longer. As a matter of fact, since 2007.

Comparing Nimble & Wowza

Wowza supports all operating systems. That means Windows, OS X, Linux and Unix. In contrast, Unix is not supported by Nimble. A clear point for Wowza if you depend on Unix support.

Depending on the use of the streaming server it is, of course, important to know which container formats the corresponding streaming server supports. Here is a direct comparison:

Nimble Streamer

Wowza Streaming Engine

Both Nimble and Wowza support six of the eleven container formats. Which of the two streaming servers you should actually decide on depends on which container formats you use.

Another important aspect is the supported internet protocols. Here, too, we have prepared a comparison:

Nimble Streamer

Wowza Streaming Engine

Here Wowza offers some more features. Nimble supports a full eleven of the 14 internet protocols mentioned here. Nimble, on the other hand, only seven.

But here too, you should make your choice of streaming server dependent on the Internet protocols used. We have already reported in detail on the two protocols MPEG DASH and HLS here. There is also this page about WebRTC we created for you.

Summary

Overall, Wowza offers several more features compared to Nimble in terms of compatibility with operating systems, container formats and internet protocols. However, Wowza is a paid service, whereas Nimble is a completely free alternative.

Finally, you should weigh up your needs first and then compare them with the solutions offered by the corresponding streaming server in order to achieve a satisfying solution in the end.

How is your company handling the challenges of enterprise streaming and video communications?

About StriveCast

StriveCast is a leading technology provider for eCDN solutions. Our WebRTC-based P2P mesh network is used by large companies like Swisscom, Siemens, Gazprom, and NEP group to solve the problem of network congestion during live events. Based in Germany, we are constantly improving and adapting our cutting-edge P2P technology in order to provide the next generation of enterprise video delivery. Today, StriveCast connects over 150,000 users worldwide on a daily basis, saving customers up to 95% of CDN traffic with a unique server-side-managed Peer-To-Peer network.

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