Modern video hosting with AI that SproutVideo has not shipped.
| Feature | host.video | SproutVideo |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $20/mo | $10/mo (Seed — 100 GB storage, 100 GB bandwidth) |
| Bandwidth (mid-tier) | 5 TB/mo (Business) | 1 TB/mo (Tree, $75/mo) |
| AI search inside videos | Included on all plans | Not available |
| Auto transcription | Included, no per-minute fee | Not available |
| Auto chapters | Included on all plans | Not available |
| Bandwidth overage | Playback pauses or opt-in cap | $0.06-0.25/GB depending on plan |
| API/SDK | API available | Limited — no robust API/SDKs |
| Custom domains | Included on Business plan | Available (CNAME) |
SproutVideo has no AI features — no transcription, no search inside videos, no auto-generated chapters. host.video automatically transcribes every upload, generates chapters, and makes your entire library searchable. In a space where every competitor is adding AI, SproutVideo has not kept pace.
SproutVideo users report "frequently exceeding bandwidth limits, which adds to the cost." Overage rates range from $0.06 to $0.25 per GB depending on plan. host.video pauses playback at your limit — you are never billed for overages unless you explicitly opt in and set your own spending cap.
SproutVideo Tree plan ($75/mo) includes 1 TB bandwidth. host.video Business ($100/mo) includes 5 TB bandwidth — 5x more for 33% more cost. SproutVideo Forest ($295/mo) includes 2 TB bandwidth. host.video Business includes 2.5x more bandwidth at one-third the price.
SproutVideo Seed plan is $10/mo for 100 GB storage and 100 GB bandwidth. For very small libraries with minimal traffic, SproutVideo offers a cheaper starting point.
SproutVideo offers mobile-optimized video landing pages and full video sites with customizable themes, no coding required. If you need a simple, standalone video website rather than embeds on an existing site, SproutVideo has a built-in solution.
SproutVideo Seed is $10/mo for 100 GB storage and 100 GB bandwidth. Sprout is $35/mo for 350 GB each. Tree is $75/mo for 1 TB each. Forest is $295/mo for 2 TB each. host.video Starter is $20/mo ($200/yr) for 200 GB storage and 2 TB bandwidth — 20x the bandwidth of SproutVideo Seed. host.video Business is $100/mo ($1,000/yr) for 500 GB storage and 5 TB bandwidth with AI search, transcription, chapters, custom domains, and a white-label player. To match host.video Business bandwidth on SproutVideo, you would need the Forest plan at $295/mo with overage charges beyond 2 TB.
SproutVideo is the right choice for small teams with very low bandwidth needs who want a simple, affordable host with turnkey video websites. If you need a standalone video site with customizable themes and your library is small, SproutVideo Seed at $10/mo is a cost-effective entry point. Their customer support is consistently praised as fast and human.
Choose host.video if you need AI-powered search across your video library, automatic transcription and chapters, or more bandwidth without paying 3x the price. If you are growing and want a platform that is actively shipping modern features rather than one that has remained largely static for 13 years, host.video is the better long-term bet.