Secure video hosting without the 5x storage multiplier.
| Feature | host.video | VdoCipher |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $20/mo ($200/yr) | $129/yr (50 GB storage, 300 GB bandwidth) |
| Storage billing | Actual GB stored | ~5x actual file size (transcoded copies) |
| AI search inside videos | Included on all plans | Not available |
| Auto transcription | Included, no per-minute fee | Not a core feature |
| DRM (Widevine + FairPlay) | Not currently offered | Included on all plans |
| Dynamic watermarking | Not currently offered | Included on all plans |
| API production-readiness | Production-ready API | Own docs say API "should never be used as a dependency for HTTP requests" |
| Bandwidth overage | Playback pauses or opt-in cap | $0.13-0.25/GB depending on plan |
VdoCipher breaks files into pieces and creates copies for multiple devices, so "a 1GB video file uses about 5GB of storage space." Users report running out of storage and bandwidth after uploading just 8 videos despite them not being viewed. host.video charges for actual storage used — what you upload is what you pay for.
host.video automatically transcribes every upload and makes your entire library searchable. VdoCipher is focused narrowly on DRM and piracy prevention — no search, no transcription, no smart chapters.
VdoCipher's own documentation states their API "should never be used as a dependency for HTTP requests made by general users of your website" and limits requests to 40 items per call. host.video provides a production-ready API designed for programmatic use.
VdoCipher includes Widevine and FairPlay DRM on all plans from day one — not as an add-on. For e-learning platforms and course creators where piracy prevention is the top priority, VdoCipher has DRM built into its core architecture.
VdoCipher overlays user-specific information (IP, email, user ID) that moves across the video during playback to deter screen capture. While users note the watermark can be bypassed by zooming out, it provides a deterrent layer that host.video does not currently offer.
VdoCipher Starter is $129/yr for 50 GB storage and 300 GB bandwidth. Value is $429/yr for 200 GB and 1.5 TB. However, the 5x storage multiplier means 50 GB of actual video files consumes roughly 250 GB of billed storage. host.video Starter is $200/yr for 200 GB actual storage and 2 TB bandwidth. At the Value-equivalent tier, host.video Business is $1,000/yr for 500 GB actual storage and 5 TB bandwidth with AI search, transcription, chapters, and custom domains. VdoCipher Pro is $1,549/yr for 800 GB (effectively ~160 GB of real video) and 8 TB bandwidth. Overage on VdoCipher ranges from $0.13-0.25/GB.
VdoCipher is the right choice for e-learning platforms, particularly in markets like Indian test-prep, where piracy prevention is the absolute top priority. If DRM with dynamic watermarking on every plan at a low price point is the deciding factor and you can accept the storage multiplier, VdoCipher is purpose-built for anti-piracy.
Choose host.video if you want honest storage billing, AI-powered search across your video library, automatic transcription, and a production-ready API. If you need secure video hosting with password protection and signed URLs but DRM is not a hard requirement, host.video provides more features at a more transparent price point.