Wistia
Video hosting and marketing analytics platform built for business growth
What is Wistia?
Wistia is a video hosting and marketing platform founded in 2006, built specifically for businesses that use video as a revenue-driving marketing asset. Unlike YouTube or Vimeo, Wistia hosts videos on a branded player that keeps viewers on your website rather than redirecting them to a third-party platform. This approach, combined with deep marketing analytics, makes Wistia the preferred choice for B2B companies using video to drive pipeline and conversions.
The analytics in Wistia go far beyond basic view counts. The platform tracks individual viewer engagement by time segment, showing which parts of each video hold attention and where viewers drop off. Heatmaps visualize engagement across all viewers, A/B testing compares different versions of a video for conversion rate, and the Turnstile lead capture feature gates video content behind an email form at any point in the video, converting viewers into marketing leads.
Wistia also includes Channels, a branded streaming page for organizing video libraries, and Podcast Hosting that powers audio podcasts from the same platform. The platform integrates with HubSpot, Marketo, Salesforce, Pardot, and other marketing automation tools, syncing video engagement data as behavioral signals for lead scoring and nurture campaigns.
Key Features
- Professional branded video player with no third-party logos
- Per-second viewer engagement heatmaps
- A/B testing for video thumbnails and content
- Turnstile email capture gate at any video moment
- HubSpot, Marketo, and Salesforce integrations
- Wistia Channels for branded video libraries
- Podcast hosting from the same platform
- Password protection and privacy controls
- Custom domain and player branding
- Accessibility features including auto-captions
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best video marketing analytics of any hosting platform
- Branded player keeps viewers on your site
- Lead capture integration with marketing automation
- Reliable hosting with no ads or competitor recommendations
Cons
- Free plan limited to 10 videos with Wistia branding
- Higher cost than YouTube for pure hosting needs
- Not designed for consumer content discovery
- Advanced analytics require higher plan tiers
Pricing
Model: Freemium
| Plan | Price | Key Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 10 videos, 3 podcasts, Wistia branding, basic analytics |
| Plus | $19/mo | Unlimited videos, no Wistia branding, advanced analytics |
| Pro | $79/mo | A/B testing, Turnstile, CRM integrations, priority support |
| Advanced | $319/mo | Advanced lead tools, custom reporting, SSO, SLA |
FAQ
- Why use Wistia instead of YouTube for business video?
- Wistia keeps viewers on your website rather than sending them to YouTube where they can discover competitors. It provides detailed analytics, lead capture, A/B testing, and CRM integration that YouTube does not offer. For business video that needs to drive leads and conversions, Wistia is significantly more capable.
- What is the Wistia Turnstile?
- Turnstile is a lead capture form that appears inside the video player at any point you choose, such as before the video starts or after the first 30 seconds. Viewers enter their email to continue watching. Their information syncs to HubSpot, Marketo, or other connected CRM tools.
- Does Wistia have an affiliate program?
- Wistia has operated partner programs for agencies and technology integrators. Check wistia.com/partners for current affiliate and partner opportunities.
- Wistia vs Vidyard: what is the difference?
- Wistia focuses on marketing video hosting with deep website analytics, A/B testing, and lead generation. Vidyard focuses on sales prospecting with personalized video recording and CRM activity tracking. For marketing teams, Wistia is typically the better fit.
- Can Wistia host podcast audio?
- Yes. Wistia includes podcast hosting, allowing you to publish and distribute an audio podcast from the same platform you use for video. It generates an RSS feed compatible with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other directories.