ott platform architecture

Best OTT Platform in India (2020)

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Before listing the Best OTT Platform in India (2020), let us discuss OTT full form, OTT meaning and its history and its technical aspect. Further, we will see we why OTT and Platform are becoming so popular. Then we compare the watching movies in the traditional way and online. Furthermore, we will list the Top 10 Best OTT Platform in India for 2020.

Table Of Contents

What is OTT Platform?

OTT full form

OTT FULL FORM IS OVER-THE-TOP

Over-The-Top (OTT). The OTT term was coined in reference to the device or services that go over a cable TV Box or Set Top Box to give the user access to TV Channels and Contents.

OTT Meaning

OTT stands for over-the-top, in which a user can access, TV content through Internet connection rather than traditional cable/broadcast provider. In brief, OTT is streaming video (watching videos over the internet) over the internet. The video may in the form of TV Channels or movies or live video streaming or educational videos or YouTube videos etc.

OTT Platform Meaning

OTT Platform is a set of software and hardware along with other resources like video and audio contents, internet connection, etc that are needed to run the OTT services successfully.

OTT Platform Architecture

To run OTT Video Platform we must have 3 essential things. They are:-

  • OTT Streaming Device – the Hardware.
  • OTT Streaming Platform – the Software.
  • Internet Connection – fast Data Connection like 4G and above.
  • OTT Contents – Video and Audio Contents
ott platform architecture

OTT Platform became highly popular throughout the nationwide lockdown. Due to the pandemic Multiplexes and Cinema Halls are closed. So, the people have to move to the internet to watch movies and distributors were forced to release several movies on these platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, etc. Even serials even better it is called series (the hot trending term) is released in this platform.

History and Technical Aspect of OTT and Streaming Platform.

In India, the history of OTT and Streaming Platform started with BigFlix by Reliance in 2008, then nexGTV – Android and iOS mobile app in 2010, the DittoTV in 2012, etc etc. If you want to know the details, see from here.

Why OTT Platform is so popular?

According to me, the ultimate answers to this question is

  • Accessibility – Firstly, it is accessible to a wide variety of devices,
  • Cost – Secondly, the cost is very less compared to watching movies in multiplex and even it is free.
  • Wide range of content – Thirdly, it has wide variety and range of contents.
  • Lastly, the availability of audio and subtitles in English and Regional Language.

The contents of OTT Platform are available or accessible in any device available to you. To Point out devices like Mobile Phone, Laptop, Desktop, Smart TV, Chrome Cast etc. It is accessible anytime and anywhere, just you have to subscribe to the platform and download the OTT App.

Comparison of watching movies in multiplex vs in OTT Platform.

I will provide below you a comparison table of Watching Movie in Multiplex vs OTT and Streaming Platform. By comparison, the data will speak.

Factors Watching Movie in Multiplex Watching Movie in OTT Platform
CostAvg. ₹500-₹750 (Ticket+Transporation +Snacks) for 1 movieFree to ₹ 799/month for lakhs of movies. Only you have pay for a fast data pack.
ContentOnly 1 movie.Thousand of movies, TV Shows, videos, music album
TimeFinish the whole movie in one sitting at one place. Pause, Play and Repeat the movie anytime and anywhere. Even if you don’t like the movie to skip to the next movie.
OTT Apps in India (2020) [Best Top 10]

Contents available in OTT Platform.

Unquestionably, you will get thousands of contents in OTT and Streaming Platform like

  • Movies – Hollywood, Bollywood, Regional Movies with Subtitles, Othe Countries Films.
  • TV Channels.
  • TV Shows
  • Live Sporting Events.
  • Series
  • Music
  • Live Streaming Videos
  • YouTube Videos
  • OTT Platform Original Contents.

Now let us come to our topic of discussion and I reveal below the Best OTT and Streaming Platform of Assam in 2020.

Click Here to see Price Comparision of the Best OTT Apps in India (2020)

Best OTT Platform in India (2020)

1. Hotstar (Disney+ Hotstar)

ott platform hotstar

Coupled with a share of nearly 45% of Indian Smartphone with the OTT App and 80 Lakhs subscriber base, it is one of the most popular and best OTT Platform in India It is owned by Star India Private Limited and now is it acquired by Disney. So, Hotstar is rebranded as Diseny+ Hostar. It has highly evolved video streaming technology that especially ensures the best possible video quality is played back automatically based on the available bandwidth. Therefore, making it a great video experience on both mobile networks as well as WiFi internet connections for the people of India. It has quality content and in addition to Disney+ content, it has made the best OTT platform in India.

Basic Info

MAU: 30 CroresLaunched: February 2015
Owner: Star India Pvt. Ltd.URL: www.hotstar.com
Hours of Content: 1 Lakh HourPlatform: Android, iOS, Smart TV, Web
Content Language: 8 LanguagesFree Content: Yes

Pricing

  • Free (with Ads) – Most of the content is free.
  • Premium Subscription
    • 1. Monthly – ₹ 299/month (Non-refundable)
    • 2. Yearly – ₹ 1499/year ( Non-refundable )

Contents

  • TV Channels (Star Network)
  • Movies (including 7 regional languages)
  • Sports ( famous for streaming live IPL)
  • Live News Channel
  • Diseney+ Contents (Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars & National Geographic)

Special Feature

  • Firstly, it has Seamless Video Playback 
  • Secondly, its Smart Search and Recommendation Feature.
  • Thirdly, it has a friendly User Interface
  • Fourthly, it has a hot content catalog and Originals.
  • Lastly, it has we can access it from many devices.

Top Best Series and Movies in Hotstar (Disney+ Hotstar)

2. Amazon Prime Video

ott platform amazon prime video

Amazon Prime Video is the popular OTT Platform in India. Amazon Prime Video comes as part of the Amazon Prime subscription in India as well as in other countries. This also includes shopping benefits such as free shipping for many orders and early access to deals, as well as Amazon Prime Music streaming, Prime Reading ebooks and Gaming. Most importantly, all the entire catalogs of contents are available for all users of Amazon Prime. Above all, there are no other tiers of subscription. On the positive side, it will roll out a cluster if regional originals to attract the diverse set of Indian audiences. In fact, it is one of the best OTT Platforms in India for diverse and quality regional content.

Basic Info

MAU:1.34 CroresLaunched: December 2016.
Owner: AmazonURL: www.primevideo.com
Hours of Content:50,000 hoursPlatform: Android, iOS, Smart TV, Web
Content Language:10 language Free Content: No

Pricing

(Additionally, it includes Amazon Prime Delivery, Prime Music, Prime Gaming, Prime Reading)

  • Free Trial (30 days)
  • Monthly – ₹ 129/month
  • Yearly
    • Student Plan – ₹ 499/month
    • Normal Plan – ₹ 999/month

Contents

  • TV Shows (Hindi and English).
  • Movies (English, Hindi Dubbed, 9 regional languages).
  • Kids Content.
  • Old Classic Movies.

Special Feature

  • Firstly, it hosts the World Premiere of a new movie.
  • Secondly, it has its own production content Amazon Originals Shows and Movies
  • Thirdly, Amazon Prime subscription includes other services like Prime Fast Delivery, Prime Music, Prime Gaming, Prime Reading.
  • Fourthly, Regional and Dubbed Movie with subtitles.
  • Lastly, 6 different user profiles created within a single Amazon Prime Account.

Top Best Series and Movies in Amazon Prime Video

3. Zee5

ott platform zee5

ZEE5 is an Indian OTT Platform Providers in India run by Essel Group via its subsidiary Zee Entertainment Enterprises. It has one of the highest user bases with 5.6 crore subscriber because it provides 12 languages. Apart from English and Hindi content, it has Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya, Bhojpuri, Gujarati & Punjabi regional content. Moreover, it provides 90+ Live TV Channels, children’s programs and also its own production shows (Zee5 Orginals). The OTT Platform of Zee5 has a comfortable and friendly user-friendly software along with highly evolved video streaming technology at an amazing speed and crystal clear sounds. It also provides the content to other OTT Platforms in India.

Basic Info

MAU: 7.64 Crores.Launched: February 2018
Owner: Essel GroupURL: www.zee5.com
Hours of Content: 1.25 lakh hoursPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TV
Content Language: 12 languages Free Content: Yes

Pricing

  • Free (Most contents are free)
  • Monthly – ₹ 99/month
  • Half-Yearly – ₹ 599/half-yearly
  • Annually- ₹ 999/year

Content

  • Live TV Channel (90+)
  • Zee Originals Shows and Movies.
  • Children’s Programme
  • Short Series and Acclaimed Plays
  • Music Videos
  • News Stories
  • Games

Special Feature

  • Firstly, it has evolved video streaming technology 
  • Secondly, it has a Language Navigation.
  • Thirdly, it has Seamless Video playback.
  • Fourthly, it gives Smart Content Search & Recommendation
  • Lastly, it has Catch Up TV.

Top Best Series and Movies in Zee5

4. ALT Balaji

ott platform altbalaji

ALT Balaji is an OTT Platform and also OTT Service provider in India that offer fresh, original and exclusive content. It has many premium, high quality shows featuring popular celebrities, acclaimed writers, and award-winning directors. Along with different regional language content it has content from genres ranging from thrillers, mystery and crime to drama, comedy and romance. ALTBalaji has shows for everyone, from college going youngsters to professionals with families.

Basic Info

MAU: 2.7 CroresLaunched: April 2017
Owner: Balaji Telefilms LimitedURL: www.altbalaji.com
Hours of Content:10,000 hoursPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TV
Content Language: 3 languages Free Content: Yes

Pricing

  • Free
  • Quarterly (3 Months)- ₹ 100/quarterly.
  • Annually – ₹ 300/yearly.

Content Available

  • Web Series and TV Shows
  • Movies
  • Music Videos
  • Comedy
  • Kids Orginal Shows

Special Feature

  • Firstly, you can access the contents of ALT Balaji across 32 different devices.
  • Secondly, it has strong content library with 60 originals.
  • Lastly, it offers fresh, original and desi content stories and shows for all categories of audience.

Top Best Series and Movies in ALTBalaji

5. Netflix

ott platform netflix

Netflix is the best OTT Platform in India for English Contents. Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with 183 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Basic Info

MAU: 1.58 CroresLaunched: January 2016
Owner: Public (Reed Hastings)URL: www.netflix.com
Hours of Content: 36,000 hoursPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TV
Content Language: 10 language Free Content: No

Pricing

  • Trial Offer – 1 month Trial Offer for ₹ 5
  • Mobile Only Plan
    • ₹ 199/month
    • 1 screen at a time.
    • For mobile only.
    • Only SD resolution.
  • Basic Plan
    • ₹ 499/month
    • 1 screen at a time.
    • For all devices.
    • Both SD and HD Resolution.
  • Standard Plan
    • ₹ 649/month.
    • 2 screens at a time.
    • For all devices.
    • Both SD and HD Resolution.
  • Premium Plan
    • ₹ 799/month.
    • 4 screens at a time.
    • For all devices.
    • Both SD and HD Resolution.

Content Available

  • Hindi Web Series (Netflix Originals)
  • English TV Shows and Web Series
  • English Movies
  • Top Best Assamese Films
  • Hindi Movies

Special Feature

  • Firstly, Netflix is known for its own production original content.
  • Secondly, it supports almost all the device on the planet smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, Chromecast, Apple TV, Blu-ray players and more.
  • Thirdly, you can download shows and movies to watch offline.
  • Fourthly, it has Parental Control settings.
  • Lastly, most of the Assamese Movies and other Regional

Top Best Series and Movies in Netflix

6. MX Player

ott platform mx player

MX player is one of the Best OTT Platform in India for free content. MX Player is a mobile video player app and also an OTT App created by J2 Interactive which is a South Korean Company. MX Player as a video player was launched in 2011 and later in 2019, it was bought by Times Internet, the digital media division of Times Group. Eventually, MX Player was launched as an OTT App in India in addition to Media Player. It provides thousands of hours of premium, exclusive and original content from leading Producer and from the best OTT Platform Provider like Zee5, Erosnow, Hoichoi, SunNXT, etc. It has also produced its own shows in the name of MX Original.

Basic Info

MAU: 32 crores.Launched: February 2019
Owner: Times InternetURL: www.mxplayer.in
Hours of Content: 1,50,000 hoursPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TV
Content Language: 12 languages Free Content: Yes

MX Player is 100% Free

Pricing

All the contents of MX Player are 100% free, only you have to install MX Player on your mobile.

Content Available.

  • Web Shows (MX Originals, Hindi and Regional)
  • Korean Drama Shows (Hindi Dubbed)
  • Movies (Hindi, English – Hindi Dubbed, Korean-Hindi Dubbed and Regional Movies)
  • 94 nos Live TV Channels
  • News Stories
  • Music Video
  • Sports Video

Special Feature

  • Firstly, all the contents are absolutely free.
  • Secondly, it has Korean Drama Shows dubbed in Hindi.
  • Thirdly, it is an OTT App as well as Media Player App that any video format in the world.
  • Lastly, the User Interface is great.

Top Best Series and Movies in MX Player.

7. Eros Now

ott platform erosnow

Eros Now is one of best OTT Platform in India with 80 lakhs active subscribers. It has the biggest catalog of movies & music in several languages including Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati and Bengali. You can watch Bollywood and regional Indian movies, TV shows, Eros Now Originals, Music and Music Videos anytime, anywhere that too in HD. It also provides access to news and content of Indian Movie Stars. It is also one of Indian OTT platform providers where it provides contents to different OTT App.

Basic Info

MAU: 1.66 CroresLaunched: 2012
Owner: Eros InternationalURL: www.erosnow.com
Hours of Content: 25,000 hours.Platform: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TV
Content Language:10 languages. Free Content: Yes

Pricing

  • Free – Some of the content is free.
  • Monthly – ₹ 49/month
  • Quarterly – ₹ 79 /month
  • Annually – ₹ 399 /month

Content Available

  • Movies (English, Hindi, Regional Movies)
  • 3 Nos of Live TV
  • Music and Music Videos
  • Erosnow Original Shows
  • Erosnow Qickie – Short Format Video.

Special Feature

  • Firstly, it has over 12,000 digital titles.
  • Secondly, it has 2.5 lakhs Music Tracks.
  • Thirdly, it has international Shows aired on Hum TV and ARY TV.
  • Lastly, it has a Live TV Channel – Fashion TV.

Top Best Series and Movies in Erosnow

8. Voot

ott platform voot

Voot is one of the oldest and popular OTT Platforms in India from Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd. that provides the content to all types of users. With 5 crores plus active subscribers and over 60,000 hours of Indian content, it is going to be the largest OTT Platform in India for the year 2020. It provides content in multiple regional languages such as Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Bengali and Gujrati. Also, there are much original content, blockbuster movies and a range of content for kids along with well-known TV channels including MTV, Nickelodeon, and Colors.

Basic Info

MAU: 10 CroresLaunched: March 2016
Owner: Viacom 18URL: www.voot.com
Hours of Content:60,000 hoursPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TV ,JioPhone
Content Language: 7 language Free Content: Yes

Pricing

  • Free with Ads
  • Monthly – ₹ 99/month (1 Screen)
  • Annualy- ₹ 499 (1 Screen)

Content Available

  • TV and Web Shows
  • Movies
  • Live TV Channels of Viacom 19 (MTV, Colors, Nickelodon, etc)
  • News Channel (News 18 Network)
  • Music Videos
  • Children Toons

Special Feature

  • Firstly, it supports Chromecast
  • Secondly, it has Channel-wise Discovery
  • Thirdly, it has filters like Language and Genre Sorting
  • Lastly, Voot Originals are popular and has good shows.

Top Best Series and Movies in Voot.

9. Jio Platform (Jio TV & Jio Cinema)

ott platform jiocinema

Jio TV along with Jio Cinema is the largest OTT Platform in India because of its subscriber of nearly 39 crores. By default, all the users of Jio Sim and Jio Phone are the subscriber. Jio TV has all the channels except for some channels. Jio Cinema has Movies, TV Shows, music videos, Jio shorts, Documentaries and Trailers ranging from Hollywood to almost all regional language. You can watch movies and TV Shows across any of your devices from where you last paused on any other device along with the watch list feature. With the Download’ feature in Jio Cinema you can watch movies offline, while travelling. JioCinema’s OTT app and Jio TV app is awesome where you see up to 7 days prior content of TV Channels.

Basic Info

MAU: 10.4 CroresLaunched: Decemeber 2015
Owner: Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd.URL: www.jiocinema.com
Hours of Content: 1 lakhs hoursPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TV, Jio Phone
Content Language: 15 language Free Content: Yes

Pricing

100% Free if you have Jio Sim or Jio Phone.

Content Available

  • Live Sports
  • TV Channels (575 + Channels)
  • Movies
  • News
  • Music Videos

Special Feature

  • Firstly, it has instant access to 600+ channels in 15+ languages.
  • Secondly, TV Channels have 7 days catchup-service.
  • Thirdly, most of the content has multiple Audio and Subtitles.
  • Lastly, it supports Voice Search.

Top Best Series and Movies in Jio Platform.

10. Sony LIV

ott platform sonyliv

Sony LIV is the oldest OTT Platform in India owned by Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited. It was launched in 2013 and with a user base of nearly 7 crores, it is one of the best OTT Platforms in India. It is famous for live streaming of cricket, FIFA World Cup and other sporting events. It also provides rich array of Movies, TV Shows, Muisc, Kids Programme and Fitness videos. Sony LIV is known to be the first-ever original show exclusively for the online platform-LoveBytes.

Basic Info

MAU: 6.5 CroresLaunched: January 2013
Owner: Sony Pictures Networks IndiaURL: www.sonyliv.com
Hours of Content: 50,000 hoursPlatform: Android, iOS, Web, Smart TV
Content Language: Free Content: Yes

Pricing

  • Free
  • Monthly – ₹ 99/month
  • Half-Yearly – ₹299/half-yearly
  • Annualy- ₹ 499/annualy

Content Available

  • Live TV Channels (Sony Network Channels)
  • Movies (Bollywood and Hollywood)
  • TV Shows
  • Sony LIV Original Shows
  • Kids (including Nursery Rhymes)
  • LIVE Sports
  • Music
  • LIVFIT – Fitness videos

Special Feature

  • Firstly, it has 700+ Bollywood and Hollywood Movies
  • Secondly, it has 40,000+ hours of TV Shows and Web Series
  • Thirdly, it has Fitness Video, Zumba, Yoga, etc
  • Lastly, we can download Videos and watch it offline.

Top Best Series and Movies in Sony LIV

Final Verdict

We have seen almost all the OTT Platforms in India provide free content to the user except Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. MX Player and Jio Apps (JioCinema and JioTV) provide all of its content free. If you are a Hollywood series and movies buff, go for Netflix but it’s going to burn a hole in your pocket. If you are a fan of Hindi Web Series, go for Hotstar, Zee5 and Voot. Amazon Prime Video provides around entertainment ranging from English Series and Movies to Regional Content especially South Indian. Moreover, if you are a fan of Korean Drama Serie, go for MX Player and JioCinema. For Live TV Channels, JioTV is best followed by Hotstar, Sony LIV and Zee5. To watch live sporting events you can watch it on JioTV, Hotstar and Sony LIV. Finally, the decision is up to you.

Terms Used

  • MAU- Monthy Active Users (Numbers of unique users to use OTT App in a month)

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