Learn how Mux Video pricing works and what levers and modifiers there are for you to control costs.
Mux pricing is split up into three categories: encoding, storage, and delivery. In other words, you're charged by how much video you upload every month, how much video you store every month, and how much video your users stream every month.
As you read, keep your eye out for what we call "pricing levers": ways you can suit your costs to your use case. For example, we offer discounts based on volume and resolution. More on those near the end.
Finally, Mux charges by minute of video encoded, stored, and delivered. Learn more about why we charge in minutes instead of bytes.
Let's get started by talking about the first category of pricing: Encoding.
If you find yourself with higher usage than the tiers described below, we'd love to talk to you about how we can customize your pricing.
Videos can come in all sorts of different formats, containers, codecs, or countless other variations. When a video is uploaded to Mux, we process it and create a high-quality, standardized version of the video through a process called "encoding." We use that standardized version to deliver any number of bitrates and resolutions based on the viewer's needs, but more on that later.
Mux supports a configurable video quality level on each asset, with three levels, basic, plus, and premium.
The basic (formerly known as baseline) video quality level uses a reduced encoding ladder, with a lower target video quality, suitable for simpler video use cases. There is no charge for video encoding when using basic quality. Basic assets are optimized for video use cases with simpler streaming needs, such as user-generated content, where high encoding costs may limit your business model.
The plus (formerly known as smart) video quality level encodes your video at a consistent high-quality level. Assets encoded with the plus quality use an AI-powered per-title encoding technology that boosts bitrates for high-complexity content, ensuring high-quality video, while reducing bitrates for lower-complexity content to save bandwidth without sacrificing on quality. The plus quality level incurs a cost per video minute of encoding.
The premium video quality level uses the same AI-powered per-title encoding technology as plus, but is tuned to optimize for the presentation of premium media content, where the highest video quality is required, including use cases like live sports, or studio movies. The premium quality level incurs a higher cost per video minute of encoding.
Live Streams are not available with the basic video quality level; Mux only supports plus and premium video quality levels for Live Streams.
The default video quality level for assets in new accounts is basic. You can configure your organization's default video quality level in the Settings pane in the dashboard, or after confirming the payment method when you change your plan. This configuration option is only available to account admins. You can also override the default video quality level on a per-asset basis at the time of asset creation.
Learn more about setting video quality levels.
Mux charges by minute of video encoded.
Learn more about setting video quality levels.
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p |
|---|---|---|
| All volumes | Free | Free |
Basic quality level assets are currently limited to a maximum resolution of 1080p.
Learn more about setting video quality levels.
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p | 1440p (2K) | 2160p (4K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 5,000 minutes | $0.032 / minute | $0.040 / minute | $0.060 / minute | $0.12 / minute |
| Next 10,000 minutes | $0.0304 / minute | $0.038 / minute | $0.057 / minute | $0.114 / minute |
| Next 10,000 minutes | $0.0296 / minute | $0.037 / minute | $0.0555 / minute | $0.111 / minute |
| Over 25,000 minutes | $0.0288 / minute | $0.036 / minute | $0.054 / minute | $0.108 / minute |
Learn more about setting video quality levels.
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p | 1440p (2K) | 2160p (4K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 5,000 minutes | $0.0480 / minute | $0.060 / minute | $0.090 / minute | $0.180 / minute |
| Next 10,000 minutes | $0.0456 / minute | $0.057 / minute | $0.0855 / minute | $0.171 / minute |
| Next 10,000 minutes | $0.0444 / minute | $0.0555 / minute | $0.08325 / minute | $0.1665 / minute |
| Over 25,000 minutes | $0.0432 / minute | $0.054 / minute | $0.081 / minute | $0.162 / minute |
Any video that is live-streamed through Mux will have the choice to use the plus or premium quality level. Mux offers live steaming up to 1080p.
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p |
|---|---|---|
| First 5,000 minutes | $0.032 / minute | $0.040 / minute |
| Next 10,000 minutes | $0.0304 / minute | $0.038 / minute |
| Next 10,000 minutes | $0.0296 / minute | $0.037 / minute |
| Over 25,000 minutes | $0.0288 / minute | $0.036 / minute |
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p |
|---|---|---|
| First 5,000 minutes | $0.048 / minute | $0.060 / minute |
| Next 10,000 minutes | $0.0456 / minute | $0.057 / minute |
| Next 10,000 minutes | $0.0444 / minute | $0.0555 / minute |
| Over 25,000 minutes | $0.0432 / minute | $0.054 / minute |
When we talked about encoding, we mentioned that Mux creates a single, high-quality, standardized version of each video. That encoding step is when most traditional video solutions or providers will create all the different versions of your video for streaming to different devices, which means storing all those different versions indefinitely. Mux, on the other hand, only creates and stores one version of your video because Mux is able to deliver the right versions of the video when your viewers need it.
With Automatic Cold Storage, Mux automatically applies discounts to infrequently accessed assets.
Storage is calculated by minute of video stored. Storage is prorated by the percentage of the month that the video is stored. For example, if a 10-minute asset is stored for only half a month, you will be charged for only 5 minutes.
The cost of video storage also includes the storage of primary audio, metadata, and captions. When you pay for the storage of a video, you can also transcode or transmux to normalize inputs, create metadata or thumbnails, and access it in the dashboard or through the API.
Basic quality level assets have a minimum storage charge of one month and are prorated thereafter.
Learn more about setting video quality levels.
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p |
|---|---|---|
| First 50,000 minutes | $0.0030 / minute | $0.0040 / minute |
| Next 100,000 minutes | $0.0029 / minute | $0.00363 / minute |
| Next 100,000 minutes | $0.00285 / minute | $0.00356 / minute |
| Over 250,000 minutes | $0.0026 / minute | $0.0034 / minute |
Basic quality level assets are currently limited to a maximum resolution of 1080p.
Learn more about setting video quality levels.
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p | 1440p (2K) | 2160p (4K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 50,000 minutes | $0.0024 / minute | $0.0030 / minute | $0.0045 / minute | $0.0090 / minute |
| Next 100,000 minutes | $0.00232 / minute | $0.0029 / minute | $0.00435 / minute | $0.0087 / minute |
| Next 100,000 minutes | $0.00228 / minute | $0.00285 / minute | $0.0043 / minute | $0.00855 / minute |
| Over 250,000 minutes | $0.00224 / minute | $0.0028 / minute | $0.0042 / minute | $0.0084 / minute |
Learn more about setting video quality levels.
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p | 1440p (2K) | 2160p (4K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 50,000 minutes | $0.0036 / minute | $0.0045 / minute | $0.00675 / minute | $0.0135 / minute |
| Next 100,000 minutes | $0.00348 / minute | $0.00435 / minute | $0.006525 / minute | $0.01305 / minute |
| Next 100,000 minutes | $0.00342 / minute | $0.004275 / minute | $0.00645 / minute | $0.012825 / minute |
| Over 250,000 minutes | $0.00336 / minute | $0.0042 / minute | $0.0063 / minute | $0.0126 / minute |
Mux Live Streams have the choice to use the plus or premium quality level. Mux offers live steaming up to 1080p.
Mux will automatically start creating an on-demand asset in the background when you begin broadcasting to your live stream. These assets are created and stored as assets with the video quality level you chose for encoding.
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p |
|---|---|---|
| First 50,000 minutes | $0.0024 / minute | $0.0030 / minute |
| Next 100,000 minutes | $0.00232 / minute | $0.0029 / minute |
| Next 100,000 minutes | $0.00228 / minute | $0.00285 / minute |
| Over 250,000 minutes | $0.00224 / minute | $0.0028 / minute |
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p |
|---|---|---|
| First 50,000 minutes | $0.0036 / minute | $0.0045 / minute |
| Next 100,000 minutes | $0.00348 / minute | $0.00435 / minute |
| Next 100,000 minutes | $0.00342 / minute | $0.004275 / minute |
| Over 250,000 minutes | $0.00336 / minute | $0.0042 / minute |
With Automatic Cold Storage, we programmatically transition a video or audio-only asset to a different storage level based on how long it has been since it was last viewed. The colder the asset gets, the lower the billing rate becomes.
Assets must have MP4 renditions disabled to qualify for Automatic Cold Storage.
An asset transitions to Infrequent if it has not been played in the last 30 days, and will receive a 40% discount off of the applicable usage-based rate.
An asset transitions to Cold if it has not been played in the last 90 days, and will receive a 60% discount off of the applicable usage-based rate.
Some assets in Infrequent or Cold may experience startup times in the single-digit seconds, impacting their Video Startup Time and Quality of Experience (QoE) scores. The majority of assets in Infrequent or Cold will see minimal to no change in Video Startup Time.
We suggest enabling Mux Data to monitor QoE; Mux Data is included for free for Mux assets.
Note: Downloading a master of an asset in infrequent or cold storage will cause the asset to be returned to the frequent storage class, and the cold storage timer to be reset.
| Asset last viewed | Storage tier | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p | Audio-only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30+ days ago | Infrequent | $0.0018 / minute | $0.0024 / minute | $0.00024 / minute |
| 90+ days ago | Cold | $0.0012 / minute | $0.0016 / minute | $0.00016 / minute |
| Asset last viewed | Storage tier | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p | 1440p (2K) | 2160p (4K) | Audio-only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30+ days ago | Infrequent | $0.00144 / minute | $0.0018 / minute | $0.0027 / minute | $0.0054 / minute | $0.00018 / minute |
| 90+ days ago | Cold | $0.00096 / minute | $0.0012 / minute | $0.0018 / minute | $0.0036 / minute | $0.00012 / minute |
| Asset last viewed | Storage tier | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p | 1440p (2K) | 2160p (4K) | Audio-only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30+ days ago | Infrequent | $0.00216 / minute | $0.0027 / minute | $0.00405 / minute | $0.0081 / minute | $0.00018 / minute |
| 90+ days ago | Cold | $0.00144 / minute | $0.0018 / minute | $0.0027 / minute | $0.0054 / minute | $0.00012 / minute |
When someone wants to watch a video on Mux, we use a process called “just-in-time transcoding,” where we turn that standard, single video file into any number of bitrates and resolutions based on the viewer's needs. This process happens instantly.
In order to deliver video, Mux partners with multiple CDNs. Videos are delivered over HTTP-based streaming formats like HLS. Video can be delivered to all major video players. If you're looking for a place to start with players, we suggest Mux Player. Mux Data is included with delivery, giving you the ability to monitor your video, including user engagement and quality of experience.
Cost is per minute of video delivered. To calculate video delivered, we measure the number of seconds of video delivered to a video player. Note that if a segment of video is delivered, it is charged, even if the viewer doesn't actually watch the video. For example, if a video player buffers 20 seconds of video ahead of the player, Mux Video still has to deliver those 20 seconds regardless of whether they are watched, and so those seconds are charged.
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p |
|---|---|---|
| First 500,000 minutes | $0.00096 / minute | $0.0012 / minute |
| Next 500,000 minutes | $0.00092 / minute | $0.00115 / minute |
| Next million minutes | $0.00088 / minute | $0.0011 / minute |
| Over 2 million minutes | $0.00080 / minute | $0.0010 / minute |
Basic quality level assets are currently limited to a maximum resolution of 1080p.
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p | 1440p (2K) | 2160p (4K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 500,000 minutes | $0.00096 / minute | $0.0012 / minute | $0.0018 / minute | $0.0036 / minute |
| Next 500,000 minutes | $0.00092 / minute | $0.00115 / minute | $0.00175 / minute | $0.00345 / minute |
| Next million minutes | $0.00088 / minute | $0.0011 / minute | $0.00165 / minute | $0.0033 / minute |
| Over 2 million minutes | $0.00080 / minute | $0.0010 / minute | $0.0015 / minute | $0.0030 / minute |
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p | 1440p (2K) | 2160p (4K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 500,000 minutes | $0.00144 / minute | $0.0018 / minute | $0.0027 / minute | $0.0054 / minute |
| Next 500,000 minutes | $0.00138 / minute | $0.001725 / minute | $0.002625 / minute | $0.005175 / minute |
| Next million minutes | $0.00132 / minute | $0.00165 / minute | $0.002475 / minute | $0.00495 / minute |
| Over 2 million minutes | $0.0012 / minute | $0.0015 / minute | $0.00225 / minute | $0.0045 / minute |
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p |
|---|---|---|
| First 500,000 minutes | $0.00096 / minute | $0.0012 / minute |
| Next 500,000 minutes | $0.00092 / minute | $0.00115 / minute |
| Next million minutes | $0.00088 / minute | $0.0011 / minute |
| Over 2 million minutes | $0.00080 / minute | $0.0010 / minute |
| Monthly volume tiers | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p |
|---|---|---|
| First 500,000 minutes | $0.00144 / minute | $0.0018 / minute |
| Next 500,000 minutes | $0.00138 / minute | $0.001725 / minute |
| Next million minutes | $0.00132 / minute | $0.00165 / minute |
| Over 2 million minutes | $0.0012 / minute | $0.0015 / minute |
Mux offers a few ways to suit your pricing to your use case: pricing levers you can pull to move our standard encoding, storage, and delivery pricing up and down, and add-ons you can use to do more with your assets.
The first pricing lever you should consider is video quality level. Whether you should pick basic, plus, or premium video quality depends on your streaming needs. Read more in the Encoding section.
Resolution-based pricing tiers are determined by the number of pixels in the video, calculated by multiplying height by width. Tiers apply to encoding, storage, and delivery. An asset may be delivered in multiple resolutions, in which case it will be billed based on minutes delivered in each resolution. Resolution-based discounts are automatically applied.
| Pricing tier | Pixels | Typical resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 720p | Up to 921,600 pixels | 1280×720 |
| 1080p | Up 921,601 to 2,073,600 pixels | 1920×1080 |
| 1440p (2K) | 2,073,601 to 4,194,304 pixels | 2560×1440 |
| 2160p (4K) | 4,194,305 to 8,294,400 pixels | 3840×2160 |
You can control what resolution gets played with playback modifiers.
2K and 4K resolutions are available for on-demand, plus quality level assets only.
You have a total of 300,000 stored minutes. They're broken down into the following:
With volume discounts automatically applied, your storage discounts would be applied like this:
For basic and plus level assets, on-demand audio-only assets are calculated at 1/10th the cost of 1080p video for encoding, storage, and delivery. The rate is based on the video quality level assigned to that asset (basic or plus).
For premium quality level assets, audio-only assets are charged at 1/10th the cost of plus assets for encoding, storage, and delivery.
6,000 minutes per month free. $0.024 per minute after.
Learn how to add auto-generated live captions.
$0.020 per minute per simulcast target.
Learn about simulcasting.
The primary audio track uploaded with your video file will be included with the encoding, storage, and delivery cost as part of your video. Any additional audio tracks uploaded will be charged at the audio-only rates for encoding, storage, and delivery.
Learn more about multi-track audio.
DRM is an add-on feature to Mux Video, with a starting price of $0.006 “per license”, and discounts available for high volumes. For the majority of customers, 1 video view is equivalent to 1 license. For customers who are licensing premium content in higher resolutions like 2K or 4K, a view may consume several licenses.
Learn more about DRM.
With Mux Starter you get $100 of monthly usage for $10 a month. You can use those $100 however you'd like across Mux products and features at the usage rates outlined above. You're billed at pay as you go rates for any usage above $100. API access, features, etc, are all the same otherwise.
You pay for the exact number of seconds of video. We don't have a minimum or round to the nearest minute.
No - if you encode a two-minute video, you pay for two minutes, even if Mux Video delivers that same video in 8 different formats or qualities.
Our engineers provide hands-on support via email and chat for everyone. We also offer support packages with Slack and phone support. Reach out to us for more information about support packages.
As a Mux Video user, Mux Data Startup plan is included. When you integrate Mux Data into your video player, you'll start getting engagement and QoE data for your videos.
Yes! Get in touch to find out more.
Yes! We do have custom plans that are well-suited for scaling and enterprise customers. These plans begin at $3,000/month. Get in touch to find out more.
MP4 downloads are available for basic, plus, and premium quality assets.
For basic video quality assets, we do charge for MP4 storage, but encoding is free.
The cost for each basic quality static rendition is as follows. The price is per minute of content, per static rendition, per month stored, and is based on the resolution of the static rendition.
| Static rendition resolution tier | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 720p | $0.00075 / minute |
| Up to 1080p | $0.001 / minute |
| Audio-only | $0.0001 / minute |
Note: Basic quality level MP4s have a minimum storage charge of one month and are prorated thereafter.
For all MP4s (basic, plus, or premium), each minute downloaded counts as a minute streamed and will be charged according to the video quality level. Learn more about cost of delivery.
Automatic cold storage is not available for assets with MP4 downloads enabled.
Learn more about enabling MP4 renditions.
Nope! At Mux, all live streamed video, whether it's standard or low latency, have the same pricing.