--- title: "What Is a Streaming Protocol? Definition and Examples" description: "A streaming protocol is the set of rules for moving video between an encoder, a server and a player. See the main protocols and where each is used." url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/streaming-protocol" markdown_url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/streaming-protocol.md" category: "Streaming technology" updated: "2026-10-05" --- # What is a streaming protocol? A streaming protocol is a set of rules for how video and audio are transmitted over a network between a source, a server and a player. Different protocols are used for sending a live feed to a platform and for delivering video to viewers. ## Two jobs: contribution and delivery Contribution, also called ingest, is the first mile: one stream from an encoder to the platform. It needs low delay and resilience on a single connection. Delivery is the last mile: the same stream to thousands or millions of viewers. It needs to scale through CDNs and adapt to each viewer's connection. ## Contribution protocols - RTMP: the long-standing default, supported by every encoder - SRT: resilient over unreliable networks, with built-in encryption - RIST: a standardized alternative to SRT, used in broadcast - WebRTC (WHIP): very low delay ingest from browsers and newer encoders ## Delivery protocols - HLS: segment-based, works everywhere, required for Apple devices - MPEG-DASH: segment-based open standard, common on Android and smart TVs - Low-Latency HLS and low-latency DASH: the same protocols tuned for a delay of a few seconds - WebRTC: sub-second delivery for interactive uses, harder and costlier to scale ## How to think about the choice On a managed platform the delivery protocol is chosen for you per device, and the only decision is how your encoder sends the feed. Where a choice exists, it is a balance of three things: delay, reach across devices, and cost at scale. Segment-based delivery over HTTP wins on reach and cost, which is why it carries nearly all streaming video; real-time protocols win on delay. ## Streaming protocol on RentAnOTT RentAnOTT packages and delivers live and on-demand video to its web, mobile and TV apps for you. For the most widely used delivery protocol, see the HLS entry. [Read about HLS](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/hls). ## Related terms - [HLS](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/hls) — HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is a streaming protocol created by Apple that delivers video as a series of short segments over ordinary web servers, listed in playlist files with the .m3u8 extension. It is the most widely supported way to stream both live and on-demand video. - [MPEG-DASH](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/mpeg-dash) — MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) is an international standard for adaptive bitrate streaming. Like HLS, it delivers video as short segments over ordinary web servers, described by a manifest file, here called an MPD. - [RTMP](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/rtmp) — RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) is a protocol for sending live video and audio over the internet with low delay. It was created for Flash video and is now used mainly for contribution: carrying a live feed from an encoder to a streaming platform. - [Low-latency streaming](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/low-latency-streaming) — Low-latency streaming is live streaming configured so that the delay between something happening in front of the camera and appearing on the viewer's screen is a few seconds, instead of the 10 to 30 seconds typical of standard internet streaming. - [Adaptive bitrate streaming](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/adaptive-bitrate-streaming) — Adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR) is a delivery method in which a video is encoded at several quality levels and the player switches between them during playback, choosing the highest quality the viewer's connection can sustain without stalling. ## Further reading - [Choosing a live streaming player](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs/live-streaming-player) - [Features](https://www.rentanott.com/features) - [Video bitrate calculator](https://www.rentanott.com/tools/video-bitrate-calculator) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the most common streaming protocol? HLS for delivery to viewers and RTMP for sending live feeds to a platform. ### Is a protocol the same as a codec? No. A codec compresses the video. A protocol transports it. H.264 video can travel over RTMP, HLS or DASH. ### Which protocol has the lowest latency? WebRTC, at under a second. Low-latency HLS and DASH reach a few seconds while keeping the scale and cost of ordinary streaming. All 163 terms: [Streaming and OTT glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary). ## Book a demo Tell RentAnOTT what you are launching. The team walks through the platform and maps the path to go-live around your catalog, markets and revenue model. Book a demo: https://www.rentanott.com/contact ## More from RentAnOTT - [Home](https://www.rentanott.com/index.md) — What RentAnOTT is, what every plan includes, and how launch works - [Features](https://www.rentanott.com/features.md) — Every core feature and optional add-on - [Pricing](https://www.rentanott.com/pricing.md) — Platform tiers, apps, add-ons, usage rates and example bills in INR and USD - [Free tools](https://www.rentanott.com/tools.md) — OTT app builder and calculators for streaming revenue, bandwidth, bitrate and pricing - [Insights](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs.md) — All streaming business articles - [Glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary.md) — Definitions of streaming and OTT terms - [Book a demo](https://www.rentanott.com/contact.md) — Talk to RentAnOTT about your launch Full site in one file: https://www.rentanott.com/llms-full.txt