HLS hosting without running your own pipeline
Upload a source file and UFOLOAD turns it into an HLS stream: encoding, storage, signed links and delivery. Use the built-in player, or request a signed master playlist link through the API.
How HLS works here
Encoding is automatic
Accepted formats include MP4, MKV, AVI and WEBM. Files go through a queue; the status moves from uploading to queued, processing and ready, and you can poll it through the API.
Adaptive quality ladder
Paid plans get multiple renditions up to 4K, never above the quality of the source, so playback adapts to the viewer connection. The Free plan streams a single quality.
Signed playback links
The API issues a link to the HLS master playlist, plus poster and timeline sprite links. Lifetime is from 60 seconds to 30 days, and a link can be bound to an IP address or a cookie.
Direct links on paid plans
Pro and Max also get a direct download link and per-quality links. The Free plan is limited to HLS playback in the built-in player.
Edge delivery
Streams are delivered from a global network of edge locations, from the node nearest to each viewer.
Priority queue on paid plans
Paid plans encode in a priority queue, so new uploads become ready sooner when the queue is busy.
From upload to HLS link
- 1
Create an API key
Sign up, open the Developers section and create a key. Send it as a bearer token.
- 2
Upload or import
POST the file to /api/v1/files, or import it by URL with /api/v1/files/import.
- 3
Wait for ready
Poll GET /api/v1/files/{id} until the status is ready.
- 4
Request signed links
POST /api/v1/files/{id}/links and use the playback link, or embed the video with the built-in player.
Plans at a glance
Live numbers, the same ones that apply in your dashboard. Start free and upgrade when you need more.
Free
Free- 1 TB storage
- 500 GB traffic per month
- Video quality up to 720p
Pro
$129.99/mo- 10 TB storage
- 50 TB traffic per month
- Video quality up to 1080p
Max
$199.99/mo- 20 TB storage
- 100 TB traffic per month
- Video quality up to 4K, no plan cap
Full comparison, extra traffic and storage: Pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when encoding finishes?
An HLS stream you can play in the UFOLOAD player. Through the API you can issue a signed link to the master playlist, and on paid plans also direct links for each ready quality.
What is the highest quality?
The ladder goes up to 4K on plans that allow it, and never above the quality of your source. The top quality depends on your plan; see the Pricing page for the current limits.
How long do signed links last?
You choose the lifetime when you request links: from 60 seconds up to 30 days. A link can optionally be tied to one IP address or cookie.
Can I get direct MP4 links on the Free plan?
No. Direct file links and the download button are available on Pro and Max. On Free, videos play through HLS in the built-in player.
Does uploading the same file twice use more storage?
No. If the same content was already uploaded to your account, the existing file is returned and no extra storage is used.
Is there an OpenAPI description?
Yes. The documentation page links the OpenAPI specification in JSON and YAML, and an interactive sandbox.
Ready to try it?
Create an account and publish your first video in minutes. No payment is needed to start.