Live Streaming has become one of the latest trends when interacting with your followers. It is very engaging and has been shown to increase your following substantially. We battle out Periscope vs Facebook Live to see which of these two most popular streaming services you should use. We will take a look at the differences between the two platforms and see which one fits you best.
Integration
Facebook Live Video is integrated into the existing Facebook app. It can be initiated by sharing a status update and choosing the Live option. Meanwhile, Periscope is a separate app from Twitter. You will need to download the Periscope app even if you have the Twitter app installed.
Bottom line:
- Facebook Live is an embedded feature in the Facebook app.
- Persiscope is a separate app to Twitter.
Notifications
When you start a live stream, Facebook automatically notifies your friends when you are broadcasting. This is convenient because it avoids you having to tell your friends that you are going live. Depending on privacy, Facebook also allows your viewers to invite their friends to join the watch party. On the other hand, Periscope also alerts the people about your stream when it’s happening, but only to your followers. However, Periscope allows you to pre-set your viewers before starting a live stream.
Bottom line:
- Facebook live stream notifications are sent to ALL your friends.
- Allows viewers to invite other friends to join.
- Periscope live stream notifications are sent ONLY to your followers.
Storage
When a live stream is over, Facebook lets your Facebook friends replay your video permanently from your timeline. However, both allow you to save the video to your phone’s camera roll. In contrast, Periscope only keeps your stream up for 24 hours after your broadcast ends. Periscope is more focused on the real-time feed aspect whereas Facebook appreciates that friends may want to re-watch or not miss out on their friend’s videos.
Bottom line:
- In Facebook, your video remains on your feed forever for your friends to view.
- Periscope only lets you keep it on your feed for 24 hours
Privacy
Facebook lets you set the privacy of your video so that you can optionally filter out your audience. However, Periscope broadcasts to your Periscope and Twitter followers. So if you have a public account, that video can be viewed by anyone.
Bottom line:
- Facebook Live allows for privacy settings
- Periscope does not have any privacy features if your account is public.
UI Features
Periscope vs Facebook Live comes at a tie in this section. Both allow you to name and describe your broadcast before starting your stream. Additionally, both services give you the ability to tag your followers or friends in the title itself. However, there are other factors that are different on both platforms:
Preparation before starting
Facebook gives you a 3-second window when you hit the Go Live Button. This is adequate time to prepare yourself for your broadcast. On the other hand, Periscope starts streaming the second you hit the start.
During streaming
With Facebook, the screen is divided in half with the bottom half of the screen reserved for comments from your viewers. On the contrary, Periscope makes use of the full screen and the comments pop up at the top of your video. Due to the layout, Facebook only allows for a squarish video which will look the same even if the phone is held in portrait or landscape mode. In contrast, Periscope has support for both orientations. Periscope also detects when your camera is in portrait or landscape mode automatically and adjusts the stream accordingly. Additionally, one of the latest features that both platforms offer is a 360 view angle when live streaming videos.
Camera switch mode
Both services offer the functionality to switch between the front and rear (or external) camera. Facebook has a switch camera button at the top-right corner while in Periscope all you have to do is double-tap the screen. Still, Periscope’s UI is more intuitive since it is a little easier to double-tap than aim for a small icon when you are attempting to hold your phone up and record.
Comments
Facebook takes the winning round here. Whereas Periscope lets you send multiple hearts during your stream, Facebook users can like your video the same way they like any content on your Facebook feed. These likes also remain visible after the live feed has ended. So while you can like your friends’ comments on Facebook for your video, you cannot do the same on Periscope.
Playback UI
If you choose to playback your video, Periscope will show you the comments and hearts as they were posted at the time of recording. On the other hand, when Facebook presents your recorded video, it presents it like any other video. This means it will give you the ability to use the usual social engagements such as like, comment, share and save. Unlike Periscope, Facebook does not display the comments during the playback of the video unless it’s posted to your timeline.
Filters and effects
Once you go live on Facebook you can add filters and effects to your face or on the screen. There’s also a button to enhance the lighting. The same cannot be said for Periscope.
Bottom line:
- Facebook allows you a 3-second window before broadcasting while Periscope starts immediately
- Periscope allows for better screen view during stream play. Orientation can be set to portrait and landscape for both but only makes a difference in Periscope.
- Camera switch mode is accessible more easily in Periscope.
- Facebook allows for likes in comments while Periscope doesn’t.
- Periscope allows the display of comments and likes during playback by default.
- Facebook lets you apply filters and effects in real-time.
Analytics
Once you’ve ended your broadcast, both apps offer you analytical information of your audience and video.
With regards to Facebook, you are shown the total number of viewers you had and lets you check who some of those viewers were.
In contrast, Periscope adds much more information. Periscope shows you a list of statistics including the following:
- Total number of viewers
- Retention percentage – Viewers who stayed throughout the video vs a total number of viewers.
- The number of time people watched
- Displays a list for each user
- The number of replays
Bottom line
- Facebook allows for limited analytical stats such as a total number of viewers and allows you to check who some of those viewers are.
- Periscope allows a broad range of stats without any limitations.
Final thoughts and Recommendations
We hope that this has helped you decide between Periscope vs Facebook Live. In the end, its ultimately up to you to see what works best for you. Periscope and Facebook are both easily accessible and have an intuitive user interface but their major differences can prove helpful when it comes to deciding what matters most when streaming live.
Veteran content writer with focus on Technology and SEO.
