FFmpeg Micro vs Cloudflare Stream
Cloudflare Stream is a serverless video pipeline that handles encoding, storage, and delivery through Cloudflare's global CDN. FFmpeg Micro is a focused FFmpeg API you plug into automation tools like n8n, Make.com, or Zapier.
They solve different problems: Cloudflare Stream hosts and delivers your videos, while FFmpeg Micro transforms and processes them with full FFmpeg flexibility.
What each product does
- • Provides an FFmpeg-based API for video editing and transcoding
- • Supports custom FFmpeg commands, filters, and multi-video composition
- • Does not host or stream videos; works with your existing storage/CDN
- • Designed to plug into n8n, Make.com, Zapier, and custom backends
- • Serverless video pipeline: upload, encode, store, and deliver
- • Encoding is free; you pay for storage ($5/1k min) and delivery ($1/1k min)
- • Built-in adaptive bitrate streaming and embedded player
- • Deep integration with Cloudflare Workers and CDN
Pricing at a glance
| Component | FFmpeg Micro | Cloudflare Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Encoding | Included in plan | Free |
| Storage | 8-hour temp retention (auto-cleanup) | $5 per 1,000 min stored/month |
| Delivery | Download link (no CDN) | $1 per 1,000 min delivered |
| Monthly plans | Free (100 min), $19 (2k), $89 (12k), $349 (60k) | Pure pay-as-you-go, no tiers |
| 5,000 min/month example | $89 (Pro plan, processing only) | ~$30 (storage + delivery, hosting included) |
Cloudflare Stream is cheaper when you need hosting and delivery. FFmpeg Micro gives you full FFmpeg flexibility that Cloudflare Stream does not offer.
Key differences
- Full FFmpeg flexibility — pass any FFmpeg command, filter, or codec
- Multi-video composition — stitch, overlay, and mix multiple inputs
- Custom filters — color grading, LUTs, watermarks, audio mixing
- No vendor lock-in — standard FFmpeg, portable anywhere
- Predictable monthly pricing — fixed tiers, no usage surprises
- Free encoding — no cost to transcode
- Built-in hosting and CDN — global delivery included
- Adaptive bitrate streaming — HLS/DASH out of the box
- Embedded player — drop-in video player widget
- Cloudflare ecosystem — Workers, Access, CDN integration
When to choose FFmpeg Micro vs Cloudflare Stream
- You need custom FFmpeg operations beyond basic transcoding
- You stitch, overlay, or compose multiple videos together
- You build automation workflows in n8n, Make.com, or Zapier
- You already have your own hosting or CDN solution
- You want predictable monthly costs, not pay-per-use
- You need video hosting, storage, and delivery in one package
- Basic transcoding presets are sufficient for your needs
- You want a built-in player with adaptive streaming
- You are already in the Cloudflare ecosystem (Workers, CDN)
- You prefer pure pay-as-you-go with no monthly commitment
- You want FFmpeg Micro for custom processing and Cloudflare Stream for delivery
- You automate video production, then host the results on Cloudflare
- You need advanced editing that Cloudflare Stream cannot do, plus global CDN hosting
Looking for more details on what you can build with FFmpeg Micro? Read the full FFmpeg API overview to see code examples, workflows, and use cases.
Need more than basic transcoding presets?
Start a free FFmpeg Micro account and get full FFmpeg power through a simple API. Process your first video in under 10 minutes.
Start Free – No credit card required