Mux vs SUB/WAVE: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Mux and SUB/WAVE side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Mux
Video infrastructure for developers
Best for you if:
- • You want developer-first API design with comprehensive documentation
SUB/WAVE
AI DJ streams a live, adaptive radio broadcast to all listeners
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Mux requires payment)
| At a Glance | Mux | SUB/WAVE |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $20/mo Launch plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Video & Media Video Hosting | Live Streaming AI Voice |
Rating | 4.2/5 G2 4.4 · Trustpilot 3.2 21 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 323 reviews |
Free plan | n/a | Yes |
Watch out for | Live simulcasting is $0.020/min per target | n/a |
Choose Mux or SUB/WAVE?
Choose Mux if
- You want developer-first API design with comprehensive documentation
- You want free tier with 100K delivery minutes and no credit card required
- You work in video & media, not live streaming
Choose SUB/WAVE if
- You want a fully free tool (Mux requires payment)
- You want fully open-source and self-hosted, giving full control over data and privacy
- You want modular architecture allows swapping LLM and voice engines without redeployment
- You work in live streaming, not video & media
In-Depth Analysis
Mux
Video infrastructure for developers
Mux's pricing is quite generous, especially with the 100K free delivery minutes across all tiers and the $20 monthly credit in the 'Pay as You Go' plan.
Watch out
Live simulcasting is $0.020/min per target
Strengths
- Pro: Developer-first API design with comprehensive documentation
- Pro: Free tier with 100K delivery minutes and no credit card required
- Pro: Videos ready for playback in under 2 seconds on average
- Pro: Usage-based pricing with no upfront commitment on Pay as You Go
- Pro: Built-in analytics eliminate the need for a separate monitoring tool
Weaknesses
- Con: Usage-based pricing can become expensive at high volume
- Con: Free tier limited to 10 stored videos and on-demand only
- Con: Custom domains cost an additional fee
- Con: No built-in CMS or video management UI for non-developers
- Con: Live simulcasting billed separately per minute per target
Key features
SUB/WAVE
AI DJ streams a live, adaptive radio broadcast to all listeners
Strengths
- Pro: Fully open-source and self-hosted, giving full control over data and privacy
- Pro: Modular architecture allows swapping LLM and voice engines without redeployment
- Pro: Multi-platform support including traditional internet radio hardware
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires technical setup to configure the LLM, voice engine, and music library
- Con: No skip or on-demand control for listeners, which may not suit all users
Key features
Plans and prices: Mux vs SUB/WAVE
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mux |
| mux.com/pricing read Nov 2, 2026 |
| SUB/WAVE | No plan prices on file | getsubwave.com |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Mux pricing and SUB/WAVE pricing.
Key Takeaways
Mux
- Choose if you want video infrastructure for developers
SUB/WAVE
- Choose if you want AI DJ streams a live, adaptive radio broadcast to all listeners
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.2/5 from 21 reviews for Mux, 4.3/5 from 323 reviews for SUB/WAVE).
- Mux starts at $20/mo; SUB/WAVE has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Mux and SUB/WAVE compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.2/5 from 21 reviews for Mux, 4.3/5 from 323 reviews for SUB/WAVE). Mux starts at $20/mo; SUB/WAVE has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Mux and SUB/WAVE used for?
Mux: Video infrastructure for developers. SUB/WAVE: AI DJ streams a live, adaptive radio broadcast to all listeners.
What does Mux cost vs SUB/WAVE?
Mux's cheapest paid plan is Launch at $20/mo. SUB/WAVE is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Mux and SUB/WAVE?
Mux's main strength: developer-first API design with comprehensive documentation. SUB/WAVE's main strength: fully open-source and self-hosted, giving full control over data and privacy.