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Webinars · head to head

Kaltura vs Stellarium

Kaltura logo

Kaltura

Webinars

Video platform for learning, media, and engagement

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stellarium logo

Stellarium

Education

Free open source desktop planetarium software, distinct from the paid Stellarium Mobile Plus app

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Stellarium has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Kaltura no published pricing; vendor directs all inquiries to request quotes, demos, or trials; Stellarium it is desktop-only software, so it has no native touch-optimised phone interface; the similarly named mobile app is a different paid product from a different company.
  • They diverge on capability: Kaltura covers Video creation, Stellarium covers Photorealistic sky rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kaltura and Stellarium actually diverge.

Attributes where Kaltura and Stellarium differ
AttributeKalturaStellarium
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionOpen source, no licence fee
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Mac, IOS, Android, WebWindows, macOS, Linux
CategoryWebinarsEducation
Founded2006Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Kaltura

  • Video creation
  • Live streaming
  • Analytics
  • Interactive content
  • Mobile apps
  • Canvas
  • Blackboard
  • Moodle

Only in Stellarium

  • Photorealistic sky rendering
  • Large object catalogue
  • Telescope control
  • Scripting engine
  • Free and open source
  • Plugin ecosystem

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Kaltura

  • Enterprise video portals and internal town hallsnot Stellarium
  • Virtual classrooms and lecture capture for universitiesnot Stellarium

Stellarium

  • A student or educator wanting a serious, scriptable planetarium tool without a budget line itemnot Kaltura
  • An amateur astronomer wanting telescope control from desktop software they can inspect and modifynot Kaltura
  • Someone running a planetarium display or public astronomy event on a scripted shownot Kaltura
  • A hobbyist who wants a large object catalogue without paying a subscription, and does not need a phone appnot Kaltura

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Kaltura

  • No published pricing; vendor directs all inquiries to request quotes, demos, or trials
  • Pricing is custom per customer with no rate information disclosed publicly

Stellarium

  • It is desktop-only software, so it has no native touch-optimised phone interface; the similarly named mobile app is a different paid product from a different company.
  • As a volunteer-maintained open source project, support is community-based rather than a guaranteed commercial help desk.
  • The interface, while capable, is less immediately intuitive for a first-time user than a polished commercial phone app.
  • Telescope control and some advanced plugins require additional setup that a non-technical user may find fiddly.
  • Because it shares a name with the unrelated paid Stellarium Mobile Plus app, buyers researching pricing online can easily conflate the two products.

Pricing, plan by plan

Kaltura

On request
  • Starter$400/month
    • Video library
    • Basic features
  • Professional$1000/month
    • Live streaming
    • Analytics
  • Enterprise$2500/month
    • Custom solutions
    • Support

Stellarium

Free
  • Stellarium DesktopFree
    • Full software, GPL licensed
    • No account, ads or subscription
    • Community-developed plugins

Which should you pick?

Choose Kaltura if

  • You need video creation.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want live streaming.
Kaltura review

Choose Stellarium if

  • You need photorealistic sky rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want large object catalogue.
Stellarium review

Questions people ask

Is Kaltura or Stellarium better?
Neither clearly leads. Kaltura starts at On request and Stellarium at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kaltura or Stellarium?
Stellarium has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Kaltura and Free for Stellarium.
Does Kaltura or Stellarium run on more platforms?
Kaltura runs on Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Web. Stellarium runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Stellarium for free?
Yes. Stellarium has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Kaltura starts at On request.
What is Kaltura best used for?
Kaltura is most often used for enterprise video portals and internal town halls, virtual classrooms and lecture capture for universities. Of those, enterprise video portals and internal town halls and virtual classrooms and lecture capture for universities are not what Stellarium is typically brought in for.
What can Kaltura do that Stellarium cannot?
Kaltura covers Video creation, Live streaming, Analytics, Interactive content. Stellarium covers Photorealistic sky rendering, Large object catalogue, Telescope control, Scripting engine.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kaltura: How much does Kaltura cost?

Kaltura does not publish pricing online. The vendor offers custom pricing based on solutions selected, requiring customers to request quotes or book demos through their website.

Source
Stellarium: Is Stellarium really free?

The desktop software is free and open source under the GPL licence. The separate mobile app, Stellarium Mobile Plus, is a different paid product.

Kaltura: Can I try Kaltura before purchasing?

Kaltura offers free trial access, but specific trial terms, duration, and feature restrictions are not stated on the pricing page. Contact Kaltura to request a trial and learn about specific offerings.

Source
Stellarium: Is the mobile app made by the same team?

No. Stellarium Mobile Plus is built by Noctua Software, a different company, and is sold on subscription.

Stellarium: What platforms does the free version run on?

Windows, macOS and Linux desktop.

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