The verdict in three sentences
A post-production house's website is judged in three seconds: if the showreel stalls on a producer's phone, the studio looks less polished than its work. The right architecture relies on adaptive streaming (HLS via Mux or Bunny Stream) and a homepage that paints a poster image before the video, for a mobile LCP under 2 s. For EUR 9,000 to 22,000 excluding VAT, the same site can include a client review space with timecoded comments, replacing much of the email and WeTransfer back-and-forth.
A showreel without sacrificing speed
The classic mistake is autoplaying a 300 MB MP4 on the homepage. The result: 6 to 8 s LCP on 4G, bounce rates above 60%, and a page Google penalizes. The 2026 method: an AVIF poster of 80 to 150 KB shown instantly, a muted 8 to 12 s loop in 720p served over HLS, then the full 4K reel only on click, with automatic quality switching based on bandwidth.
| Video hosting option | 2026 monthly cost (indicative) | Max quality | Brand control | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vimeo Pro or Business | EUR 20 to 75 | 4K | Customizable player | Studio of 2 to 5 people |
| Unlisted YouTube | EUR 0 | 4K | Low, suggestions and ads | Avoid for a premium studio |
| Bunny Stream | EUR 10 to 80 | 4K HLS | Full, custom player | Best cost-to-speed ratio |
| Mux Video | EUR 60 to 300 | 4K HLS, analytics | Full, complete API | Studio with integrated client area |
| MP4 on the site's own server | EUR 0 to 20 | Variable | Full | Never for more than 30 s of video |
With Bunny or Mux, the player's first frame appears in under 1 s on an average 4G connection, and bitrate adapts from 480p to 2160p. The site itself, built in Next.js or static Astro, weighs under 400 KB excluding video.
Client review space: build or subscribe
Agencies and producers expect a secure link where they watch cut V2, leave comments pinned to timecode and approve the final version. There are two routes: subscribe to a market tool, or build a module into the studio's own site, in its branding.
| Solution | 2026 cost | Timecoded comments | Studio branding | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame.io (Adobe) | EUR 15 to 25 per user per month | Yes | Partial | Cost climbs with regular guests |
| Vimeo Review | Included from EUR 20 a month | Yes, basic | Partial | Weak version management |
| Module built into the site | EUR 3,500 to 8,000 one-off + streaming | Yes, timecode and drawing | Full | Maintenance required |
| Email + WeTransfer | EUR 0 to 12 a month | No | None | 3 to 5 rounds per project |
| Shared drive | EUR 0 to 10 a month | No | None | Mixed-up versions, no tracking |
The built-in module pays off beyond roughly 8 to 10 active projects a month or about fifteen regular external reviewers, since it removes per-seat licences and reinforces the studio's image with every link sent.
Budget breakdown
| Item | 2026 range (EUR excl. VAT) | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Art direction and mockups | 2,000 to 4,500 | Home, projects, studio, contact |
| Build and performance | 2,500 to 5,500 | Custom player, AVIF, CDN, LCP < 2 s |
| Project pages (20 to 60 works) | 1,000 to 3,000 | Credits, client, techniques, clips |
| Client review space | 3,500 to 8,000 | Guest accounts, versions, timecodes, PDF export |
| SEO and bilingual DE/EN | 800 to 2,000 | Service pages (grading, VFX, sound mix) |
| Total project | 9,000 to 22,000 | Excluding streaming at EUR 50 to 300 a month |
Mini case study
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Lena, managing producer of a grading and VFX house in Berlin-Kreuzberg, handles 12 active projects a month with 4 external reviewers each on average. On Frame.io that means about 30 seats at EUR 20, or EUR 600 a month (EUR 7,200 a year). Her team also spends 3 hours per project consolidating scattered feedback: 36 hours a month at EUR 55, EUR 1,980. A built-in module at EUR 6,000 plus EUR 150 a month of Mux cuts licences to zero and halves coordination time (EUR 990 saved monthly). Monthly saving: 600 + 990 - 150 = EUR 1,440, paying back the investment in just over 4 months.
FAQ
What does a post-production house website cost in Berlin in 2026?
Expect EUR 9,000 to 22,000 excluding VAT depending on the number of projects shown and whether a review space is included. A fast showreel site without a client area sits around EUR 9,000 to 12,000.
Can a 4K showreel really coexist with an LCP under 2 s?
Yes, if the LCP element is an AVIF poster under 150 KB and the video loads over HLS afterwards. In our measurements, mobile LCP drops from 6 s to 1.4 to 1.9 s with this approach.
Bunny Stream or Mux?
Bunny is 3 to 4 times cheaper for a simple showreel. Mux is justified from around 50 viewing hours a month or when you need playback analytics and an API for the client area.
Are client rushes protected?
Review links are signed and expire, typically within 7 to 30 days, with a watermark showing the guest's name. Files stay with the video host, encrypted at rest, with downloads disabled unless authorized, which supports GDPR obligations.
How long does the build take?
Plan 6 to 8 weeks for the site alone and 10 to 12 weeks with the review space. Exporting projects from the studio's storage is often the slowest step.
Let's scope your project. Tell us how many projects you want to showcase, your monthly review volume and your current tools, and we will price the site, streaming and client area with an indicative budget and timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
