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In modern football, technology has become a vital part of the game. From grassroots clubs to professional teams, the ability to capture, analyse, and share match footage is transforming how teams train, strategise, and connect with their supporters. With numerous solutions on the market, it can be challenging to determine which platform best suits your needs.
In this article, we’ll delve into the key features that define today’s top football video analysis solutions: zone14, Veo, Pixellot, Staige, and Trace, and how each solution compares across important categories such as player tracking, camera setup, streaming capabilities, analysis tools, auto-detection features, and pricing. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which platform might be the best fit for your team.
Tracking player performance has become a cornerstone of modern coaching. Whether it’s analysing heatmaps to identify movement patterns, reviewing key passes, or evaluating player fitness, detailed tracking data allows coaches to tailor their strategies and improve results.
zone14: zone14 uses AI-driven performance analysis to generate detailed player statistics and tactical insights directly from video footage. Unlike some other platforms, it does not require wearable GPS trackers, simplifying the setup process while still delivering advanced data such as heatmaps and running statistics for each player.
Veo: Veo’s AI-powered analytics provide heatmaps, shot maps, and general match statistics. While helpful for understanding team performance, it currently lacks the depth of individual player data found in zone14 or Trace.
Pixellot: Pixellot offers highly detailed player and ball tracking, ideal for clubs with a need for robust performance data. Basic match stats such as possession However, its setup is generally geared toward larger venues and organisations. For individual player running data, Pixellot are partnered with GPS device manufacturers Playermaker which is available at an additional cost.
Staige: Staige focuses primarily on match recording and streaming, with little emphasis on individual or team tracking analytics.
Trace: Combining wearable GPS sensors and smart cameras, Trace creates individual highlights and performance metrics. While the player-specific approach is innovative, the reliance on wearables may complicate its use for larger teams and increase the cost for those on a restricted budget.
The ease of setting up your video system can significantly affect your ability to capture every match and training session. A solution’s portability , power options, and field-of-view capabilities all play a role in its practicality.
zone14: zone14 uses a fixed, high-resolution 180-degree camera systeminstalled at venues. This ensures consistency and reliability but makes it less suitable for teams playing at multiple locations. However it means all teams at the club can make use of the camera system at no additional cost, supporting the development of youth players through video analysis. Having a fixed system also means reduced setup time for coaches and staff on matchday, as match recordings are able to be scheduled in advance.
Veo: Veo offers a portable camera system designed for ease of use. It can be mounted on a tripod and powered by battery, making it ideal for teams that frequently change venues. It can however mean the footage is less stable in bad weather conditions and limits the current capability of its AI tracking algorithms.
Pixellot: Pixellot offers both fixed installations and the portable Pixellot Air, a lightweight solution with ‘professional-grade capture quality’. This flexibility makes it suitable for diverse use cases and means there are options for clubs of all levels
Staige: Staige relies on fixed camera setups, making it an excellent choice for clubs with permanent venues but limiting flexibility for those on the move.
Trace: Trace also uses a portable camera system, but its reliance on wearables adds complexity. This can be cumbersome for teams with larger rosters or those prioritising simplicity.
Live streaming has become an essential feature for football clubs aiming to engage their supporters and build their brand. Whether streaming to YouTube or a dedicated platform, the ability to broadcast matches in real-time is invaluable.
zone14: zone14 allows clubs to live stream matches via the zone14 LIVE package integrated with popular streaming platforms like YouTube which is accessible on all devices. This feature ensures all fans can follow the action in real-time, while coaches are also able to benefit from instant replays and live tagging tools on zone14 REPLAY. ClubTV is also available to allow teams to have their own dedicated website page for sharing their streams and highlights.
Veo: Veo offers live streaming as an add-on service. Matches are streamed directly through the Veo app or alternatively can be broadcast to popular social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook.
Pixellot: Pixellot’s professional-grade streaming solutions are geared toward large organisations and broadcasters. It supports customisable OTT platforms for monetisation but may be overkill for smaller clubs.
Staige: Staige.tv focuses on grassroots-level live streaming, helping clubs engage their local communities with high-quality broadcasts. Their dedicated platform, Staige.tv allows clubs to have their own dedicated page for streaming. Similarly they work directly with Austrian company Fan.at to bring a similar solution and platform to clubs in Austria.
Trace: Trace prioritises post-match highlights rather than live streaming. This approach is ideal for training and recruitment but doesn’t cater to fans wanting to watch matches live.
For coaches, the ability to analysefootage is just as important as capturing it. Tools like drawing overlays, tagging, and playlists are invaluable for breaking down tactical patterns and improving performance.
zone14: Intuitive analysis tools on zone14 REPLAY. include drawing and tagging features, allowing coaches to highlight key tactical moments and create custom playlists. This makes it a comprehensive solution for post-match analysis. zone14 also offer a free trial of their analysis tool here. Additionally it is also available as a software-only package (zone14 COACH) for users who already have their own footage.
Veo: Veo offers a basic video editor for tagging key events and creating highlights. It focuses heavily on incorporating data such as passing statistics.
Pixellot: Pixellot integrates with professional analysis platforms to deliver advanced coaching insights. However, this level of detail often requires additional software expertise/knowledge and may not be ideal for amateur/grassroots coaches.
Staige: Analysis tools are available as a paid extra however this is not the key focus in Staige’s platform. With Staige.tv focusing on delivering raw footage for playback and streaming rather than advanced analytics.
Trace: Trace creates individual player highlights automatically, making it an excellent choice for recruitment purposes and scouting but less suitable for team-wide tactical analysis.
Automated event detection is a game-changer, saving coaches time by identifying key moments like goals, set pieces, and more.
zone14: zone14’s AI-driven event detection is currently able to automatically detect and mark goals, with more AI auto-detection features planned in the near future. This feature streamlines the review process, enabling coaches to focus on strategy rather than sifting through hours of footage.
Veo: Veo uses AI to tag events like goals. It is also able to detect passes and set-piece situations making it the most advanced currently for auto-detection features.
Pixellot: Pixellot offers advanced event detection as part of its high-end solution suite, catering to professional organisations needing comprehensive data.
Staige: Event detection features are limited, relying on manual inputs for tagging highlights.
Trace: Trace’s unique selling point is its personalised highlights for each player, using AI to compile individual reels for performance reviews. This is done by combining the AI camera footage together with the data from the GPS tracking devices.
Budget is always a critical factor when choosing a solution. The cost of hardware, software subscriptions, and any additional services must align with your club’s financial resources.
zone14: zone14 offers competitive pricing with transparent packagestailored to clubs of all sizes. Its all-in-one approach minimises hidden costs and expensive hardware costs, making it accessible to grassroots and semi-professional teams
Veo: Veo operates on a subscription model, with an upfront cost for the camera and ongoing fees for its services. While affordable for many teams, additional costs for live streaming and advanced features can add up.
Pixellot: Overall Pixellot’s pricing reflects its professional-grade offering, making it more suited to clubs with larger budgets.
Staige: Staige’s pricing is competitive for grassroots clubs but may require additional investment for custom installations. Additionally with their partner platforms such as Fan.at there may be a requirement to sell a certain amount of subscriptions which can mean extra work for under-staffed grassroots clubs.
Trace: Trace’s wearable-centric model adds a layer of cost, especially for larger clubs of multiple teams that then need multiple devices.
Choosing the right football video analysis system depends on your club’s specific needs, budget, and goals. Veo offers a portable and user-friendly option, while Pixellot caters more to professional organisations with advanced analytics and streaming capabilities. Staige excels at live streaming for grassroots sports, and Trace shines in creating personalised player highlights.
However, zone14 stands out as the most well-rounded solution. With its fixed camera system, advanced AI analytics, live streaming capabilities, and competitive pricing, it bridges the gap between grassroots affordability and professional-grade features. zone14 empowers teams not only to play better football but to understand the game on a deeper level.
