Source: https://mindstamp.com/help/do-viewers-need-an-account
Generated from the Help Center records: 2026-10-05

# Do viewers need a Mindstamp account to watch?

Topic: [Getting started and account](https://mindstamp.com/help/getting-started) · Updated: 2026-10-05

## Short answer

No. Viewers open a share link or an embedded video in their browser and watch without a Mindstamp account. You can still ask for details or limit who can watch with a password, an access list, lead capture, or approved embed domains.

![Access & privacy section of Mindstamp video Settings with the Link, Password and Access list options and the Organization members can view and can edit switches highlighted](https://cdn.mindstamp.com/website2026/help/settings-access-privacy.webp)

_Settings > Access & privacy: choose who can watch, and whether your organization can view or edit the video._

## How viewers can open a video

None of these need a login, app, or plugin. The video plays in any modern browser on a phone, tablet, or computer.

- A share link, including a link on your custom domain.
- An embed on your website, LMS, or landing page.
- A playlist link or a personalized link.

## Ways to control who watches

Open the video, select **Settings**, and go to **Access & privacy**. Choose one of these options:

- **Link**: anybody with the link can view.
- **Password**: only people with the password can view.
- **Access list**: only people on the list you choose can view.

## Other controls

- Lead capture asks for a name, email, phone, or custom ID at the start or at a set time, and can hold playback until the viewer answers.
- Allowed embed domains, which the organization owner sets under **Settings** in the account menu, stop the video from playing when it is embedded on other sites. Allowed embed domains are on Core and higher plans.
- A paywall asks viewers to pay before they watch.

## Anonymous and identified viewers

If a viewer gives no details, Mindstamp still records the view as an anonymous viewer. When a viewer enters their details, or opens a personalized link, their views and answers are grouped under that person in reporting.

Viewers do not affect your bill. Each plan includes unlimited viewers with no per-viewer billing. Streaming minutes measure the total time your audience watches each month.

## Team members are different

People who build, edit, or read reports in the app do need a login. See how to invite team members and how group roles work.

## Go further

- [Video settings](https://mindstamp.com/tutorials/settings)
- [Lead capture](https://mindstamp.com/tutorials/lead-capture)
- [Video protection](https://mindstamp.com/tutorials/video-protection)

## Related answers

- [How do I control who can watch my video?](https://mindstamp.com/help/password-protect-videos)
- [Can I restrict the websites my video can be embedded on?](https://mindstamp.com/help/restrict-embed-domains)
- [How does Mindstamp recognize viewers, and why are some anonymous?](https://mindstamp.com/help/viewer-identity-and-anonymous-viewers)
- [How do I invite team members to my account?](https://mindstamp.com/help/invite-team-members)

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