Livestreaming is no longer a side channel—it’s how people want to connect. Over 80% of users say they’d rather watch a live video from a brand than read a blog (Source: Bloggingwizard, 2025). It’s faster, more human, and more engaging. Today, live content makes up 23% of all video viewing time globally, and the market is set to hit $3 billion by 2027. That’s huge.
But here’s the problem: your audience isn’t all in one place. Some are on YouTube, where discoverability is high. Others are scrolling through Facebook, networking on LinkedIn, or hanging out on Twitch. If you’re only streaming to one platform, you’re leaving potential viewers—and growth—on the table.
That’s why multistreaming matters. Broadcasting to multiple platforms at once helps you reach more people without adding more work. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to set it up, step by step—even if you’re just getting started.
What Is Multistreaming?
Multistreaming—also known as simulcasting—is the process of broadcasting your live video to multiple platforms at the same time. Instead of picking just one—YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitch—you can stream to all of them simultaneously. It’s a smart, time-efficient way to expand your reach without creating extra work. Whether you’re running a live Q&A, hosting a virtual event, or streaming gameplay, multistreaming helps you show up wherever your audience already spends time.
How to Multistream: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Want to stream to YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and other platforms at the same time? Multistreaming lets you do exactly that — helping you reach a wider audience without streaming multiple times. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Decide Where You Want to Stream
Today, nearly every major platform supports live streaming — from social apps like TikTok, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter), to dedicated video platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. In late 2023, Twitch updated its policies to officially permit simultaneous streaming to other platforms. This change opened new opportunities for creators who want to expand beyond a single audience.
Another growing platform is Kick.com, launched in early 2023. It’s a favorite among gaming streamers thanks to its familiar interface and more relaxed content moderation compared to Twitch, especially around categories like gambling and mature content.
Niche platforms also exist for more specific types of content. For example, Picarto focuses on live art, while Mixcloud is tailored for DJ sets and music events. Some services, like AfreecaTV in South Korea, are popular primarily within a specific region or cultural context.
So which platforms should you choose? Here are a few practical approaches:
- If you already have an audience on one platform, start there and build outward.
- Focus on large, mainstream platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X to maximize reach.
- If you create content within a specific niche, consider adding a specialized platform to reach a more targeted audience.
- Combine one or two major platforms with a niche one. For example, a music artist could stream on YouTube and Facebook while also using Mixcloud to reach music fans specifically.
Each platform brings unique advantages—Facebook is ideal for community engagement, YouTube offers superior video quality and discoverability, while niche platforms help connect with highly focused audiences.
Step 2: Find a multistreaming solution
1. Hardware Encoders
Hardware encoders are dedicated physical devices that let you stream to multiple platforms at once. They work independently of your computer, offering reliable performance and low-latency encoding—making them a great option for professional setups. However, they tend to be expensive and require more technical knowledge to configure. If you’re running high-end productions or need robust backup options, a hardware encoder may be worth the investment.
2. Software Multistreaming Platforms
When it comes to multistreaming, software solutions dominate because of their flexibility and accessibility. Within this category, two main approaches stand out: multistreaming directly using OBS Studio, and using third-party multistreaming services.
▸How to Multistream on OBS
OBS Studio is a powerful, free, and open-source streaming software that supports multistreaming through plugins like the Multiple RTMP Output Plugin. With this setup, you can stream directly to multiple platforms at once by manually configuring each destination’s RTMP URL and stream key.
This method gives you granular control over each stream’s settings, such as resolution and bitrate, allowing you to optimize your broadcast for every platform. However, setting it up requires some technical know-how and can be demanding on your computer and internet bandwidth.
In summary, multistreaming on OBS is ideal for users who want full control and are comfortable with more complex setup steps.
▸Multistreaming via Third-Party Services
For most beginners and those who prefer a user-friendly, hassle-free experience, third-party multistreaming services like Restream or StreamYard are the way to go. Third-party services like Restream simplify multistreaming by letting you send your stream once to their platform, which then broadcasts to all your selected destinations.
▸Benefits of Using Third-Party Services
- User-Friendly: These services handle the technical details, making multistreaming easy to use even for beginners.
- Centralized Management: Manage all your streaming platforms, monitor live chats, and access analytics from one unified dashboard.
- Wide Platform Support: Services like Restream support numerous platforms including YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, LinkedIn, and many others.
▸How to Integrate Restream with OBS
- Sign Up for Restream: Visit the Restream website and create a free account. Paid subscriptions are available if you need advanced features.
- Connect Your Streaming Platforms: In the Restream dashboard, link your preferred streaming destinations such as YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook. This centralizes your streaming accounts for easy management.
- Set OBS to Stream to Restream: Open OBS, navigate to Settings > Stream, and select Custom as your streaming service. Enter the RTMP URL and Stream Key provided in your Restream account settings.
- Start Streaming: Begin streaming from OBS, and Restream will automatically broadcast your live feed to all connected platforms simultaneously.
Step3: Configure Your Streaming Software
Whether you’re using a multistreaming service or going manual, your streaming software (like OBS) needs to be set up properly.
If you’re using a multistreaming service:
Go to your streaming software’s settings and connect your service account. In OBS, this means heading to Settings > Stream, selecting your service (like Restream), and either logging in or pasting in your stream key. This sends one feed to the service, which then distributes it to your chosen platforms.
If you’re not using a service (manual setup):
You’ll need to add multiple stream outputs. For OBS, install the Multiple RTMP Outputs plugin. Then, manually enter each platform’s RTMP URL and stream key (e.g., from YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook). This tells OBS where to send your stream for each destination.
Tip:
Always test your stream on all platforms before going live. This helps you catch any issues early—like a wrong stream key or platform not connecting.
Step4: Go Live to Multiple Platforms
Once everything is set up, you’re ready to go live.
If using a multistreaming service:
Simply hit Start Streaming in your software (like OBS). Your stream is sent to the multistreaming service (e.g., Restream), which then pushes it out to each of your connected platforms—YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and more—simultaneously.
If manually streaming to each platform:
Using plugins like Multiple RTMP Output in OBS, click Start Streaming and your feed will go out to all the destinations you’ve configured. Each stream runs independently, so it’s important to monitor performance to avoid dropped frames or lag.
Tips for a smooth launch:
- Announce your stream schedule in advance on all platforms.
- Test your internet speed—upload bandwidth is crucial.
- Monitor chat and engagement through multistream dashboards or tools.
Once live, keep an eye on performance, viewer counts, and comments. You’re now broadcasting to multiple communities at once—maximize your reach and engagement!
Best Multistreaming Software Options (Free & Easy)
The Ultimate Guide to the Most Popular Free Multistreaming Platforms and Tools
| Platform | Free Streaming | Native Multistream | Ease of Use | Best For |
| OBS Studio | ✅ | ❌ with plugins | Moderate-High | Power users |
| Streamlabs | ✅ | ✅ (paid) | Easy-Moderate | Gamers, charities |
| SplitCam | ✅ | ✅ | Easy | Desktop-only creators |
| StreamYard | ✅ (w/ branding) | ✅ (paid) | Very Easy | Interviews, educators |
| Restream | ✅ | ✅ | Easy | Multi-platform beginners |
| Aitum Plugin | ✅ | ✅ | Moderate-High | Techy OBS users |
Common Multistreaming Challenges—and How to Solve Them
Multistreaming is a powerful way to reach multiple audiences at once, but it can also introduce some unique challenges. Understanding these common issues—and how to fix them—will help you create a smoother, more professional streaming experience.
Bandwidth and Internet Stability Issues
Problem: Streaming to multiple platforms at once consumes a lot of upload bandwidth. If your internet connection is slow or unstable, your stream may lag, freeze, or disconnect.
Solution:
- Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi for a more stable network.
- Check your upload speed and ensure it meets the combined bitrate requirements of all platforms.
- Consider reducing your video bitrate or resolution to lessen bandwidth usage.
- If possible, use a third-party multistreaming service like Restream, which sends one stream from you to their servers, reducing your bandwidth load.
Increased CPU/GPU Load
Problem: Encoding multiple streams simultaneously can put heavy strain on your computer’s processor and graphics card, causing dropped frames or system slowdowns.
Solution:
- Enable hardware encoding (e.g., NVENC for Nvidia GPUs) in OBS settings to offload processing from your CPU.
- Close unnecessary applications to free up system resources.
- Lower stream resolution or frame rate to reduce load.
- Upgrade hardware if streaming regularly at high quality.
Stream Sync and Latency Differences
Problem: Different platforms process streams differently, leading to delays or out-of-sync streams across platforms.
Solution:
- Accept that small latency differences are normal and usually unavoidable.
- For live interaction, focus on the platform with the lowest latency (usually Twitch or YouTube).
- Use platform-specific chat integrations or multistream chat aggregators to manage conversations smoothly.
Managing Chat Across Multiple Platforms
Problem: Engaging with viewers across different platform chats simultaneously can be overwhelming.
Solution:
- Use unified chat tools provided by multistreaming services like Restream Chat or Streamlabs Chatbot.
- Assign moderators to help manage different chat rooms.
- Periodically remind viewers where to find your main chat community.
Platform-Specific Streaming Requirements
Problem: Each streaming platform may have different recommended settings for resolution, bitrate, and codecs, making it tricky to optimize streams for all at once.
Solution:
- Use OBS multistream plugins to customize output settings for each platform individually.
- Check each platform’s official guidelines before streaming.
- Consider prioritizing quality for your main platform and adjust secondary platforms accordingly.
FAQs: How to Multistream Across Platforms
Q1: What is multistreaming?
A1: Multistreaming means broadcasting your live video to multiple streaming platforms at the same time, such as YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook. This helps you reach a larger audience without needing to stream separately on each platform.
Q2: Do I need special software to multistream?
A2: Yes, you can use streaming software like OBS Studio combined with plugins, or third-party multistreaming services like Restream that make it easy to send your stream to multiple platforms simultaneously.
Q3: Can I multistream for free?
A3: Yes, many third-party services offer free plans with basic multistreaming features. OBS Studio is also free and can be configured for multistreaming with plugins. However, paid plans usually provide additional features and support more platforms.
Q4: Will multistreaming lower my video quality?
A4: It depends on your internet upload speed and computer performance. Streaming to multiple platforms requires more bandwidth and processing power. Using hardware encoding and optimizing settings can help maintain good video quality.
Q5: How do I find the stream keys for different platforms?
A5: Each platform provides a unique stream key in its live streaming dashboard or settings. For example, YouTube Studio, Twitch Creator Dashboard, and Facebook Live Producer all have sections where you can find your stream key.
Q6: Can I use one microphone and webcam for all platforms during multistreaming?
A6: Yes, your streaming software captures your audio and video once, then sends the same feed to all platforms you’re streaming to.
