Streaming on just one platform? You’re leaving views on the table.
Recent data shows creators who multistream gain 6× more followers than those streaming to a single channel (Restream, 2024). Restream has now reached over 60 billion views across more than 30 platforms, clearly demonstrating multistreaming clearly boosts reach.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to multistream with OBS, when to use third-party tools like Restream, and how to fix common issues—without overloading your PC or budget.
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 Stream to Multiple Platforms Using OBS?
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: Set Up OBS for Multistreaming
Setting up OBS Studio for multistreaming is easier than it sounds. First, you’ll need to download the software, install it, and tweak a few basic settings to get the best performance. Here’s how to do it step by step:
▸Download and Install OBS Studio
OBS Studio is free and works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Just head to the official website, download the latest version for your system, and follow the install prompts. Once it’s installed, launch OBS. You can use the auto-setup wizard or tweak things manually for more control.
▸Configure Basic OBS Settings
- Go to Settings in the bottom-right of OBS to open the main configuration menu.
- In Video, set your Base and Output resolution—1920x1080 for Full HD, or 1280x720 if needed.
- In Output, set your bitrate based on your internet—2500–4000 kbps works for most 1080p streams.
- Choose hardware encoding (like NVENC) if available, to reduce CPU load.
- In Audio, select your mic and system audio, and set the sample rate to 48 kHz.
- Hit Apply and do a test stream to make sure everything looks and sounds good.
Step2: Set Up the Streaming Destinations
Once you’ve configured OBS Studio, the next step is setting up the streaming destinations. This process involves adding custom RTMP sources for each platform you want to stream to, such as YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook.
▸Add Custom RTMP Sources
Custom RTMP sources are essential for multistreaming with OBS Studio. By entering the specific server information for each platform, you can broadcast your live stream to multiple destinations simultaneously.
- Open OBS and Go to Stream Settings:
Launch OBS Studio and head to Settings > Stream. - Choose “Custom” as the Service:
From the Service dropdown, select Custom. This option lets you manually enter the RTMP URL and Stream Key for each platform. - Enter RTMP URL and Stream Key:
Locate the RTMP URL and Stream Key in the live stream dashboard of each platform:
- YouTube: Under Stream Settings in YouTube Studio
- Twitch: In the Creator Dashboard under Stream Key & Preferences
- Facebook: Within the Live Producer tool
- Copy these details carefully and paste them into OBS to avoid connection issues.
- Save and Verify:
Click Apply to save your settings, then return to the main OBS window. Start a brief test stream to confirm the connection to each platform works correctly.
▸Configure Multiple Outputs
OBS lets you set up distinct configurations for each streaming destination, helping you tailor your broadcast to meet each platform’s specific needs.
- Enable Individual Output Settings:
Through OBS’s advanced options, you can assign different resolutions and bitrates for every platform. For example, stream in 1080p at 4000 kbps on YouTube while sending a 720p 2500 kbps stream to Twitch, optimizing viewer experience per platform. - Use Profiles to Manage Settings:
Create and save separate OBS Profiles for each platform’s setup. This way, switching between different streaming configurations becomes quick and effortless. - Run Tests Before Going Live:
Perform private test streams for each profile to ensure smooth playback, stable bitrate, and overall stream quality before your public broadcast.
Step3: Go Live to Multiple Platforms
Once everything is set up, you’re ready to go live.
How to Multistream with OBS Plugin?
OBS Studio’s open-source nature lets you add plugins to boost its features. For easy multistreaming, using an OBS multistream plugin is a great choice. It lets you stream to multiple platforms directly from OBS without relying on third-party services.
▸Popular OBS Multistream Plugins
One of the most widely used plugins for multistreaming is the Aitum Multistream Plugin. Here’s why it stands out:
- Stream to each platform at different resolutions (4K to YouTube, 720p to Twitch)
- Send separate audio tracks to different platforms (e.g., background music only to Twitch)
- Run vertical and horizontal streams side by side (great for TikTok or YouTube Shorts)
▸How to Set Up Aitum Multistream in OBS
Setting up a multistream plugin in OBS Studio is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:
- Download and Install Aitum Multistream
- Set Up Your Base Stream in OBS
- Add Additional Platforms in Aitum Multistream
- Understand Piggyback Streaming & Independent Streams
- Manage Audio Tracks for Different Platforms
- Go Live on Multiple Platforms
- Streaming to Vertical Platforms (TikTok, YouTube Shorts)
For step-by-step guidance ➡️ How to Use Aitum Multistream in OBS: The Best Free Plugin for Multistreaming
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.
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 |
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.
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.
