Comparison of Streaming Platforms: Restream vs. Streamyard vs. OBS
When streaming live, influencers need tools that simplify their workflow. Three popular platforms are Restream, Streamyard, and OBS. This essay highlights the strengths of Restream while providing a balanced view of all three.
Overview of Each Platform
Restream lets users broadcast to over 30 platforms at once. This feature helps influencers reach a larger audience.
Streamyard is known for its user-friendly interface. It is browser-based, making it easy for beginners to start streaming.
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is free and open-source. It offers powerful features but requires more technical knowledge to use effectively.
Pros and Cons
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Restream | – Multistreaming to over 30 platforms – Great user interface – Good integrations |
– Can slow down browsers – Limited pre-recorded content lengths |
| Streamyard | – Easy for beginners – Good streaming quality – Generous free plan |
– Fewer streaming destinations – Higher pricing for premium features |
| OBS | – Highly customizable – Free to use – No subscription fees |
– Steeper learning curve – Requires installation |
Pricing Comparison
| Platform | Free Plan | Basic Plan | Pro Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restream | Yes (limited) | $16/month | $39/month |
| Streamyard | Yes (limited) | $25/month | $49/month |
| OBS | Yes | Free | Free |
Features Comparison
| Feature | Restream | Streamyard | OBS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multistreaming | Yes, up to 30 platforms | Yes, limited to 8 platforms | No, single platform at a time |
| Video Quality | Up to 4K | Up to 1080p | Depends on settings |
| Cloud Storage | Limited on free plan | Yes, with storage limits | No cloud storage |
| Customization Options | Extensive | Moderate | Highly customizable |
| User Interface | Intuitive | User-friendly | Complex for beginners |
| Guest Invitations | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Recording Options | Yes, cloud-based | Yes, local recording available | Yes, local recording available |
| Branding and Overlays | Customizable overlays | Built-in branding tools | Fully customizable via plugins |
| Chat Integration | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Analytics | Detailed analytics available | Basic analytics | None |
| Social Media Integration | Strong integration options | Limited integration |
Supported Social Media Platforms
Restream supports a wide range of social media platforms for multistreaming, including:
- Facebook
- Facebook Profile
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Live Event
- YouTube
- YouTube Live
- YouTube Shorts
- Unlisted Streams
- Twitch
- Twitter (X)
- TikTok
- Telegram
- DLive
- Vimeo
- Mixcloud
- Steam
- Kick
- Trovo
- Amazon Live
- AfreecaTV
- Bilibili
- Douyin (Chinese version of TikTok)
- KakaoTV
- Picarto.TV
- Nimo TV
- Dailymotion
- Wowza
- Custom RTMP Channels (for any platform that accepts RTMP)
Unique Features of Restream
Restream offers several features that are not found in Streamyard or OBS:
- Multistreaming to 30+ Platforms: Restream allows simultaneous streaming to over 30 platforms, making it ideal for maximizing audience reach.
- RTMP Streaming: Users can stream into Restream from other sources like OBS or Ecamm, allowing for greater flexibility in content creation.
- Event Scheduling: Restream enables users to schedule streams ahead of time, a feature not available in OBS.
- Detailed Analytics: Restream provides comprehensive analytics, including stream health monitoring and engagement metrics, which are more advanced than those offered by Streamyard.
- Pre-Recorded Video Streaming: Users can upload and schedule pre-recorded videos to be streamed live, a feature that Streamyard lacks.
- Reusable Stream Drafts: Restream allows users to save stream setups as drafts for future use, simplifying the process for recurring streams.
- Studio Scenes: Users can pre-build scenes in Restream Studio, eliminating the need to change layouts during a live stream.
- Image and GIF Support: Users can add images or GIFs directly into the stream easily.
- QR Code Generation: Turn any link into a scannable QR code during the stream for promotions or donations.
- Storage Integrations: Import videos directly from Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, and Descript with ease.
Why Choose Restream?
Restream excels in multistreaming capabilities, allowing influencers to engage with diverse audiences across various platforms simultaneously. Its user-friendly design means less time on setup and more time creating content.
Restream supports reusable stream drafts, enabling users to save their settings for future streams easily. The platform also integrates well with other software like OBS and Zoom, enhancing functionality.
Why Pick OBS (If You Are Tech-Savvy)
OBS is perfect for tech-savvy users due to its open-source nature, which allows extensive customization and is completely free. Users can modify it to fit their specific needs.
OBS has low CPU usage, allowing high-quality streams even on less powerful computers. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring compatibility across systems.
The platform offers many plugins and overlays that enhance functionality, enabling tech-savvy users to create unique broadcasts that stand out.
Why Pick Streamyard
Streamyard is great for ease of use with its browser-based platform that allows quick setup from anywhere with internet access.
It simplifies inviting guests to join streams, making it ideal for collaborations or interviews without complicated setups.
Streamyard offers high-quality streaming with minimal issues and includes built-in tools for graphics and overlays, allowing users to enhance their streams visually without separate design software.
Conclusion
In summary, Restream’s multistreaming capabilities make it ideal for influencers seeking broad reach across multiple platforms along with unique features that enhance streaming quality and user experience. OBS suits tech-savvy users who want customization and power while Streamyard appeals to those who value simplicity and collaboration in their streaming experience. Each platform has strengths that cater to different content creators’ needs.
Citations: [1] https://pheedloop.com/blog/comparing-streamyard-restream-and-obs-for-your-next-virtual-or-hybrid-event [2] https://restream.io/learn/comparisons/restream-vs-streamyard/ [3] https://www.learningrevolution.net/restream-vs-streamyard/ [4] https://streamyard.com/blog/restream-vs-streamyard [5] https://www.bocalive.ai/blog/streaming/restream-vs-streamyard/