Last updated: 2026-01-13

If you’re looking for streaming software with cloud storage, start with a browser-based studio like StreamYard, which offers built‑in cloud recording measured in hours plus optional add‑on storage. Consider tools like Restream or Streamlabs Talk Studio only if you’re okay with short retention windows, or use OBS when you’re ready to manage storage and backups yourself.

Summary

• StreamYard is a browser-based live studio that automatically records live streams to the cloud on paid plans, with storage measured in hours and expandable via add‑ons. (StreamYard Help Center)
• Restream and Streamlabs Talk Studio also offer cloud recordings, but keep files only for a limited number of days depending on the plan. (Restream Help Center) (Streamlabs Help Center)
• OBS and Streamlabs Desktop save everything locally, so you need your own cloud backup (Drive, Dropbox, S3, etc.). (OBS Project)
• For most creators in the U.S., StreamYard’s mix of simple setup, reliable cloud recording, and strong guest experience is the most practical starting point.

What does “streaming software with cloud storage” really mean?

When people search for “streaming software with cloud storage,” they’re usually trying to solve three problems at once:

1. Go live in a way that “just works.” No complicated encoders or hardware.
2. Automatically save a copy of the show. So you don’t lose an important webinar, service, or interview.
3. Get recordings off your computer. Cloud storage means you’re not hunting through local folders or maxing out your SSD.

In practice, that usually points to browser-based studios with built‑in recording, not heavy desktop encoders.

StreamYard, Restream Studio, and Streamlabs Talk Studio fit that description. OBS and Streamlabs Desktop, on the other hand, are local-first tools—you can stream and record with them, but you’re on your own for cloud backup. (OBS Project)

How does StreamYard handle cloud storage and recordings?

At StreamYard, we designed recording around a simple mental model: hours, not gigabytes.

• Cloud storage on StreamYard is measured in recording hours per plan (for example, Free includes 5 hours, while multiple paid plans offer 50 hours, and Business plans go into the hundreds of hours). (StreamYard Help Center)
• On paid plans, live streams are automatically recorded to the cloud; you don’t have to remember to hit a second “record” button. (StreamYard Help Center)
• Local recordings—like multi‑track, studio‑quality files for each participant—don’t count against your cloud storage. They’re saved separately, so you can still capture high‑end files without burning through your quota. (StreamYard Blog)

If your account is out of storage when you go live, the stream itself still works, but a new cloud recording won’t be created. That’s your cue to clear space or add more hours. (StreamYard Help Center)

For growing shows, you can buy a storage add‑on to increase your recording hours instead of immediately changing your entire plan. (StreamYard Help Center)

In real terms, that means:

• You can run long webinars and weekly shows without worrying about file sizes.
• Your team can jump into the studio from a browser (no downloads) and know that the session is being saved.
• You keep control of when to upgrade storage, instead of waking up to surprise deletions.

Which tools automatically record to the cloud?

If automatic cloud recording is non‑negotiable, here’s the lay of the land:

• StreamYard – Auto‑records live streams to the cloud on paid plans, with storage measured in hours. Local multi‑track recordings are available for higher‑quality editing and don’t consume your cloud quota. (StreamYard Blog)
• Restream Studio – Saves cloud recordings for a limited number of days based on plan: 15 days for Standard and Professional, 30 days for Business. (Restream Help Center)
• Streamlabs Talk Studio – Keeps only recent recordings, with the number of sessions and days depending on your tier (for example, free users get a small number of recent recordings for a few days). (Streamlabs Help Center)

By contrast:

• OBS Studio – Records to a folder on your computer. If you want “cloud,” you upload those files manually or sync the folder with a service like Google Drive. (OBS Project)
• Streamlabs Desktop – Similar idea: powerful local streaming and recording, but you own the storage puzzle.

For most U.S. creators, the question isn’t “does it record?” It’s “will my recording still be there next week or next month, and how much work do I need to do to manage it?”

How long do Restream and Streamlabs Talk Studio keep recordings?

If you’re comparing StreamYard to other browser tools, pay close attention to retention windows.

Restream Studio

According to Restream’s Help Center:

• Standard and Professional plans keep recordings for 15 days.
• Business plans keep recordings for 30 days. (Restream Help Center)

Restream also sets maximum recording lengths per session (for example, 6 hours on some mid‑tier plans and up to 10 hours on higher tiers). (Restream Help Center)

This can work if your workflow is: go live → download the file within a week or two → move it into your editing/storage system. But it does mean more “file housekeeping” on your calendar.

Streamlabs Talk Studio

Streamlabs Talk Studio takes a similar short‑term approach. Their help docs show that free users only keep a limited number of recent recordings for a few days, and higher tiers extend that window but still frame cloud storage as temporary holding space, not a long‑term library. (Streamlabs Help Center)

If you’re running events where replays matter—courses, church services, recurring webinars—that time pressure can become a tax on your team.

With StreamYard’s hour-based model and optional add‑ons, you spend more time thinking about how long you’re recording, not racing a calendar to download before deletion. (StreamYard Help Center)

OBS and Streamlabs Desktop: when is local recording the right move?

OBS Studio and Streamlabs Desktop are popular for creators who want deep scene control and advanced encoder settings. But they do not include cloud storage or automatic cloud recording.

In OBS, you set a Recording Path on your machine; that’s where every file lands. (OBS Project) The upside is control and zero subscription cost. The downside is extra complexity:

• You’re responsible for backing up recordings to the cloud.
• Long shows can quietly fill up your disk.
• Non‑technical guests may still struggle with local setups and bandwidth.

This can be a good fit if you:

• Love tweaking layouts and encoder settings.
• Already pay for robust cloud storage or an on‑prem archive.
• Don’t mind the extra steps between “end stream” and “safe in the cloud.”

Many creators start here, then move to StreamYard after feeling the friction of complex setups. They often describe OBS‑style tools as “too convoluted” compared to a clean, browser-based studio where their guests can join without installing anything.

How do I choose the right setup for my use case?

Here’s a simple way to think about your decision, using a quick scenario.

Scenario: You’re hosting a weekly live show with remote guests, simulcasting to YouTube and LinkedIn. You want clean recordings for repurposed clips, and you don’t have a full‑time producer.

For this type of workflow:

• StreamYard gives you a browser studio, easy guest links, branded layouts, and automatic cloud recordings on paid plans.
• You can add multi‑track local recording in 4K for later editing without affecting your cloud quota.
• If your show grows and you need more storage, you add hours rather than rebuilding your stack.

Compare that to:

• Restream or Streamlabs Talk Studio, where you’ll likely be downloading and archiving every week to beat short retention windows.
• OBS/Streamlabs Desktop, where you need to maintain your own backup system and walk guests through more technical steps.

For most people searching “streaming software with cloud storage,” the real win isn’t squeezing out one more technical feature—it’s trusting that your show is recorded, findable, and easy for guests to join. That’s exactly the space where StreamYard is designed to be your default.

What we recommend

• Start with StreamYard if you want a browser-based studio with automatic cloud recordings, hour‑based storage, and simple guest workflows.
• Use Restream or Streamlabs Talk Studio if you’re comfortable working within short retention windows and manually archiving files on a tight schedule.
• Choose OBS or Streamlabs Desktop only if you specifically need advanced encoder control and are ready to manage your own cloud backup strategy.
• Upgrade storage, not your whole stack: as your library grows in StreamYard, lean on hour-based storage and add‑ons so you can keep the workflow your team already knows.