Last updated: 2026-01-20

To stream to Twitch and YouTube at the same time, the simplest path is to use a browser-based multistreaming studio like StreamYard and connect both channels inside one dashboard. If you prefer a more technical setup with OBS, you can pair it with a cloud relay service, but expect more configuration and maintenance.

Summary

• Use a browser-based multistreaming studio (like StreamYard) to go live on Twitch and YouTube with a few clicks.
• Tools like OBS alone only stream to one platform; pair them with a cloud relay (like Restream or Streamlabs Multistream) for multistreaming.
• Check Twitch simulcast guidance and each service’s plan limits before your first dual stream.
• For most creators, ease of use and reliability matter more than ultra-advanced setups.

What is multistreaming and why does it matter for Twitch + YouTube?

Multistreaming is sending one live video to multiple platforms at the same time—Twitch, YouTube, and others—so you can grow your audience faster without repeating the same broadcast.

At StreamYard, we support live streaming to both YouTube and Twitch, plus destinations like Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and more from one browser-based studio. (StreamYard)

Why it matters if you’re going live on Twitch and YouTube:

• You meet your community where they already are.
• You test which platform responds better to your content.
• You keep your workflow simple: one layout, one camera, one show.

Instead of juggling two separate encoders, chat windows, and alerts, you run a single show and let the multistreaming software fan it out to each destination.

How do you stream to Twitch and YouTube at the same time with StreamYard?

This is the least technical path and what we recommend for most creators.

On StreamYard, multistreaming is available on our paid plans, and you can add multiple destinations—including Twitch and YouTube—to a single broadcast. (StreamYard Help Center)

A simple workflow:

1. Create your accounts

   • Sign up for Twitch and YouTube if you haven’t already.
   • Create a free StreamYard account to try the studio.

2. Connect your destinations

   • In StreamYard, go to Destinations.
   • Connect your YouTube channel and your Twitch channel by authorizing each login.
   • Once connected, they’re ready to be toggled on for any show.

3. Create your show in the studio

   • Click Create → Live stream.
   • Select YouTube and Twitch as destinations for the same broadcast.
   • Set your title, description, and thumbnail. Many multistream tools (including ours) let you customize these per platform. (Streamlabs)

4. Invite guests (optional)

   • Share your guest link. Guests join from a browser, no downloads required—this is where users tell us StreamYard “passes the grandparent test” and that guests can join easily without tech problems.

5. Go live

   • Once your camera, mic, and scenes are ready, click Go live.
   • StreamYard sends your show to Twitch and YouTube at the same time.

For most creators moving fast—interviews, podcasts, webinars, live Q&A—this “it just works” setup beats managing separate encoders, scene collections, and plugins.

How do you multistream from OBS to Twitch and YouTube?

If you love OBS for advanced scene control, filters, or very custom layouts, you can still multistream—you just need help.

OBS Studio by itself only supports streaming to one platform at a time. (Restream Guide)

To stream to Twitch and YouTube simultaneously from OBS, you typically:

1. Use a cloud relay service

   • Services like Restream or Streamlabs Multistream sit between OBS and your destinations.
   • You send one stream from OBS to them, and they forward it to Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms. (Streamlabs) (Restream Guide)

2. Set up OBS with the relay

   • In OBS, paste the stream key provided by the relay service.
   • Select the relay’s RTMP server as your streaming server.
   • Start streaming in OBS; the relay distributes your stream to Twitch and YouTube.

3. Configure your destinations on the relay side

   • In Restream, for example, you connect your Twitch and YouTube accounts.
   • Their OBS plugin also lets you multistream directly from OBS while they handle the distribution. (Restream Guide)

This approach is powerful but more technical. You’re managing:

• OBS scenes and profiles.
• Relay service settings and plan limits.
• Potential encoding and bitrate issues.

Many creators start with OBS and then move to a browser-based studio like StreamYard once they realize they value ease of use, reliability, and a fast learning curve over complex setups.

Can you stream on Twitch and YouTube at the same time under Twitch rules?

Twitch has updated its guidance to allow creators to simulcast on other platforms, including YouTube, with some conditions about not compromising the Twitch experience. (Digital Music News)

A few practical guidelines:

• Always review Twitch’s latest simulcast and exclusivity terms inside your creator dashboard or official help pages.
• If you are a Twitch Partner or Affiliate, confirm that your agreement matches the public guidance and that there are no special restrictions on your account.
• Avoid actions that clearly degrade the Twitch stream (for example, telling viewers to leave Twitch for a “better” version elsewhere).

The short version: simulcasting to Twitch and YouTube is generally allowed, but you remain responsible for following Twitch’s current policies.

Which multistreaming software uses the least upload bandwidth?

If your upload speed is limited, bandwidth matters a lot.

There are two primary patterns:

1. Cloud relay model (saves bandwidth)

   • You send one encoded stream from your computer.
   • The cloud service makes copies and forwards them to Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms.
   • Streamlabs describes it this way: you send a single stream to them, and their servers forward it to each platform without straining your setup. (Streamlabs)
   • Restream uses a similar approach. (Restream Guide)

2. Local multi-output model (uses more bandwidth)

   • Your computer sends separate streams to each platform.
   • This can quickly saturate your upload speed.

Most browser-based and cloud multistreaming tools—including StreamYard—operate in a cloud relay pattern. You send one stream from your browser to our servers, and we distribute it to your destinations. This is usually the best choice for:

• Home internet connections.
• Laptops or older desktops.
• Creators who don’t want to tweak encoder profiles and bitrates.

Unless you have very high upload speed and a reason to send separate outputs, the relay-style approach gives you more stability with less configuration.

StreamYard or Restream — which is better for Twitch + YouTube multistreaming?

Both StreamYard and Restream can send your stream to Twitch and YouTube at the same time. (StreamYard) (Restream Blog)

Where StreamYard tends to be the better default for most creators:

• Ease of use and learning curve
  Many users switched from more complex tools—like OBS or Streamlabs—to StreamYard because they found those setups convoluted and prefer our clean, intuitive interface.

• Guest experience
  Guests join with a link, in their browser, no downloads. Users tell us StreamYard “passes the grandparent test” and that guests can join easily and reliably without tech problems.

• Studio-style production
  You get layouts, branding, banners, overlays, and production control without having to wire up scenes and sources like you would in OBS.

Where a tool like Restream might be a better fit:

• You’re committed to staying in OBS for every part of your production and just need a cloud relay to distribute the signal.
• You want a free plan that allows you to stream to two platforms at once; Restream’s free plan supports two simultaneous platforms, with more destinations unlocked on paid plans. (Restream Blog)

For many creators, especially those working with remote guests or running recurring shows, StreamYard feels more like a full studio and less like a wiring diagram.

How can you stream to Twitch and YouTube for free?

If you’re testing the waters and want to keep costs at zero, you have a few options:

• Use a free multistream relay with OBS

  • Create a free Restream account and connect Twitch and YouTube.
  • With their free tier, you can stream to two platforms at once. (Restream Blog)
  • Set OBS to send one stream to Restream; they distribute it.

• Try StreamYard’s free trial of paid plans

  • We offer a 7‑day free trial of our paid plans.
  • During the trial, you can turn on multistreaming to Twitch and YouTube and experience the browser-based studio workflow without paying upfront.

Trade-offs with free approaches:

• You’ll likely spend more time configuring and troubleshooting OBS.
• You may hit branding or destination limits on free tiers.
• Some free plans can add watermarks or restrict advanced features.

For hobby streams, these trade-offs can be fine. When you start caring more about reliability, guest experience, and saving time every week, a paid plan with a simpler workflow tends to pay for itself quickly.

What we recommend

• Default choice: Use StreamYard’s multistreaming on a paid plan to go live to Twitch and YouTube from your browser with minimal setup.
• Technical path: If you’re already deep into OBS, pair it with a cloud relay like Restream or Streamlabs Multistream to distribute your stream.
• Low bandwidth: Prefer tools that use a cloud relay model so you only send one stream from your computer. (Streamlabs)
• Free testing: Start with a free relay plus OBS or use our 7‑day free trial, then upgrade once you know multistreaming is part of your regular content strategy.