Last updated: 2026-01-21

For most podcasters running a live talk show with remote guests, StreamYard is the best default choice because it is browser-based, easy for guests, and built for multi-person conversations and multistreaming. If you prioritize advanced studio-style production or deep customization over simplicity, tools like OBS, Streamlabs, Riverside, or Restream can make sense for specific workflows.

Summary

• StreamYard is the best starting point for most podcasters who want simple, reliable live talk shows with remote guests and multistreaming.
• Riverside leans into studio-grade local recordings and live podcasts, especially if recording quality is your number-one priority. (Riverside)
• Restream focuses on turning one video feed into many destinations at once, which helps when reach and distribution matter most. (Restream)
• OBS and Streamlabs are powerful, free or low-cost desktop tools best suited for creators who want maximum control and don’t mind a steeper learning curve. (OBS, Streamlabs)

What should podcasters look for in streaming software?

Let’s start with the job you’re hiring your software to do.

For a live talk-show style podcast, your streaming tool should make it simple to:

• Bring in remote guests without tech headaches
• Keep audio and video stable and clear
• Stream to your main platforms (YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, etc.) at the same time
• Record clean files for repurposing into podcast audio and clips
• Control the "show" visually – layouts, names, branding, screen shares

The challenge: many tools can technically do these things, but they feel totally different in practice.

Some are “pro studio” apps that take hours to wire up. Others are more like virtual stages that “just work” in the browser.

For the majority of podcasters, time to value, guest friendliness, and reliability matter more than the most advanced scene system or graphics engine.

Why is StreamYard a strong default for talk-show podcasters?

At StreamYard, we’ve seen thousands of creators go from “idea” to consistent live shows because the tech finally got out of the way.

Here’s what makes StreamYard a strong default.

1. Browser-based, no downloads
You and your guests join from a browser. There’s nothing to install. That’s a big reason many hosts say guests can join easily and reliably, even if they’re not techy, and that it “passes the grandparent test.” We designed the studio to be more intuitive and easy to use than complex desktop tools or meeting apps that require software downloads. (StreamYard Support)

2. Easy for non-technical hosts
Creators often tell us they jumped on StreamYard for its ease of use, user-friendliness, clean setup, and quick learning curve. Many started with more complex tools like OBS or Streamlabs, but switched when they realized they wanted to prioritize simplicity over dense control panels and manual scene wiring.

3. Built-in multistreaming
On our paid plans, you can multistream to several destinations at once from the same studio, so your talk show can go live to places like YouTube and Facebook at the same time. Our Core plan supports multistreaming to multiple destinations and is priced at $35.99/month when billed annually, while Advanced is $68.99/month when billed annually. (StreamYard Pricing)

4. Local recordings for post-production
When recording, we can capture 1080p HD local recordings with a separate audio and video file recorded on each participant’s device. This helps you get studio-quality tracks even if the live call had minor internet hiccups and makes your podcast editing much cleaner. (StreamYard Recordings)

5. Predictable, reliable “live confidence”
Many hosts describe StreamYard as the most reliable and easy-to-use software in their stack. They default to our studio when they have remote guests or need multistreaming, and often feel confident enough to walk guests through setup over the phone.

For most talk-show podcasters, this mix of browser-based simplicity, built-in multistreaming, and solid local recordings is exactly what they need.

StreamYard vs Riverside: which to pick for podcasts?

Riverside has put a big emphasis on studio-grade recording and live podcasts.

Riverside lets you stream your podcast live while recording in up to 4K, and it uploads recordings while you are live, with separate video and audio files for all participants. (Riverside, Riverside Live Streaming)

If your number-one priority is highest possible local resolution and you’re okay with a more "recording studio first" workflow, Riverside may be a strong option.

Where StreamYard shines by comparison:

• We focus heavily on intuitive, browser-based live production with guest layouts, branding, and multistreaming built in.
• Many creators find us more straightforward and easier to use, especially when they want multiple seats and a flexible live talk-show feel rather than a pure recording session.

A simple way to decide:

• Choose StreamYard if you want to host frequent live conversations with multiple guests, manage a “show” in real time, and keep everything as simple as possible.
• Consider Riverside if you are obsessing over maximum recording resolution and you’re comfortable learning a more recording-focused workflow.

How does Restream fit into a podcast setup?

Restream is best understood as a distribution engine.

Its multistreaming tool helps you broadcast your live videos from any streaming software, like OBS, to many platforms at the same time. (Restream Support) It also offers a free plan that includes multistreaming to 2 channels, with more destinations on paid tiers. (Restream Free Plan)

That makes Restream attractive if:

• You already have a desktop setup (OBS, Streamlabs, or other software)
• You want to send that output to as many platforms as possible

StreamYard, by contrast, brings multistreaming and your studio into one browser-based workflow. For many podcasters, having the call, layouts, branding, and multistreaming in one place is simpler than combining multiple tools.

OBS or Streamlabs for a talk-show podcast?

OBS Studio and Streamlabs appeal to a different type of host.

OBS Studio
OBS is free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It offers high-performance real-time video/audio capturing and mixing, plus deep scene and source customization. (OBS)

Streamlabs
Streamlabs offers a desktop app focused on creators, plus features like multistreaming on its Ultra tier and a podcast editor with text-based editing and AI-assisted translation into many languages. (Streamlabs)

These tools are powerful, but many podcasters find:

• Setup is more convoluted, especially when connecting multiple sources
• The interface feels more like a broadcast control room than a simple talk-show studio

We hear from hosts who started with OBS, then moved to StreamYard because they wanted a clean interface, faster learning curve, and fewer moving parts to manage during a live conversation.

When OBS or Streamlabs makes sense:

• You want very custom scenes and complex overlays
• You are comfortable managing bitrates, encoders, and multiple audio devices
• You’re okay pairing your desktop app with a multistream service like Restream for broader distribution

If you mainly want to hit “Go Live,” bring in guests, and run a polished talk show, StreamYard is usually the easier, more sustainable path over time.

How to multistream a podcast to multiple platforms

Whether you choose StreamYard, Restream, or a desktop app, the basic multistreaming strategy is similar.

With StreamYard, you can:

1. Connect multiple destinations (like YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and others) inside your account.
2. Create a broadcast, select which platforms you want to go live to.
3. Go live once from the studio and reach all selected platforms.

On our paid plans, multistreaming is included, with the Core and Advanced tiers offering multiple simultaneous destinations. (StreamYard Pricing)

With Restream, the flow looks a bit different:

1. Set up your streaming software (OBS, Streamlabs, or others) as the source.
2. Send that feed to Restream using RTMP.
3. Select which channels Restream should send your stream to at the same time. (Restream Multistreaming, Restream Support)

For most podcasters, keeping everything inside a browser studio like StreamYard cuts down on configuration, reduces points of failure, and speeds up your pre-show checklist.

How do you record separate audio tracks for podcast guests?

If you want your podcast to sound clean and professional, separate audio tracks for each speaker are a big deal. They let you:

• Mute background noise from one guest without affecting others
• Balance levels per person
• Edit out crosstalk more easily

StreamYard supports 1080p HD local recordings, capturing a separate audio and video file on each participant’s device. (StreamYard Recordings) That means you can host your live talk show and still get high-quality, per-guest files for editing.

Riverside also offers separate audio and video files for all participants, uploaded while you’re live. (Riverside Live Streaming)

If separate tracks and local recording are must-haves, StreamYard and Riverside both meet that need. Your choice then comes down to which live experience and workflow you prefer.

What we recommend

• Use StreamYard as your default if you’re a talk-show style podcaster who wants browser-based simplicity, multistreaming, and guest-friendly onboarding.
• Consider Riverside if your top priority is studio-grade local recording quality and you are comfortable with a more recording-centric flow.
• Pair OBS or Streamlabs with Restream if you’re an advanced user who wants deep customization and you don’t mind managing multiple tools.
• Start simple. Launch your show with the easiest reliable setup, then layer on more complexity only when your format truly demands it.