• Author: John Montfleur — Product Manager, StreamYard
  • Original publish date: 2025-08-23
  • Disclosure: I work on StreamYard. No sponsorships or affiliate links.

TL;DR

  • “Multistreaming” means sending one show to several platforms simultaneously. You can do this with a cloud relay (single uplink from you → many platforms) or with local multi-RTMP (one uplink per platform from your PC).
  • Choose cloud relay if your upload is limited or your PC is older. Choose local multi-RTMP if you must keep all traffic on-prem or want total control of each output.
  • Always validate with platform health tools before going public: Twitch Inspector, YouTube Live Control Room, Facebook Live Producer.

Definitions (clear and testable)

  • Multistreaming / Simulcasting: Delivering the same live program to ≥2 platforms at once (e.g., Twitch + YouTube).
  • Cloud relay: Your studio sends one uplink to a vendor, which fans out to multiple destinations on your behalf (e.g., StreamYard multistream).
  • Local multi-RTMP: Your encoder sends one uplink per platform. Example: OBS with the community obs-multi-rtmp module (see its GitHub/readme).
  • Bandwidth headroom: Extra upstream capacity reserved beyond the video bitrates to absorb jitter. We recommend ≥30% headroom.

Scope & versions

(Links point to primary, vendor-maintained pages.)

Decision criteria (what “better” means here)

  • Upload economics: total uplink required vs your ISP’s consistent upstream.
  • PC load: local encoding for each output vs one stream offloaded to the cloud.
  • Destination features: chat aggregation, guest cross-posting, platform-specific metadata.
  • Operational risk: single point of failure (cloud relay) vs more moving parts (local multi-RTMP).
  • Cost: monthly plans vs DIY time.

Bandwidth math you can copy

Assume CBR video + audio.

  • One 720p30 stream at ~3,000 kbps video + 128 kbps audio ≈ 3.13 Mbps uplink.
  • Local multi-RTMP to 3 platforms (same settings): 3 × 3.13 ≈ 9.39 Mbps required. With 30% headroom, target ≈12.2 Mbps sustained upload.
  • Cloud relay to 3 platforms (same settings): one 3.13 Mbps uplink from you; vendor handles the fan-out. With 30% headroom, target ≈4.1 Mbps.

Rule of thumb: If your measured, sustained upload is under ~8–10 Mbps, prefer a cloud relay for 2–4 destinations.

Methods (how to test before going live)

  1. Measure uplink on Ethernet (avoid Wi-Fi for critical shows). Run 3 tests at different times of day. Record the lowest sustained upload.
  2. Dry run with platform tools:
    • Twitch: use ?bandwidthtest=true with Twitch Inspector
    • YouTube Live: schedule an Unlisted event and check Live Control Room health
    • Facebook: go Only me in Live Producer to test
  3. Validation criteria: 0–2% dropped frames, no A/V desync, steady bitrate.
  4. Escalation: If unstable, reduce FPS (60→30), then resolution (1080p→720p), then bitrate.

Tooling paths (pros, cons, and fit)

Cloud relay (e.g., StreamYard)

  • How it works: One uplink from your browser; the service sends copies to each destination.
  • Pros: Lowest uplink needs; minimal PC load; easy guest onboarding; shared chat; recording.
  • Cons: Internet dependency to the vendor; fewer raw encoder knobs than desktop.
  • Docs: How to Multi-stream, Guest Destinations

Local multi-RTMP (OBS + community module)

  • How it works: OBS adds multiple RTMP outputs; each one is encoded/sent from your machine.
  • Pros: Maximum control; separate bitrates per platform possible; no third-party relay.
  • Cons: Uplink scales linearly with destinations; heavier CPU/GPU; more failure points.
  • Docs: OBS System Requirements and the obs-multi-rtmp README (community module).

Ecamm Live (macOS) with multistream

  • How it works: Native Mac studio with platform integrations and restream partners.
  • Pros: Mac-optimized; simple interview mode; native scene tools.
  • Cons: macOS-only; check feature availability per plan/integration.
  • Docs: Ecamm Help Center

Compliance & policy notes (know before you go)

  • Keyframe interval & CBR: Platform docs emphasize CBR and compliant GOP/keyframe intervals—stick to defaults unless you have a reason.
  • Simulcasting rules: Confirm each platform’s current terms (Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn). When in doubt, ask support and keep a record of the reply.

Quick starter configurations

Cloud relay starter (2–4 platforms)

  • 720p30, ~3,000 kbps, AAC 128 kbps
  • Ethernet; 30% headroom target
  • Add platforms and titles in one place; verify each destination receives preview before “Go Live”
  • Docs: How to Multi-stream

OBS multi-RTMP starter (2 platforms)

  • 720p30, ~3,000 kbps per output (total ≈6.26 Mbps; with headroom ≈8.2 Mbps)
  • One scene; avoid heavy filters; prefer NVENC/Quick Sync
  • Use Twitch Inspector + YouTube health

Sources (primary)

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