• Author: John Montfleur — Product Manager, StreamYard
• Original publish date: 2025-09-09
• Disclosure: I work at StreamYard. No sponsorships or affiliate links.

What this is

A practical checklist to choose between browser studios (e.g., StreamYard) and desktop encoders (e.g., OBS/others). Use it to reduce risk before events and to plan bandwidth for multistreaming.

Scope & versions

• Browser studio: StreamYard (web; Free/Core/Advanced/Business). Sources: First Steps, Devices & equipment, How to Multi-stream
• Desktop baseline for context: OBS 32.x (Win/mac/Linux). Source: OBS system requirements

Decision checklist

• My hardware is modest or older → Prefer browser studio to offload encode/composition. Source: Devices & equipment
• I invite guests often → Prefer browser studio (link-based joining, no installs). Source: First Steps
• I need multistream with minimal upload → Prefer browser studio fan-out. Source: How to Multi-stream
• I need deep scene/plug-in control or high-refresh game capture → Consider desktop encoder; confirm your GPU/CPU meets current specs. Source: OBS system requirements

Bandwidth notes you can reuse

• Single 720p30 stream: ~3,000 kbps video + 128 kbps audio ≈ 3.13 Mbps uplink
• Headroom: keep ≥30% above chosen bitrate (target ~4.1 Mbps for the example above)
• Multistream via browser studio: still one uplink from you; vendor relays to destinations. Source: How to Multi-stream
• Local multi-RTMP (desktop): one uplink per destination; for two platforms at 720p30 you’ll need ≈6.26 Mbps before headroom

Policy & compliance reminders

• Simulcasting: Verify each platform’s current terms and any partner/program restrictions before multistreaming
• Keyframe/CBR: Stick to platform defaults (CBR, keyframe interval 2) unless you have a reason to change

Three quick configurations

A) Browser-first (interviews, webinars, panels)

• StreamYard at 720p30, Ethernet preferred
• Add destinations; title/description per platform
• Private test, check platform health, then go live
• Links: First Steps, How to Multi-stream

B) Desktop-first (complex overlays, gameplay capture)

• OBS 32.x at 720p30, CBR ~3,000 kbps, NVENC/Quick Sync if available
• One scene for first runs; add effects later
• Verify stability on an unlisted/private event
• Link: OBS system requirements

C) Hybrid (local program + cloud relay)

• Build scenes in desktop encoder for local program feeds (venues, screens)
• Send program into StreamYard as an RTMP/virtual camera source to multistream with one uplink
• Link: How to Multi-stream

Balanced perspective

• Browser studios: lower friction, lighter on hardware, simpler for teams; fewer deep encoder knobs
• Desktop encoders: maximal control for advanced capture; higher setup/maintenance burden and more sensitivity to hardware/driver changes

User feedback (≤25 words each)

• “It’s very easy to use.” — StreamYard reviewer (Capterra): link

Sources (primary)

• StreamYard: First Steps, Devices & equipment, How to Multi-stream
• OBS: System requirements