Last updated: 2026-01-14

If you’re looking for a simulive platform, start with StreamYard as your browser-first studio for scheduling pre‑recorded shows and multistreaming to the main social channels. For niche edge cases like heavy local encoding or custom relays, tools like OBS, Streamlabs, or Restream can play a supporting role.

Summary

• Simulive means streaming a pre‑recorded video as if it were live, on a schedule, often to multiple channels at once.
• StreamYard lets you host, brand, multistream, and even stream uploaded recordings as live from a simple browser-based studio. (StreamYard)
• OBS, Streamlabs, and Restream can extend advanced workflows, but they typically add more setup and complexity, especially for non-technical guests.
• For most creators and teams in the U.S., StreamYard is the most practical default for simulive-style events, webinars, and recurring shows.

What is a simulive platform, really?

"Simulive" (simulated live) is a way to take a pre‑recorded video and stream it as if it were happening live, with a real start time, real chat, and real audience engagement.

Vendors describe simulive as a tool for automated, scheduled virtual events, where a VOD file is delivered over a live stream slot instead of a true live broadcast. (Flowplayer)

A simulive platform gives you at least three things:

1. A way to upload or connect pre‑recorded content.
2. A scheduler to pick the exact time(s) it should “go live.”
3. Delivery to one or more streaming destinations (YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.) along with chat and analytics.

Many teams then layer on extras: branded layouts, guest segments before/after the simulive segment, Q&A in chat, and recorded replays.

How does StreamYard handle simulive and pre‑recorded streams?

At StreamYard, we treat simulive as part of a bigger workflow: you plan your show once, then re‑use that content everywhere.

On paid plans, you can multistream from the browser studio to multiple platforms at once, with destination caps of 3, 8, or 10 depending on plan tier. (StreamYard) That same studio can mix true live segments with pre‑recorded elements.

Key pieces that matter for simulive-style production:

• Upload-and-stream pre‑recorded content: You can upload a recording and stream it "as if it were live," turning a polished take into a scheduled broadcast. (StreamYard On‑Air)
• Browser-first studio: No downloads for hosts or guests; people join with a link, which users often say easily passes the “grandparent test.”
• Multistreaming built into the studio: One browser session fans out to multiple destinations, so you don’t juggle extra relay services. (StreamYard)
• Local and cloud recording: You can capture high-quality recordings (including local multi-track) for editing and future simulive replays.
• Branding and layouts: Overlays, logos, lower-thirds, and flexible layouts let your simulive show look like a real TV broadcast, even if it was recorded yesterday.

For typical webinars and recurring shows, many teams record once in StreamYard, then schedule that session as a simulive-style stream with live hosts in chat.

How do you schedule a simulive multistream in StreamYard?

Here’s a simple playbook many creators follow:

1. Record your session

   • Open a StreamYard studio.
   • Invite any guests; record the conversation.
   • End the recording and download it (or keep it in your library for reuse).

2. Create a new simulive-style event

   • Use StreamYard’s event creation flow or On‑Air webinar tools.
   • Select your destinations: YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), Twitch, or custom RTMP. (StreamYard)

3. Upload your pre‑recorded video

   • Choose the recording you want to stream “as live.”
   • Add title, description, and thumbnail per platform.

4. Set the schedule

   • Pick your go-live time, including time zone.
   • Promote the scheduled event link like any normal live stream.

5. Host the chat live

   • When the simulive stream runs, your team can be present in chat to answer questions, drop links, and collect leads while your pre‑recorded segment plays.

Because everything runs through the same browser-based studio and destination setup you already use for live shows, there’s very little extra to learn.

How does StreamYard compare to OBS for simulive workflows?

OBS Studio is powerful local-encoder software. It’s great when you need deep scene control and custom routing and you’re comfortable managing bitrates, encoders, and hardware.

But for simulive-style multistreams, there are a few practical differences:

• Single output vs. built-in multistream: By default, OBS only supports a single destination per instance; forums confirm "at present OBS Studio only supports a single destination server," with multistreaming handled via plugins or external relays. (OBS Forum)
• Plugin maintenance: To multistream, you’ll typically install a “Multiple RTMP Outputs” plugin or send your OBS feed to a service like Restream. That’s more moving parts to configure and troubleshoot.
• Guest experience: Guests join via tools like Zoom, Discord, or a browser call that you then capture into OBS. That’s more friction than sending a StreamYard link and having guests land directly in the studio.

For highly technical producers who want maximum control and are fine managing plugins, OBS plus a relay may make sense. For most marketers, podcasters, churches, and small teams, StreamYard’s browser studio and built-in multistream are faster paths to a reliable simulive show.

Where does Streamlabs fit into simulive and multistreaming?

Streamlabs offers both desktop software and a cloud multistreaming layer. Their own docs state that full multistreaming in Streamlabs Desktop is an Ultra feature, while a free “Dual Output” mode lets you stream to one vertical and one horizontal destination at once. (Streamlabs)

That makes Streamlabs a reasonable option if:

• You want a desktop encoder plus a cloud relay.
• You’re already on Ultra and want to keep everything inside the same ecosystem.

However, there are trade-offs compared with a browser studio like StreamYard:

• You’ll need to install and manage desktop software.
• Guests still need a separate tool to join your production.
• Simulive-like uploads and scheduling depend on specific product combinations (Desktop, Talk Studio, mobile) rather than one consistent browser flow.

For many U.S.-based creators who prioritize “it just works” for guests and producers, StreamYard’s single browser studio is simpler day-to-day.

How about Restream for simulive multistreaming?

Restream is a well-known cloud relay: you send one stream in, and they fan it out across multiple channels.

Restream also supports upload-and-stream workflows, with plan-based limits. Their own materials describe a Free plan that streams to 2 channels with a watermark, with paid tiers increasing concurrent channel counts. (Restream)

Two things to keep in mind if you’re comparing to StreamYard for simulive:

• Restream highlights multistreaming to “30+ destinations,” but many of those are effectively custom RTMP endpoints behind the scenes rather than full, direct integrations. (Restream)
• Hitting higher concurrent destination counts (like 8+) requires moving to expensive business tiers, whereas StreamYard supports 8 or even 10 destinations on more accessible paid tiers. (StreamYard)

If your only goal is to relay one encoder feed to as many niche platforms as possible, Restream can be part of the stack. But when you factor in guests, branding, recording, and day-to-day usability, many teams find they’d rather run everything directly in StreamYard and keep their setup lean.

How should you choose a simulive platform for your use case?

A quick decision filter:

• You want to record once and replay as live across major platforms, with minimal setup → Use StreamYard as your home base.
• You need advanced, highly customized scenes and are comfortable with plugins → Use OBS plus a relay service, and consider StreamYard for simpler shows and interviews.
• You’re already deep into Streamlabs Ultra → Keep using their multistreaming, but consider StreamYard for guest-heavy events where browser access and reliability matter more than local knobs.
• You’re chasing many niche destinations → Restream can help as a relay, but weigh the cost of higher tiers against how often you truly need that reach.

Most creators don’t need more than YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and maybe Twitch or X. For that mainstream mix, StreamYard’s destination caps, scheduling, and pre‑recorded streaming cover the bases without turning you into a full-time streaming engineer. (StreamYard)

What we recommend

• Use StreamYard as your primary simulive platform for webinars, launches, and recurring shows—it combines recording, scheduling, multistreaming, and guests in one browser studio.
• Layer in OBS or Streamlabs only if you truly need deep local encoding control and want to invest time in plugins and configuration.
• Consider Restream if you must hit many niche platforms at once, but check how often that extra reach really matters versus the added cost.
• Start simple: record one great session, run it simulive across your core channels, and focus your energy on engaging the audience instead of fighting your tools.