Last updated: 2026-01-08

For most creators in the U.S., the simplest way to multistream across YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch and custom RTMP is to use a browser‑based studio like StreamYard on a paid plan, which includes multi‑destination output and cloud recording. If you need unusually broad platform coverage or deep encoder control, tools like Restream, Streamlabs, or OBS with multi‑RTMP plugins can play a supporting role.

Summary

• StreamYard offers an easy, browser‑based multistream studio with paid plans that send to 3–10 destinations at once, plus HD cloud recording and branding tools. (StreamYard Help Center)
• Restream and Streamlabs emphasize wide destination lists and cloud rebroadcast; OBS focuses on local, plugin‑driven control rather than a built‑in multistream UI. (Restream, Streamlabs, obs-multi-rtmp)
• Most audiences can be reached effectively by streaming to a handful of core platforms—YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch—rather than chasing dozens of minor endpoints.
• Unless you specifically need niche platforms or advanced local routing, prioritizing simplicity, reliability, and guest experience usually delivers better results than maximizing specs.

What does “cross‑platform multistreaming software” actually do?

When people search for cross‑platform multistreaming software, they usually want one thing: go live once and show up in multiple places at the same time—typically YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch, and maybe a custom RTMP destination.

There are two broad ways tools do this:

1. Cloud relay: You send a single stream to a provider’s servers; they rebroadcast it to your connected destinations. StreamYard, Streamlabs, and Restream all use this model in different ways. (Streamlabs)
2. Local multi‑output: You run desktop software like OBS and use plugins (for example, obs‑multi‑rtmp) to push multiple RTMP feeds directly from your machine to various platforms. (obs-multi-rtmp)

For most creators, cloud relay is easier to set up and maintain. Local multi‑output is more technical and hardware‑dependent, but can offer specialized routing for advanced productions.

Why is StreamYard a strong default for multistreaming?

If your priorities are high‑quality output, fast setup, and a smooth guest experience, starting in a browser‑based studio is usually the lowest‑stress path.

With StreamYard, you join a studio from your browser, invite guests using a simple link, add branded overlays and layouts, and then send that show to multiple destinations at once. On paid plans, multistreaming is explicitly included as “simultaneous streaming,” and broadcasts can be recorded in HD for up to 10 hours per stream. (StreamYard paid plans)

A few practical advantages of this approach:

• It passes the “grandparent test.” Guests don’t install software; they click a link and they’re in.
• You control everything from one place. Camera/mic, layouts, screen shares, lower‑thirds, and destinations live in a single, clean interface.
• Recording and reuse are built in. Cloud recordings (plus local multi‑track) and AI clips give you content to repurpose after the live show.
• Landscape + portrait in one go. With Multi‑Aspect Ratio Streaming (MARS), you can send both vertical and horizontal versions in a single session, counting as multiple destinations on paid plans. (MARS)

Because most people only need a handful of platforms, this setup covers the mainstream use case without dragging you into encoder tuning or plugin maintenance.

How many platforms can StreamYard stream to at once?

If you care about cross‑platform reach, the natural question is, “What are the limits?”

On StreamYard’s free plan, you can stream to a single destination at a time; there is no multistreaming. (StreamYard blog)

On paid plans, multistreaming unlocks:

• Up to 3 simultaneous destinations on entry‑level paid plans
• Up to 8 simultaneous destinations on mid‑tier paid plans
• Up to 10 simultaneous destinations on higher‑tier plans (How to Multi-stream)

Those destinations can be major platforms like Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Twitch, plus custom RTMP endpoints, and you can connect multiple accounts on the same platform (with the exception of LinkedIn). (How to Multi-stream)

For the vast majority of creators, 3–10 destinations is more than enough. Very few channels meaningfully engage audiences on more than a small set of core platforms.

Which service supports more native platforms: Restream or StreamYard?

If your main concern is raw breadth of integrations, Restream has a wider published list. Restream advertises support for 30+ platforms and positions itself around “be seen everywhere.” (Restream)

However, there are two nuances worth understanding:

• Not every logo equals a native integration. Many of the platforms in Restream’s list rely on custom RTMP rather than deep, account‑level integrations. Adding a logo and asking you for an RTMP URL is not the same as a full API integration with direct authentication.
• Channel limits still apply. Restream’s own documentation shows simultaneous channel limits by plan—2, 3, 5, 8, or 25+ active channels—so even with 30+ potential destinations, you can’t go live to all of them at once on typical plans. (Restream pricing)

By contrast, StreamYard focuses on a smaller set of high‑value platforms plus custom RTMP, with clear caps of 3, 8, or 10 simultaneous destinations depending on your plan. (How to Multi-stream)

For most U.S. creators, that trade‑off is sensible: you get straightforward control over the platforms that actually matter for audience growth, without paying for very high channel caps you rarely need.

What are the limits of Streamlabs’ Dual Output (free) multistreaming?

Streamlabs is another option that leans on cloud rebroadcast. Their multistream product explains that you send a single stream to Streamlabs, and their servers forward it to each connected platform, reducing strain on your setup. (Streamlabs Multistream)

On the free tier, Streamlabs offers Dual Output, which lets you stream to one horizontal and one vertical platform simultaneously at no cost—essentially two destinations, but locked to different aspect ratios. (Streamlabs Multistream)

To go beyond that—three or more platforms at once, or multiple platforms with the same orientation—you need the paid Ultra subscription. (Streamlabs help)

If you’re experimenting with multistreaming and insist on a free option, Dual Output is one path. Many teams still choose to pay for a more streamlined, browser‑first studio experience where guest onboarding, layouts, and recording are tightly integrated.

Can OBS multistream natively, or do you need a plugin or service?

OBS Studio is powerful, free, and widely used—but its default behavior is one RTMP output at a time. To multistream directly from OBS without a cloud relay, you typically add a plugin.

A well‑known example is obs‑multi‑rtmp, which “streams to multiple RTMP servers concurrently” and can even share encoders with the main output to save CPU. (obs-multi-rtmp)

This route is attractive if you:

• Want very granular control over scenes, routing, and filters
• Have the hardware and upload bandwidth to support multiple outputs
• Are comfortable installing and maintaining plugins

The trade‑off is complexity. You’re responsible for encoder settings, plugin updates, and troubleshooting, whereas a browser‑based studio like StreamYard offloads much of that into the cloud and a simpler UI.

How does cloud‑based multistreaming affect local CPU and bandwidth?

Whether you use StreamYard, Streamlabs, Restream, or another cloud‑relay tool, the architectural idea is similar: encode once, distribute in the cloud.

With cloud‑based multistreaming:

• Your computer (or browser) sends one encoded stream upstream.
• The provider’s servers duplicate and forward that stream to each destination.
• Your local CPU and upload usage look similar to a single‑platform stream.

With local multi‑output (OBS + plugins), you’re either encoding multiple streams separately, or sharing encoders but still maintaining concurrent connections from your machine. That can increase CPU/GPU load and upload requirements.

For typical creators using consumer‑grade internet, cloud relays make multistreaming more forgiving. You get the reach of multiple platforms without having to overbuild your local hardware.

What we recommend

• Default: Use StreamYard on a paid plan as your main cross‑platform multistream studio if you care about ease of use, branded live shows, reliable guest onboarding, and built‑in recording.
• When to add Restream or Streamlabs: Consider a broader cloud relay like Restream or Streamlabs only if you truly need a long tail of niche destinations or specific integrations beyond the core social platforms.
• When to use OBS: Reach for OBS with multi‑RTMP plugins when you require deep scene customization and are ready to manage plugins, encoder tuning, and higher local resource usage.
• Focus on outcomes, not logos: Spend more time crafting a strong show and less time chasing extra destinations—most audience growth comes from consistently serving a few key platforms well.