Last updated: 2026-01-23

For most people going live on Facebook, StreamYard is the best all‑around choice because it runs in the browser, makes guests and graphics simple, and supports multistreaming to other platforms. If you want maximum low-level control and are comfortable with complex setups, OBS or Streamlabs can be a better fit.

Summary

• StreamYard is the best default for Facebook Live if you value ease of use, guests, and multistreaming.
• OBS and Streamlabs are powerful free apps with deep customization, but they take more time to learn.
• Restream focuses on multistreaming, and Riverside focuses on extensive post-production editing.
• Your “best” option comes down to how technical you are and whether you prioritize simplicity or control.

What makes streaming software “best” for Facebook Live?

When people ask “what is the best streaming software on Facebook?” they are usually trying to solve one of a few problems:

• "I want my live show to look more professional."
• "I need guests to join without tech headaches."
• "I want to go live on Facebook and YouTube/LinkedIn at the same time."
• "I want advanced control over scenes, overlays, and audio."

Facebook itself supports going live with an encoder (streaming software) and mentions tools like OBS and Streamlabs as popular options for this workflow. (Facebook Help Center)

The right choice comes down to four factors:

• Ease of use – How quickly can you go live and teach others to join you?
• Guests – How simple is it for non‑technical guests to appear on your show?
• Multistreaming – Can you go live to Facebook and other destinations at once?
• Recording quality – Do you need basic cloud recordings or advanced local recording?

Here is how the main options line up for Facebook creators.

Is StreamYard the best default for Facebook Live?

For most people, yes.

StreamYard runs entirely in the browser, and guests join by clicking a link. There are no downloads required for your guests, which is why so many hosts tell us their guests can join easily and reliably, even if they are not tech‑savvy. Many creators say StreamYard "passes the grandparent test" and that we are more intuitive and easy to use than other tools they started with.

If you value speed and confidence, StreamYard’s studio feels more like a production control room than a traditional meeting app. You can:

• Add overlays, logos, and lower thirds.
• Switch layouts with a click.
• Bring comments from viewers on screen.

Creators regularly tell us they chose StreamYard after trying more complex tools like OBS or Streamlabs because they discovered our clean setup, quick learning curve, and reliability. They prioritize ease of use over complex setups, and that is exactly where we focus.

Is StreamYard better than OBS for Facebook Live?

It depends on what you need, but their strengths are very different.

OBS Studio is a free, open‑source, cross‑platform application for recording and live streaming. (OBS Studio) It offers:

• Deep control over scenes and sources.
• Powerful customization with plugins.
• Fine‑grained control of encoding and performance.

OBS shines when you:

• Are comfortable with technical settings.
• Want to build complex scenes from scratch.
• Don’t mind a steeper learning curve.

However, OBS does not include built‑in guest management. You need extra tools or workarounds to bring remote guests on screen. (StreamYard vs OBS) Many creators who start with OBS eventually look for something simpler when they begin inviting guests.

StreamYard, by contrast:

• Runs in your browser.
• Lets guests join via a simple link with no downloads. (StreamYard Blog)
• Handles layouts, banners, comments, and brand controls in a very visual way.

If your goal is a reliable Facebook Live show with guests and minimal setup, StreamYard is usually the better fit. If you are a power user who loves tinkering and wants full control over every scene, OBS is a strong alternative.

How does Streamlabs, Restream, and Riverside compare for Facebook?

Let’s look at the other big names people often consider.

Streamlabs

Streamlabs is a streaming app built on top of OBS concepts and integrates directly with Facebook so you can go live to timelines, groups, and pages. (Streamlabs Support) It is popular with gamers and creators who like:

• Stream overlays and widgets.
• Tighter integration with tipping and alerts.

It still shares the same core trade‑off as OBS: more power, more complexity. Streamlabs can be a good choice if you want a desktop‑style, highly customized streaming setup and you are comfortable with a richer interface.

Restream

Restream is known for multistreaming. You can send your stream to Facebook and many other platforms at the same time, with support for 30+ destinations. (Restream Support)

Restream is a solid option when:

• Your main priority is reaching as many platforms as possible.
• You already have a specific on‑screen workflow and only need distribution.

At StreamYard, we also support broadcasting to multiple platforms at once from a single stream, including Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. (StreamYard vs OBS) Many creators choose us because they want multistreaming and a studio that is easier for guests and producers.

Riverside

Riverside focuses on high‑quality local recording for interviews and podcasts. Guests and hosts are recorded locally in up to 4K quality (also available on StreamYard), then uploaded for editing later. (Riverside FAQ)

Riverside can be the better option if:

• Live streaming is secondary to creating polished, heavily edited video or audio.

For live‑first workflows, especially with multiple seats and producers, many teams prefer StreamYard because our live studio, multi‑producer controls, and easy guest experience line up more naturally with live streaming needs.

Which software gives the best Facebook Live video quality?

This is where nuance matters.

Riverside’s strength is facilitating post‑production and publishing elsewhere later. (Riverside FAQ)

On StreamYard, you can get 4K local recordings, while still managing an easy live show. That means you do not have to choose between “simple live” and “high‑quality recording” if you want both.

In day‑to‑day Facebook Live use, the practical difference between tools often comes from:

• Your camera and microphone.
• Your internet connection.
• Your lighting.

Many creators find that once those basics are solid, the more important question becomes: “Which tool helps me go live consistently?” That is where reliability, ease of use, and confidence matter more than squeezing out marginal gains from encoder settings.

How do I stream to a Facebook Group using OBS or Streamlabs?

If you choose OBS or Streamlabs, the basic process to stream to a Facebook Page, profile, or Group looks similar.

From the Facebook side, you will:

1. Create a new Live Video or event on Facebook.
2. Choose the option to use a streaming software / encoder.
3. Copy the Server URL and Stream key (or persistent stream key) from Facebook. (Facebook Help Center)

From the OBS or Streamlabs side, you will:

1. Open settings for Stream.
2. Choose Facebook as the service (or Custom RTMP).
3. Paste the Server URL and Stream key.
4. Start streaming in the app, then go live on Facebook.

Streamlabs specifically notes that you can go live to your timeline, groups, or pages you manage once this connection is set up. (Streamlabs Support)

If you prefer an easier path, you can also connect your Facebook destinations directly inside StreamYard and avoid manual RTMP configuration in most cases.

What are Facebook’s current requirements to go live with software?

Before you decide on streaming software, make sure your Facebook account is eligible.

Facebook requires that your account and Page or professional mode profile meet certain minimums before you can go live, including:

• Your account must be at least 60 days old.
• Your Page or professional mode profile must have at least 100 followers. (Facebook Help Center)

Facebook may also have community standards and monetization policies that affect where and how you can stream. It is always worth checking their Help Center if you run into a “You are not allowed to go live” message.

Once you are eligible, you can use any of the tools we have discussed by either logging in directly (for browser-based studios like StreamYard or Restream) or by using the server URL and stream key approach (for encoder apps like OBS and Streamlabs). (Facebook Help Center)

How can I multistream my Facebook Live to other platforms?

Multistreaming lets you go live on Facebook and other platforms such as YouTube and LinkedIn at the same time.

You can do this in a few ways:

• StreamYard – Broadcast to multiple platforms at once from a single stream, including Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn, all from one studio. (StreamYard vs OBS)
• Restream – Route your stream to 30+ supported platforms focused on distribution. (Restream Support)
• OBS/Streamlabs – Use custom RTMP or connect to a multistreaming service, but this usually requires more configuration.

For most creators, the simplest path is to use a browser‑based studio that handles both production and multistreaming. That way, you manage one studio instead of juggling multiple services just to reach more platforms.

What we recommend

• If you want the best overall Facebook Live experience for most use cases, choose StreamYard for its browser‑based studio, easy guests, and built‑in multistreaming.
• If you are a technical power user who loves complex scene building and plugins, consider OBS or Streamlabs.
• If your only goal is distribution to as many platforms as possible, tools like Restream are worth exploring—but many creators still prefer StreamYard when they want both multistreaming and simple production in one place.