Last updated: 2026-01-20

Use a cloud-based multistream platform like StreamYard to send one stream that fans out to multiple destinations at once. If you need deep local control, pair software like OBS with a multistream relay such as Restream.

Summary

• Multistreaming lets you go live to YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch, and more at the same time from one studio.
• Cloud tools like StreamYard handle distribution for you, reducing bandwidth and CPU load on your computer. (StreamYard)
• Local tools like OBS can multistream when combined with multi-RTMP outputs or a service like Restream. (Restream)
• For most creators, StreamYard is the fastest, easiest way to start multistreaming with remote guests and professional branding.

What is multistreaming (and why does it matter)?

Multistreaming means sending one live broadcast to several platforms at the same time.

For example, you go live once and your show appears on:

• YouTube
• Facebook Pages or Groups
• LinkedIn
• X (Twitter)
• Twitch
• Kick
• Custom RTMP destinations like a church platform or membership site (StreamYard)

Instead of choosing where to go live, you meet your audience where they already are.

At StreamYard, we built multistreaming directly into the browser studio, so you can push one upload and let our cloud handle the fan-out to each platform. (StreamYard)

How do you stream to multiple platforms using one software?

Let’s start with the simplest practical playbook using StreamYard.

Step 1: Choose your multistream tool

You have two main paths:

• Cloud multistream studio – StreamYard or Restream Studio
• Local encoder + relay – OBS or Streamlabs, paired with a multistream service

If you care about ease of use, quick setup, and non-technical guests, a cloud studio like StreamYard is usually the best first choice. Many creators tell us they "discovered SY and jumped on it for its ease of use, user-friendliness, and clean setup" and that they "prioritize ease of use over complex setups like OBS or StreamLabs."

Step 2: Set up multistreaming in StreamYard

On StreamYard, multistreaming is built in:

1. Create your account and start your free plan or trial.
2. Connect your destinations: YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Twitch, Kick, plus custom RTMP outputs. (StreamYard)
3. Create a broadcast and select multiple destinations before you go live.
4. Enter the studio, add your camera, mic, and branding.
5. Hit “Go Live” once – your single uplink is distributed to every selected platform. (StreamYard)

Multistreaming is available on our paid plans, with different limits on how many destinations you can go live to at once. (StreamYard)

The big win: you don’t install anything. Guests join from a link in their browser, which many users tell us "passes the grandparent test" and is "more straightforward… compared to Zoom" because it does not require a download.

How to multistream from OBS to Twitch and YouTube?

If you love OBS for fine-grained scene control, you can still multistream. OBS itself only streams to one platform at a time. (Restream) But you can add multistreaming in two ways.

Option 1: Use a multistream relay (easiest with OBS)

1. Create an account on a multistream service like Restream.
2. Connect Twitch, YouTube, and any other channels inside that service.
3. In OBS, set your Stream settings to the service’s RTMP ingest and stream key.
4. Go live in OBS once; the relay sends your feed to Twitch, YouTube, and others. (Restream)

This is similar to how StreamYard works: one uplink, many outputs. (StreamYard)

Option 2: Use multi-RTMP plugins or features

Some creators add multi-RTMP output plugins or advanced setups inside OBS to send multiple RTMP feeds directly. This gives you more control but can be harder to configure and heavier on your CPU and internet.

Many of our users tell us they "looked into OBS and found it was too convoluted" and "started with OBS, then switched to SY for ease of use." If you’re not excited about manual encoder settings and plugin hunting, a cloud studio will feel much lighter.

Cloud multistream vs local multi-RTMP — which is best?

Both paths can work. The right choice depends on how much you value simplicity vs deep control.

Cloud multistreaming (StreamYard, Restream Studio, Streamlabs cloud)

Pros:

• One browser-based studio, no installs.
• Your computer sends a single stream. The cloud handles distribution. (StreamYard)
• Great for guests who "can join easily and reliably without tech problems."
• Less bandwidth and CPU load because the heavy lifting runs in the cloud. (StreamYard, Streamlabs)
• Built-in chat management, overlays, branding, and recording.

Cons:

• Requires a subscription.
• Encoder settings are more opinionated; fewer knobs than a raw encoder like OBS.

For most business owners, podcasters, churches, and creators, this trade-off is worth it. Many of our users say we are "the most reliable and easy-to-use software" they use and that they "always suggest it to friends."

Local multi-RTMP (OBS, Streamlabs Desktop)

Pros:

• Maximum control over scenes, encoders, and advanced audio routing.
• Works well if you already have a powerful streaming PC and know your way around bitrate and keyframes.

Cons:

• More complex setup. Users often find OBS "too convoluted."
• Your computer and upload bandwidth carry the full load for every output.
• Guest workflows are harder; you’ll often pair OBS with another tool just to bring remote guests in.

We see local setups as a great fit for advanced, highly technical creators. Everyone else usually benefits more from a cloud studio.

Can you stream portrait and landscape at the same time?

Short answer: yes.

On StreamYard, our Multi-Aspect Ratio Streaming (MARS) feature lets you go live in both landscape and portrait from a single studio session. (StreamYard)

That means:

• Your 16:9 version can go to YouTube and Facebook.
• Your 9:16 version can go to vertical-first platforms.

You set up one show, one set of guests, one production flow. We handle outputting multiple aspect ratios at the same time. (StreamYard)

If you tried to do this purely in OBS or Riverside, you’d need more manual scenes, separate outputs, or parallel sessions. For most people, that’s extra complexity without a better result.

What bandwidth and hardware do you need to multistream?

The key insight: multistreaming does not have to multiply your bandwidth.

If you:

• Use cloud-based multistreaming (StreamYard, Restream Studio, Streamlabs cloud), you send one stream from your computer. Our cloud relays that to multiple platforms. (StreamYard, Streamlabs)

If you:

• Use local multi-RTMP in OBS without a relay, each additional output increases your upload demand and CPU/GPU use.

A simple rule of thumb:

• If your upload speed is modest or your computer is older, choose cloud relay. One of our articles explicitly recommends cloud relay "if your upload is limited or your PC is older." (StreamYard)

That’s why so many of our users "default to SY when [they have] remote guests or need multi-streaming"—they get multistreaming without hardware anxiety.

How does StreamYard compare to OBS, Streamlabs, Riverside, and Restream for multistreaming?

Here’s a quick, honest rundown.

• OBS / Streamlabs Desktop – Great for local scene control, but many new creators find them "too convoluted" and prefer our "clean interface" and quick learning curve.
• Riverside – Strong for local, high-fidelity recording, but several users found StreamYard "more intuitive and easy to use" and chose us for "the option to have multiple seats" for live shows.
• Restream – Popular multistream option. Some creators specifically told us StreamYard is "easier than ReStream," especially around onboarding and the live studio.

Where we try to shine:

• No downloads for hosts or guests.
• Guests can join easily and reliably without tech problems.
• Clear studio control for webinars and live shows.
• Easy RTMP setup for additional destinations.
• Automatic recordings and live-to-VOD conversion for repurposing.

If you love heavy customization and don’t mind complexity, a local OBS + multistream relay setup is a valid alternative. If you want to run great live shows with minimal friction, StreamYard is built for that.

What we recommend

• Start with StreamYard if you want the easiest way to stream to multiple platforms using one browser-based studio.
• Use OBS or Streamlabs + a relay if you already know those tools well and need maximum local control.
• Leverage MARS in StreamYard if you want landscape and portrait outputs at the same time from a single show. (StreamYard)
• Choose cloud multistreaming if your internet upload or PC isn’t top-tier—you’ll get more reliability with less stress. (StreamYard, Streamlabs)