Restream vs StreamYard
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Restream is a cloud-based multistreaming platform that lets creators broadcast a single live video feed to over 30 destinations at once, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Instead of running separate encoders for each platform, users stream once into Restream, which fans the feed out to every selected channel. Beyond multistreaming, Restream includes a browser-based studio for producing the stream (overlays, guests, scenes), live chat aggregation across platforms, and analytics. The free plan covers 2 channels with Restream branding, while paid tiers add more simultaneous channels, HD/4K support, and team features.
StreamYard is a browser-based studio that lets creators and businesses record content or stream live simultaneously to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and other destinations, without installing desktop software. It supports multiple on-screen participants, custom overlays and branded backgrounds, and has grown to over 12 million creators, with customer logos from Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and LinkedIn on its site. Pricing starts with a free plan covering essential studio features with StreamYard branding and 2 hours/month of local recording, scaling to a Core plan at $44.99/month (or $35.99/month billed annually) with 1080p, no branding, and multistreaming to 3 destinations, and an Advanced plan at $88.99/month (or $68.99/month annually) adding 4K recording, 8-destination multistreaming, and webinars for up to 100 viewers. Custom Business plans are also available for organizations.
- Genuinely useful free tier for creators just starting to multistream
- Browser-based studio removes the need for separate broadcasting software like OBS
- Chat aggregation makes it easier to engage viewers across platforms during a stream
- Wide platform coverage (30+ destinations) beyond just the major ones
- No software installation needed, works entirely through the browser
- Free plan is genuinely usable for casual creators, not just a trial
- Multistreaming to multiple platforms simultaneously saves re-recording or re-streaming effort
- AI clip generation helps repurpose long recordings into short-form social content
- Free plan is limited to 2 channels and carries Restream branding
- Higher tiers needed for HD/4K and larger channel counts get pricey for solo creators
- Clips add-on is a separate paid extra rather than included in plans
- Core and Advanced plans are priced noticeably higher than some browser-based competitors
- Free plan's 2-hour monthly recording limit and branding will push active creators to paid tiers quickly
- Business-tier custom pricing requires contacting sales rather than transparent self-serve rates
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Restream
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Free live streaming and recording app for multistreaming to social platforms.
Alternatives to StreamYard
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Free OBS-based streaming software with built-in overlays, alerts, and a premium creator suite.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth StreamYard and Restream let you multistream from a browser, but StreamYard offers built‑in AI clip creation and larger webinar capacity, while Restream supports far more destination platforms and a unified chat.
Key differences
- •StreamYard caps multistream destinations at 8 and includes AI‑generated short clips; Restream supports 30+ destinations but clips cost extra.
- •StreamYard’s webinar mode allows up to 100 viewers; Restream focuses on pure streaming with no dedicated webinar capacity.
- •Restream aggregates chat from all platforms into one view; StreamYard does not mention chat aggregation.
- •Free plan limits: StreamYard 2‑hour monthly recording; Restream 2‑channel streaming with branding.
- •Support channels differ: StreamYard offers email; Restream adds live‑chat support.
Pricing & value
Both have freemium tiers, but Restream’s free plan supports two channels versus StreamYard’s 2‑hour recording limit, offering more immediate value.
Ease of use / learning curve
Both run entirely in the browser with no installation; each provides a studio interface.
Features & depth
StreamYard adds AI‑generated clips, webinar mode (100 viewers), and downloadable transcripts not listed for Restream.
Integrations & ecosystem
Restream lists 30+ destinations and integrates with OBS; StreamYard supports up to 8 platforms and no OBS integration.
Collaboration
StreamYard supports up to 15 backstage participants and 10 on‑screen participants; Restream only mentions co‑producer mode in higher tiers.
Scalability
Restream can broadcast to many more platforms simultaneously, scaling larger audience reach.
Support
Restream offers live‑chat support; StreamYard provides only help‑center and email.
Choose Restream if…
Marketers or streamers prioritizing many destination platforms and unified chat.
Choose StreamYard if…
Creators needing webinars, AI clips, and larger on‑screen guest capacity.
Common questions
Which tool lets me stream to the most platforms at once?
Restream supports 30+ destinations; StreamYard caps at 8.
Do either of them include AI‑generated short clips?
Only StreamYard includes AI clip generation automatically; Restream offers clips as a paid add‑on.
Is there a free tier that allows me to host a webinar?
No. StreamYard’s webinar mode is only on the Advanced (paid) plan; Restream has no dedicated webinar feature.