6 Best Restream Alternatives for Live Streaming in 2025

Expanding your reach across multiple platforms is essential for streamers, businesses, and creators who want to engage diverse audiences in real-time. While tools like Restream have made multistreaming accessible and efficient, they may not be the perfect fit for everyone. Factors like cost, specific platform needs, or a preference for greater control over the streaming setup often lead users to explore alternative options.

Luckily, a wide range of alternatives exists—whether you’re seeking something more affordable, feature-packed, or completely customizable. This blog highlights some of the top alternatives to Restream, covering free, paid, and self-hosted solutions to help you maximize your streaming potential.

What is Restream?

Restream is a cloud-based multistreaming platform that allows users to broadcast live content to multiple destinations simultaneously, such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and LinkedIn. It’s known for its user-friendly interface, built-in analytics, and branding tools.

Why Look for Restream Alternatives?

Cost: Restream’s pricing might be high for some users, especially when scaling.

Limitations: Certain features like custom RTMP destinations and advanced analytics are locked behind higher-tier plans.

Flexibility: Some users prefer tools with different workflows, integrations, or a self-hosted approach for privacy and control.

Table of Best Restream Alternatives

Tool	Free/Paid	Starting Price	Key Features	Best For
StreamYard	Paid	$20/month	Browser-based, multistreaming, branding	Beginners, small businesses
OBS Studio	Free	Free	Open source, plugin support	Developers, tech-savvy users
vMix	Paid	$60 (one-time)	Live production, multistreaming	Professional broadcasters
Castr	Paid	$9.99/month	Cloud-based multistreaming, analytics	Budget users
Nginx with RTMP	Free	Free (self-hosted)	Custom server, full control	Tech-savvy, privacy-focused
Streamlabs	Paid	$19/month	Multistreaming, overlays, alerts	Gamers, casual streamers

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Top Restream Alternatives

1. StreamYard

StreamYard is a browser-based live streaming tool that simplifies the process of multistreaming for beginners and small businesses. Unlike Restream, it doesn’t require any software installation, making it incredibly user-friendly. StreamYard’s standout feature is its ability to add branding elements like logos, overlays, and banners directly from the interface. This makes it ideal for businesses or personal brands looking for a professional touch without complex workflows.

Key Features:

Browser-based, no installation needed.

Supports multistreaming to major platforms.

Branding tools like logos, overlays, and banners.

Pros: Easy to use, good for beginners.

Cons: Limited customization and features compared to Restream.

Pricing: Starts at $20/month.

2. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a free and open-source streaming tool that’s widely used by professionals and enthusiasts alike. While it’s primarily designed for live streaming and recording, OBS can be enhanced with plugins to enable multistreaming or live captioning & translation. This makes it an incredibly flexible option for those willing to invest time in setup and configuration.

OBS Studio is particularly suited for tech-savvy users who want complete control over their streaming setup. Its open-source nature allows for endless customization, whether it’s adding complex overlays, integrating third-party tools, or managing multiple audio and video sources. However, this flexibility comes with a steeper learning curve, and beginners might find the interface overwhelming.

Key Features:

Free, open-source software.

Plugin support for multistreaming.

Customizable for professional setups.

Pros: Completely free and highly flexible.

Cons: Requires plugins and advanced setup for multistreaming.

Pricing: Free.

3. vMix

vMix stands out as a professional-grade live video production tool that includes multistreaming capabilities. Designed for broadcasters and event organizers, vMix offers advanced features like multicam switching, virtual sets, and real-time overlays. These tools make it perfect for high-quality productions where visual and audio precision are paramount.

Key Features:

Professional-grade live production software.

Multistreaming support.

Advanced video and audio mixing tools.

Pros: High production value and customization.

Cons: Requires powerful hardware; steep learning curve.

Pricing: Starts at $60 (one-time).

4. Nginx with RTMP

For those seeking a self-hosted solution, Nginx with the RTMP module is an excellent choice. This setup allows you to create a custom multistreaming server that you control entirely. It’s particularly appealing for privacy-conscious users or organizations looking to reduce costs by bypassing third-party services.

Setting up Nginx with RTMP involves installing Nginx on a server, configuring RTMP for multistreaming, and using OBS Studio to send your streams to the server. Once configured, Nginx acts as a hub, redistributing your stream to multiple platforms simultaneously. This solution offers unparalleled flexibility and is completely free aside from hosting costs.

The main drawback is its complexity. Configuring the server requires technical knowledge, and ongoing maintenance can be challenging for non-technical users. Still, for those who value full control and cost-efficiency, it’s hard to beat.

Key Features:

Self-hosted streaming server with full control.

Free RTMP module for multistreaming.

Privacy-focused with no third-party involvement.

Pros: Cost-effective and customizable.

Cons: Complex to set up and manage; requires server knowledge.

Ideal Use Case: For tech-savvy streamers or businesses who want complete control over their multistreaming setup.

How to Use Nginx with RTMP:

Install Nginx on your server (local or cloud-based).

Add the RTMP module for live streaming support.

Configure OBS Studio to send the stream to your Nginx server.

Set up Nginx to redistribute the stream to multiple platforms.

This approach is highly flexible and free, apart from server hosting costs.

5. Castr

Castr offers a cloud-based multistreaming solution that’s both affordable and user-friendly. It allows users to stream to multiple platforms simultaneously while providing simple tools for monitoring performance and engaging with viewers. Unlike Restream, Castr focuses on affordability, making it a great option for budget-conscious streamers.

One of its notable features is the ability to stream to custom RTMP destinations, giving users more flexibility in reaching niche platforms. While it doesn’t have the advanced branding tools or analytics of some competitors, it serves as a reliable and straightforward solution for smaller creators or businesses.

Key Features:

Affordable cloud-based multistreaming.

Simple analytics and chat integrations.

Pros: Budget-friendly and easy to set up.

Cons: Limited advanced features.

Pricing: Starts at $9.99/month.

6. Streamlabs

Streamlabs is tailored for gamers and casual streamers who want an all-in-one platform for live streaming. Its interface is intuitive and offers built-in features like customizable overlays, chat integrations, and alerts, which help create an engaging viewing experience. For multistreaming, Streamlabs offers an easy setup process, allowing users to broadcast to multiple platforms without the need for additional plugins.

Key Features:

Built-in multistreaming.

Custom overlays, alerts, and themes.

Pros: Popular among gamers and casual streamers.

Cons: Subscription-based pricing.

Pricing: Starts at $19/month.

Which Restream Alternative Should You Choose?

The best tool depends on your specific needs:

For Beginners: StreamYard is intuitive and browser-based.

For Advanced Users: OBS Studio and Nginx with RTMP offer maximum control.

For High-Quality Production: vMix is ideal for professional broadcasters.

For Budget Users: Castr provides affordable multistreaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is multistreaming?

Multistreaming allows you to broadcast live content to multiple platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch simultaneously. This approach helps maximize your reach, making it a popular choice for content creators, businesses, and event organizers.

2. Is there a free alternative to Restream?

Yes, free alternatives to Restream include OBS Studio and Nginx with RTMP. OBS Studio is highly customizable with plugins, while Nginx allows you to set up a self-hosted multistreaming server. Both options require some technical knowledge to configure.

3. Which alternative is best for gamers?

Streamlabs is an excellent option for gamers due to its gaming-specific features like custom overlays, alerts, and themes. It integrates well with platforms like Twitch and offers an easy setup process for streamers who want a polished and interactive stream.

4. Can I stream in 4K using these alternatives?

Yes, tools like vMix, OBS Studio, and Nginx with RTMP support 4K streaming. Keep in mind that streaming in 4K requires high-speed internet, sufficient processing power, and platform compatibility.

5. Is there anything better than Restream?

The answer depends on your requirements. For beginners, StreamYard offers a simpler interface, while professional-grade users might find vMix or Nginx with RTMP better for advanced features and control. The best choice will vary based on your goals and budget.

6. Is there a free version of Restream?

Yes, Restream offers a free plan that includes multistreaming to two platforms simultaneously, but it comes with limitations like restricted features and Restream branding. For advanced tools and no branding, you’ll need a paid plan.

7. Is StreamYard better than Restream?

StreamYard is better for those who value simplicity and browser-based streaming. It’s ideal for beginners or small teams. However, Restream provides more advanced multistreaming options and integrations, making it better suited for larger-scale or professional use cases.

8. Is Restream better than Streamlabs?

Restream focuses on multistreaming and reaching multiple platforms simultaneously, making it ideal for business users and event organizers. Streamlabs, on the other hand, is tailored for gamers and creators who want built-in alerts, overlays, and interactive features. The choice depends on your use case.