Talk about broadcasting an event, or you currently started your streaming career, it is unmissable, to try multiple platforms at least once. Every stream platform has its main audience and category, which is works better than others. Some categories will perform better than others. If you want to stream an award ceremony, YouTube would be the best option, but you should try Facebook as your leading platform too.
No matter which will be the major one, later on, the possibility is given and you should try to stream to multiple platforms. In this article, you will see, which apps and software help you to solve this, easily. Most of the time, you can do this free, but for the higher quality and the removable watermark, probably a subscription is necessary.
The beginning is hard, every time, nevertheless, if you are on more platforms at the same time, your chance for reaching viewers is significant, not to mention you will gain more experience. Along with your stream category, the performing style, the appearance in front of the camera, contributes greatly to appearing on the front pages of these stream platforms. Of course, there are some tips and tricks, and loopholes, which bring the opportunity to increase achievement closer.
But let’s focus on the solutions, which help you to stream to multiple platforms.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is the main software in the world of streamers. However this is the base point of the streaming software, it’s only allowing one platform at once. But there are some addons and roundabout, that helps to set up streaming to multiple platforms.
There is a catch if you want to use this solution in contrast to others. There isn’t have any server, which is transfers the signals from your computer to other platforms. Your computer will be the server, so it depends on your internet speed and your resources. After all, you can only pick two platforms to stream at once.
The first step is, the same as the basic setup. Go to the OBS Setting, the Stream options. Choose your main stream platform, like Facebook Live or Twitch, then connect OBS to your account.
The tweak is coming in this step. After the setup, go to the Output setting and choose the Recording tab. Keep in mind that you need the Advanced mode.
At the Type, choose the Custom Output, then the Output Type should be the “Output to URL“. In the URL settings give your URL that YouTube provides, it starts with RTMP. After the slash paste your stream key. The recording setting is the same as in streaming, however, you should test it, before going live. Most importantly the bitrate and the keyframe interval value.
After you are ready, save the setting and click apply. But we are not ready yet, because if you want to stream to multiple platforms along with “Start Streaming” you should click on “Start Recording” too.
Pay attention after the start, how your computer reacts to this type of streaming, like focus on your CPU and RAM workload, especially your internet speed. If you spectacularly drop FPS, the game is lagging, and after the start, a YouTube video only loads after one minute, you should follow this article and try one of the next solutions.
Restream.io
You may already hear about this platform. For the multiple stream option, this will be the easiest solution. The platform allows you to stream to multiple platforms with just a few clicks, and you are ready to go. We can mention video sharing sites like YouTube, Facebook, but also to LinkedIn or Twitch too. After a quick registration, the following pictures receive us.
We have two options to use the platform. In the first one you can use the built-in interface, the Restream Studio, or you can connect to the Restream.io servers with external streaming software, then it broadcast to the streaming platforms. If you choose the built-in Studio, then you will be streaming inside from your browser, which should do the job for categories like talk shows.
However this application is more rudimentary than the OBS Studio, but you will find the leading setting, overlays, and transitions in the interface.
If you are into the more complex solutions with gaming and screen sharing then, you will need external software. The above-mentioned app also has the screen sharing option, but for the running in-browser implementation, it is unlikely to be the best solution for that purpose.
First of all, you should choose the stream platforms where you would like to stream, and connect your account to Restream.
After you added the pages, the following is to request the stream key.
This setting will appear after the click on RTMP Settings. After that place the URL and the stream key into OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS.
With a free account, there is some limitation, for example, you only allowed to stream to your Facebook profile with a Restream watermark, and the maximum 720p resolution is specified too. Therefore the Standard ($16/mo), but the Professional ($41/mo) subscription package is needed when you reached a certain level. Then the watermark is removable, and the 1080p resolution is allowed.
Streamlabs
If you are already using Streamlabs OBS or the mobile live stream option, then you just only need a Prime subscription for this option. You can receive donations with the help of the platform, the subscription gives you panels, transitions és other apps for the software.
If you subscribed to Prime, then as we did at Restream, connect your profiles to Streamlabs OBS at the Settings, then Stream tab.
After that, just simply click on the “Go Live” button, and your already streaming to multiple platforms.
melon
We need to talk about the following application too, melon. The platform was started about one year ago by the Streamlabs teams, as a competitor to Restream.io. The existing streaming knowledge (Streamlabs OBS), just needed to be transformed into a browser-based solution. (Of course, there are many differences.) Along with the registration, you can subscribe to the platform with 20% off.
The limitations are the same as in Restream. The free version is limited to 4-hour streaming, with watermarks and only 2 people allowed in the stream. In the Standard subscription, we can add logos, stream overlays, and themes, not to mention the watermark is disappearing too. Also, the Standard package ensures the streaming to 3 platforms at the same time.
The application has the same design as the Streamlabs OBS, and you can use it with most of the browsers. On the right side, you will find the options, while the microphone and the camera are placed at the bottom.
One of the outstanding functions is that one link is enough to invite our friends or partners to connect to the streams.
So we can create a stream and run smoothly a full talk show, even with the Pro package we can invite 8 people.
Which one suits me well?
We look through many options in this article. Would you like to stream gaming, with a little talk show, then the first one is the most possible solution for you, along with OBS Studio. However, easily it can be at the expense of resources and internet speed. In this case, you should pick Restream.io or Streamlabs Prime subscription. Otherwise melon can do the job if we talk about a little talk show.
At the end of the day, not the “background” solution will determine you. The first one week or month will be the challenge, after that you should see some changes on the viewer base.
Do you have any questions? Let’s discuss this in the comments!
