Best Free Live Streaming Software: What Actually Works
Looking for free live streaming software? Good news: there are genuinely free options that don't suck. Bad news: "free" often comes with catches—watermarks, streaming limits, missing features, or enough complexity to make you want to quit.
I've tested the main options and I'll break down what each one actually offers, what's locked behind paywalls, and which one makes sense for your situation.
Quick Comparison: Free Live Streaming Software
| Software | Type | Watermark | Multistreaming | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Desktop app | No | Via plugins | Power users, gamers |
| StreamYard | Browser-based | Yes (free tier) | 2 destinations | Podcasters, interviews |
| Streamlabs Desktop | Desktop app | No | Paid only | Twitch streamers |
| Restream | Browser-based | Yes (free tier) | 2 channels | Multiplatform reach |
| Twitch Studio | Desktop app | No | No | Twitch beginners |
| Meld Studio | Desktop app | No | Yes (built-in) | Modern OBS alternative |
OBS Studio: The Gold Standard (Actually Free)
OBS Studio is free and open source software for video recording and live streaming. No watermarks, no hidden costs, no limitations. It's legitimately 100% free and always will be.
What You Get for Free
- Unlimited scenes with multiple sources (webcams, window captures, images, text, browser windows, capture cards)
- Professional audio mixer with per-source filters including noise gate, noise suppression, and gain
- VST plugin support for advanced audio processing
- Stream to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and any platform that accepts RTMP
- Studio Mode for previewing scenes before going live
- Hardware acceleration for NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs
- Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
The Catch
There's no catch on features—but there's a learning curve. OBS doesn't hold your hand. The interface isn't intuitive, and you'll spend time watching tutorials and tweaking settings. It's powerful in function, highly compatible and rich in plugins, but the UI is relatively less friendly. It's best for streamers who are willing to explore.
Who Should Use OBS
Gamers, anyone who wants zero watermarks on a budget, and people who don't mind technical setup. If you're streaming to a single platform and want maximum control without paying anything, OBS is unbeatable.
Want to also record your screen? Check out our guide to free screen recording software—OBS handles that too.
StreamYard: Easy Browser-Based Streaming
StreamYard runs entirely in your browser—no software to download. It's designed for interviews, podcasts, and professional-looking streams without the technical overhead of OBS.
Free Plan Limitations
StreamYard's free plan has several limitations:
- StreamYard logo watermark on all your streams
- 720p streaming only (no HD)
- Maximum 6 participants on screen
- Local recordings limited to 2 hours per month
- Multistreaming to only 2 destinations
- No custom branding (overlays, backgrounds, logos)
What Paid Gets You
If you upgrade, paid plans start at $44.99/month for the Core plan. That removes the watermark, gives you 3 streaming destinations, 1080p screen sharing, and 50 hours of permanent storage. The Advanced plan at $88.99/month adds 8 destinations and 4K local recordings.
For more details on their pricing tiers, check out our StreamYard pricing breakdown or explore StreamYard alternatives if the free plan doesn't cut it.
Who Should Use StreamYard
Podcasters, interview shows, webinar hosts, and anyone who values ease of use over control. If you're bringing on guests regularly and don't want to deal with software setup, StreamYard's free plan works—just accept the watermark.
Streamlabs Desktop: OBS Made Easier
Streamlabs Desktop is free and open source streaming software built on OBS and Electron. It's essentially OBS with a friendlier interface and built-in extras like alerts, overlays, and chat integration.
What's Actually Free
- All core streaming functionality (same as OBS under the hood)
- 1,000+ overlay templates
- Built-in alerts and widgets
- Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook integration
- Analytics and chatbot features
- One-click import from OBS
What Requires Streamlabs Ultra ($27/month)
- Multistreaming to multiple platforms simultaneously
- Premium overlays and themes
- Custom tipping pages
- Invite up to 11 guests (vs. 1 on free)
Streamlabs Ultra subscribers get access to features such as premium overlays, multistreaming, custom tipping pages, and much more.
Who Should Use Streamlabs
Twitch streamers who want OBS power with less configuration pain. The free version is genuinely useful—you don't need Ultra to stream well. But if you want to multistream or need premium assets, that's when you pay.
Restream: Multistreaming Focus
Restream is a browser-based multistreaming platform that lets you go live on multiple social channels at once. It's built for reaching audiences across YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch, TikTok, and more.
Free Plan Details
Restream offers a free forever plan (not just a trial). The free plan includes:
- Multistream to 2 channels
- Stream from browser in HD (720p) using Restream Studio with up to 5 guests
- Works with third-party software like OBS
- Upload and schedule pre-recorded videos (1 file up to 15 min / 250MB)
- Cross-platform chat and basic analytics
The limitations: Restream watermark on your video, and you can only stream to your personal Facebook profile (pages and groups require paid).
Paid Plans
Restream pricing starts at $16/month for Standard (billed annually)—3 channels, no watermark, custom graphics. Professional at $39/month gets you 5 channels, 1080p quality, and team access.
Who Should Use Restream
Anyone who wants to reach multiple platforms simultaneously without running multiple encoders. The free plan works for testing and light use, but serious multistreaming needs the paid tier.
Twitch Studio: Beginner-Friendly (Twitch Only)
Twitch Studio is free streaming software designed to help new streamers get started. It's made by Twitch, for Twitch.
What You Get
- Guided setup that analyzes your system and walks you through each step
- Customizable templates
- Integrated alerts through Twitch's system
- Chat, channel settings, and alerts all in one place
- No watermarks
The Limitations
Twitch Studio is specifically designed for Twitch—you can't use it for YouTube, Facebook, or other platforms. The functions are relatively simple compared to OBS, but the basics are covered.
Who Should Use Twitch Studio
Complete beginners who are only streaming to Twitch and want the simplest possible setup. If you plan to stream anywhere else or want advanced features later, start with OBS or Streamlabs instead.
Meld Studio: The New Contender
Meld Studio is a newer option positioning itself as an OBS alternative. It's 100% free with no watermarks, time limits, or hidden fees.
What Makes It Different
- Built-in multistreaming (no plugins needed)
- Integrated multi-chat from all platforms
- GPU-accelerated effects
- Native vertical streaming support for TikTok and YouTube Shorts
- VST3 audio support
- Designed with a more modern interface than OBS
Meld Studio has native multi-canvas support, allowing you to stream in both horizontal (16:9) and vertical (9:16) formats simultaneously—useful if you want to hit both Twitch and TikTok in one stream.
Who Should Use Meld Studio
Streamers who want free multistreaming without paying for Streamlabs Ultra, or anyone frustrated with OBS's interface who wants something more modern. It's still in active development, so expect updates.
Which Free Streaming Software Should You Pick?
For maximum power and zero cost: OBS Studio. It's unmatched for features per dollar (which is zero dollars). Accept the learning curve.
For easy browser-based streaming with guests: StreamYard. The watermark is annoying but the simplicity is worth it for podcasts and interviews.
For Twitch streaming specifically: Streamlabs Desktop. It's OBS made friendlier with Twitch-specific features baked in.
For hitting multiple platforms at once: Restream (if you're okay with watermarks and 2 channels) or Meld Studio (if you want truly free multistreaming).
For absolute beginners on Twitch: Twitch Studio. Simplest setup, but limited to one platform.
What About Editing Your Streams?
Most streamers want to repurpose their content. After your stream, you'll likely want to clip highlights or create edited videos. Check out our roundup of free video editing software or see our picks for best video editing software overall.
If you're doing screen-based content like tutorials, our best screen recording software guide covers tools that work alongside or instead of streaming software.
Bottom Line
You don't need to pay for live streaming software to get started. OBS Studio remains the gold standard for truly free, no-compromise streaming. Browser-based options like StreamYard and Restream trade some control for convenience—and stick watermarks on your content unless you pay.
Pick based on your actual workflow: if you're solo streaming to one platform, OBS is hard to beat. If you're running interview-style shows with guests, browser tools make life easier. And if multistreaming matters, check whether Meld Studio or a paid Restream/Streamlabs plan fits your budget better.