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

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.

The latest version (OBS Studio 32) brings a built-in Plugin Manager, improved hybrid MP4/MOV recording, and optimized NVIDIA RTX filters. The default streaming bitrate has been increased from 2,500 to 6,000 Kbps, reflecting modern internet speeds and platform recommendations.

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
• Local recording in multiple formats with no time limits
• Built-in crash recovery and auto-configuration wizard

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.

First-time users often struggle with audio routing, encoding settings, and scene organization. Once you get past that initial hurdle, though, OBS becomes second nature.

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)
• Limited streaming hours per month (hours reset monthly)

The free plan is genuinely useful for testing and occasional streams, but serious creators will quickly hit the limits. The 2-hour recording cap is particularly restrictive if you're doing weekly shows.

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.

StreamYard offers a 7-day money-back guarantee on your first charge. All paid plans include unlimited streaming time, custom branding, reusable studios, and the ability to stream pre-recorded content.

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.

Try StreamYard Free →

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
• Dual Output mode (stream to one vertical and one horizontal platform simultaneously for free)
• Local stream recording

What Requires Streamlabs Ultra ($27/month)

• Multistreaming to multiple platforms simultaneously (beyond dual output)
• Premium overlays and themes
• Custom tipping pages
• Invite up to 11 guests (vs. 1 on free)
• Watermark-free exports for Talk Studio, Podcast Editor, and Video Editor
• 40-hour uploads for Podcast Editor (vs. 1 hour free)
• 250GB storage for Video Editor

Streamlabs Ultra subscribers get access to features such as premium overlays, multistreaming, custom tipping pages, and much more. At $27/month or $189/year, it's a significant investment-but you get access to multiple creator apps including Streamlabs Desktop, Talk Studio, Video Editor, Podcast Editor, and Cross Clip.

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 simultaneously
• 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
• Support for 30+ streaming platforms

The limitations: Restream watermark on your video, and you can only stream to your personal Facebook profile (pages and groups require paid). The free plan is excellent for testing multistreaming before committing to a paid service.

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, split recordings, and team access. Business at $199/month offers 8 channels, SRT ingest, and priority support.

All paid plans include cloud recording, extended storage for recordings, and the ability to stream to Facebook pages and groups-not just personal profiles.

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
• Activity feed showing follower/subscriber activity
• Built-in performance monitoring

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. There's no multistreaming, no advanced scene customization, and limited plugin support.

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 through Multi by Meld (completely free, unlimited platforms)
• Integrated multi-chat from all platforms (Twitch, YouTube, Kick)
• GPU-accelerated effects without plugins
• Native vertical streaming support for TikTok and YouTube Shorts
• VST3 audio support
• Designed with a more modern interface than OBS
• OBS scene importer for easy migration
• Ultra-low-latency audio engine
• Optimized for Apple Silicon and Windows DirectX 12

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.

The multistreaming is handled through Multi by Meld, a cloud-based service that transcodes your stream to multiple platforms without additional CPU load on your computer. You send one feed to their servers, and they distribute it to unlimited destinations. No watermarks, no platform limits, no time restrictions.

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. Mac users especially appreciate the native Apple Silicon optimization.

System Requirements Matter

Before choosing streaming software, check your hardware. Most free streaming software requires:

• CPU: Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 (minimum); i7/Ryzen 7 recommended for 1080p streaming
• RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended
• GPU: Hardware encoding (NVENC for NVIDIA, VCE for AMD, Quick Sync for Intel) dramatically reduces CPU load
• Internet: Upload speed at least double your streaming bitrate. For 1080p at 6,000 Kbps, you need 12+ Mbps upload
• Storage: If you're recording locally, you'll need 1-2GB per hour for 1080p recordings

OBS and Meld Studio have the lowest system overhead. StreamYard runs in your browser, so performance depends on your browser and RAM. Streamlabs Desktop uses more resources than base OBS due to its built-in features.

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 with no limits).

For absolute beginners on Twitch: Twitch Studio. Simplest setup, but limited to one platform.

For Mac users: Meld Studio or OBS Studio. Both have native Apple Silicon support. Meld Studio is particularly optimized for macOS.

Common Free Streaming Software Questions

Can I monetize streams using free software?

Yes. The software itself doesn't affect monetization-that's determined by the platform you're streaming to. Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook all have their own monetization requirements (subscriber counts, watch hours, etc.). Free software works exactly the same as paid for this purpose.

Do I need a powerful computer?

It depends. If you're using hardware encoding (NVENC, Quick Sync, VCE), even mid-range systems can handle 1080p streaming. Software encoding (x264) requires more CPU power. Browser-based tools like StreamYard and Restream offload processing to the cloud, so they work on weaker machines.

Can I switch streaming software later?

Absolutely. Most streaming software lets you export/import scenes. Meld Studio has an OBS importer built-in. Streamlabs Desktop offers one-click OBS import. Your stream keys and platform connections aren't tied to specific software.

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.

The best free streaming software is the one you'll actually use consistently. Start simple, learn the basics, then add complexity as you grow.