Multistreaming tool that broadcasts one live stream to many platforms simultaneously.
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Restream vs OBS Studio
Comparing Restream and OBS Studio to help you pick the right Live Streaming Platforms for your needs.
Free, open-source screen recording and live streaming software with a flexible scene-based system.
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| Feature | Restream | OBS Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Freemium | Open Source |
| Platforms | Web | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Editorial rating | ★ 4 / 5 | ★ 4.5 / 5 |
| Starting price | $0/month | $0 |
| Community votes | 12 | 19 |
Restream Pros & Cons
- Streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously meaningfully grows total reach versus committing to a single platform alone
- Browser-based studio removes the need for separate streaming software for basic multi-guest stream setups
- Removes the technical complexity of manually configuring separate simultaneous streams to each individual platform
- Custom branding on the Standard tier helps maintain consistent visual identity across all destination platforms
- Supports streamers building an audience across platforms rather than betting entirely on one platform's algorithm or policies
- Free tier limited to just 2 simultaneous destinations, restrictive for creators wanting to maximize reach across more platforms
- Encoding and bandwidth requirements increase with each additional destination, requiring a sufficiently strong internet connection for multi-platform streaming
- Browser-based studio, while convenient for basic setups, has less advanced scene and source control than dedicated software like OBS for complex productions
- Managing engagement (chat, comments) across multiple simultaneous platforms during a live stream adds real complexity even with multistreaming infrastructure handling the broadcast itself
OBS Studio Pros & Cons
- Completely free and open-source with no feature paywall whatsoever, including capabilities that would be premium-tier in commercial competitors
- Highly configurable scene/source system serves as the backbone for the large majority of professional and semi-professional streaming setups
- Extensive community-built plugin ecosystem extends functionality well beyond the core application's built-in features
- Genuinely cross-platform support across Mac, Windows, and Linux, unusual for software at this level of capability
- Active, long-running open-source development means continued improvement and bug fixes without depending on one company's commercial viability
- Steeper learning curve than simple, one-click recorders like Loom or ScreenPal, given its flexible but more involved scene/source configuration model
- No built-in cloud hosting or sharing — recordings and streams need a separate distribution method or platform
- Initial setup for a polished, professional-looking stream layout takes real time investment to configure scenes, sources, and overlays well
- Some advanced features (like certain plugins) require manual installation and configuration rather than being built in out of the box
Verdict: Restream vs OBS Studio
Restream and OBS Studio both serve the Live Streaming Platforms category well, but suit different priorities. OBS Studio is the more budget-friendly option, OBS Studio carries the stronger editorial rating (4.5 / 5), OBS Studio supports more platforms (3 vs 1). Based on community engagement, OBS Studio is currently the more widely adopted choice (19 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is cheaper, Restream or OBS Studio?
- OBS Studio is the more affordable option overall — it's offered as free, open-source software, while Restream is freemium. Check each tool's current pricing plans for exact figures, since promotional rates and annual discounts can shift the comparison.
- Is Restream or OBS Studio rated higher?
- OBS Studio has the higher editorial rating at 4.5 out of 5, compared to Restream's 4 out of 5. This is Kreemhunt's own staff rating, not a public user aggregate — review the pros and cons below for specifics that matter to your use case.
- Which platforms do Restream and OBS Studio support?
- Restream is available on Web. OBS Studio is available on macOS, Windows, Linux. OBS Studio covers more platforms overall, which matters if your team works across a wider range of devices and operating systems.
- Can I switch from Restream to OBS Studio (or vice versa)?
- Most live streaming platforms tools, including Restream and OBS Studio, support data export in standard formats, making migration possible though rarely fully automatic. Expect to manually verify that custom configurations, integrations, and historical data transfer correctly, and budget time for the team to adjust to workflow differences between the two products.
- Should I choose Restream or OBS Studio?
- Restream and OBS Studio both serve the Live Streaming Platforms category well, but suit different priorities. OBS Studio is the more budget-friendly option, OBS Studio carries the stronger editorial rating (4.5 / 5), OBS Studio supports more platforms (3 vs 1). Based on community engagement, OBS Studio is currently the more widely adopted choice (19 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.