If you’re a content creator looking to expand your audience reach, you’ve probably heard the term multistreaming (also called simulcasting). But what exactly does it mean, and why are thousands of streamers adopting this strategy in 2025?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about multistreaming, from basic concepts to advanced strategies.
What is Multistreaming?
Multistreaming (also known as simulcasting) is the process of broadcasting your live video stream to multiple platforms simultaneously. Instead of streaming to just YouTube or just Twitch, you stream to both platforms (and more) at the same time with a single broadcast.
For example, when you multistream, your audience can watch you on:
- YouTube Live
- Twitch
- Facebook Live
- LinkedIn Live
- Instagram Live
- TikTok Live
- Twitter/X
- And 25+ other platforms
All from a single stream configuration in your broadcasting software.
How Does Multistreaming Work?
The technical process behind multistreaming involves streaming software, RTMP protocol, and a multistreaming service that replicates your video feed to multiple destinations.
The Traditional Streaming Process
- You create video content using a camera/screen capture
- Streaming software (OBS, Streamlabs, etc.) encodes the video
- The encoded stream is sent to ONE platform (e.g., YouTube)
- That platform distributes the stream to viewers
The Multistreaming Process
- You create video content using a camera/screen capture
- Streaming software encodes the video
- The stream is sent to a multistreaming service (like Streemzy)
- The service replicates your stream to multiple platforms simultaneously
- Each platform (YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, etc.) receives an identical copy
- All your audiences across different platforms can watch at the same time
Multistreaming vs Simulcasting: What’s the Difference?
Multistreaming and simulcasting are essentially the same thing – both terms refer to broadcasting to multiple platforms at once. The terms are used interchangeably in the streaming community.
- Multistreaming: More commonly used in the streaming software/service industry
- Simulcasting: Traditional broadcasting term adapted for live streaming
Both mean: Same content → Multiple destinations → Simultaneously
Why Do Content Creators Use Multistreaming?
Multistreaming has become the standard practice for professional content creators. Here’s why:
1. Maximize Audience Reach
Different audiences prefer different platforms. Your YouTube viewers might not use Twitch, and your Facebook followers might never visit YouTube. By multistreaming, you capture all these audiences simultaneously instead of forcing them to come to one platform.
Example: A gaming streamer might have:
- 2,000 viewers on Twitch
- 1,500 viewers on YouTube
- 800 viewers on Facebook Gaming
- Total reach: 4,300 concurrent viewers instead of 2,000
2. Reduce Platform Dependency Risk
Building your audience on only one platform is risky. If that platform:
- Changes its algorithm (reducing your visibility)
- Suspends your account
- Shuts down entirely
- Changes monetization policies
You lose everything. Multistreaming diversifies your presence across platforms, protecting your business.
3. Save Time and Effort
Instead of streaming separately to each platform (which would require 3x the time), you stream once and reach everyone. One hour of work reaches multiple audiences.
4. Grow Faster Across All Platforms
Each platform has its own discovery algorithm. By being present on multiple platforms, you increase your chances of being discovered through:
- YouTube’s recommendation system
- Twitch’s category browsing
- Facebook’s social graph
- TikTok’s For You page
More discovery channels = faster audience growth.
5. Increase Revenue Opportunities
Different platforms have different monetization methods:
- Twitch: Subscriptions, Bits, ads
- YouTube: Super Chat, channel memberships, ads
- Facebook: Stars, fan subscriptions
By multistreaming, you can collect revenue from all these sources simultaneously.
What Do You Need to Start Multistreaming?
Getting started with multistreaming requires a few essential components:
1. Streaming Software
You’ll need streaming software to capture and encode your video. Popular options include:
- OBS Studio (free, open-source, highly customizable)
- Streamlabs OBS (free, beginner-friendly)
- XSplit (paid, professional features)
- vMix (paid, advanced production tools)
- Streamlabs Desktop (free with premium options)
2. Multistreaming Service
This is the platform that replicates your stream to multiple destinations. Options include:
- Streemzy (recommended – generous free tier, 4K support, SRT protocol)
- Restream (popular but expensive)
- StreamYard (browser-based, limited features)
3. Hardware Requirements
Minimum specs for 1080p multistreaming:
- CPU: Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 (6th gen or newer)
- RAM: 8GB minimum (16GB recommended)
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050 or equivalent (for hardware encoding)
- Internet: 10 Mbps upload minimum (20+ Mbps recommended)
- Camera: HD webcam or DSLR (optional for some content types)
- Microphone: USB microphone or audio interface
4. Platform Accounts
Create accounts on the platforms where you want to stream:
- YouTube account with live streaming enabled
- Twitch account
- Facebook Page with live video access
- LinkedIn account with live video permissions
- TikTok account meeting live streaming requirements
How to Set Up Multistreaming (Step-by-Step)
Here’s a complete walkthrough for setting up multistreaming with Streemzy:
Step 1: Sign Up for a Multistreaming Service
- Go to Streemzy.io
- Click “Start Free” and create your account
- Verify your email address
Step 2: Connect Your Streaming Platforms
- In your Streemzy dashboard, click “Add Platform”
- Choose YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, or other platforms
- Authorize Streemzy to access each platform
- Repeat for all platforms you want to stream to
Step 3: Configure Your Streaming Software
- Open OBS Studio (or your preferred streaming software)
- Go to Settings → Stream
- Select “Custom” as your service
- Copy the RTMP URL from Streemzy
- Copy your stream key from Streemzy
- Paste both into OBS
- Click “Apply” and “OK”
Step 4: Configure Stream Settings
- In OBS, go to Settings → Output
- Set Output Mode to “Advanced”
- Configure encoder settings:
- Encoder: NVIDIA NVENC H.264 (if you have NVIDIA GPU) or x264
- Rate Control: CBR (Constant Bitrate)
- Bitrate: 6000 Kbps for 1080p60 (adjust based on your upload speed)
- Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds
- Preset: Quality (NVENC) or Fast (x264)
Step 5: Set Up Your Scene
- Add sources to your OBS scene:
- Video Capture Device (webcam)
- Display Capture or Game Capture (your content)
- Audio Input/Output Capture (microphone and desktop audio)
- Images, text, overlays (optional)
- Arrange your scene layout
- Test audio levels (aim for -12dB to -6dB peak)
Step 6: Start Your Multistream
- Click “Start Streaming” in OBS
- Check Streemzy dashboard to confirm connection
- Verify stream is live on all connected platforms
- Monitor viewer counts and engagement
Total setup time: 10-15 minutes (first time), 1-2 minutes (subsequent streams)
Best Practices for Multistreaming Success
1. Optimize for the Lowest Common Denominator
Different platforms have different technical requirements. Configure your stream to work well across all platforms:
- Resolution: 1080p works everywhere (4K if your platforms support it)
- Frame Rate: 30fps is safe, 60fps if all platforms support it
- Bitrate: 6000 Kbps for 1080p60, 4500 Kbps for 1080p30
2. Acknowledge All Your Audiences
Your viewers are watching from different platforms. Acknowledge this:
- “Welcome to everyone watching on YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook!”
- Use a unified chat system to see all platform chats in one place
- Respond to comments from all platforms
3. Test Before Going Live
Always do a test stream before important broadcasts:
- Set all platforms to “Unlisted” or “Private”
- Start streaming
- Check video and audio quality on each platform
- Verify latency is acceptable
- End test stream
- Set platforms back to “Public” for your real stream
4. Monitor Your Internet Connection
Multistreaming requires stable, fast internet. Best practices:
- Use wired ethernet connection (not WiFi)
- Close bandwidth-heavy applications
- Test your upload speed: fast.com or speedtest.net
- Aim for upload speed 2x your stream bitrate (12+ Mbps for 6000 Kbps stream)
5. Create Platform-Specific Content (When Possible)
While the video is the same, you can customize:
- Stream titles (each platform can have different title)
- Descriptions (include platform-specific links)
- Thumbnails (customize for each platform’s audience)
- Tags/Categories (optimize for each platform’s discovery)
Common Multistreaming Challenges and Solutions
Challenge 1: Platform-Specific Rules
Problem: Some platforms have exclusivity requirements.
Twitch: Affiliate and Partner streamers cannot multistream to other live streaming platforms while streaming on Twitch. However, you CAN multistream to:
- YouTube (if it’s different content or VOD)
- LinkedIn, Facebook (short clips or highlights, not simultaneous)
- Instagram, TikTok (mobile-specific content)
Solution: If you’re a Twitch Affiliate, either:
- Stream exclusively to Twitch during affiliate contract period
- Opt out of Twitch Affiliate program to multistream freely
- Wait 24 hours after your Twitch stream ends, then upload VODs to other platforms
Challenge 2: Managing Multiple Chats
Problem: Viewers are commenting on YouTube, Twitch, Facebook simultaneously.
Solution: Use a unified chat aggregator:
- Streemzy’s built-in chat dashboard
- Restream Chat (works with most multistreaming services)
- Streamlabs Chatbot
These tools show all platform chats in one window, making it easier to respond to everyone.
Challenge 3: High Latency
Problem: Stream delay is 10-30 seconds, making chat interaction difficult.
Solution:
- Use SRT protocol instead of RTMP (Streemzy supports SRT)
- Enable “Low Latency” mode on platforms that support it
- Reduce encoding complexity (faster preset in OBS)
- Use a multistreaming service with optimized infrastructure
Challenge 4: Different Aspect Ratios
Problem: Some platforms prefer 16:9 (YouTube), others prefer 9:16 (TikTok, Instagram)
Solution:
- Stream in 16:9 (landscape) for desktop/horizontal platforms
- Create separate vertical streams for mobile-first platforms
- OR use a 1:1 (square) format that works reasonably well everywhere
RTMP vs SRT: Which Protocol Should You Use?
When multistreaming, you’ll encounter two primary streaming protocols:
RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol)
- Industry Standard: Supported by virtually all platforms
- Latency: 5-10 seconds typically
- Reliability: Good, but can drop connection on unstable networks
- Use Case: General multistreaming, most platforms
SRT (Secure Reliable Transport)
- Modern Protocol: Newer, more advanced
- Latency: 2-3 seconds (much lower)
- Reliability: Excellent – automatically recovers from packet loss
- Security: Built-in encryption
- Use Case: Professional streams, low-latency requirements
Recommendation: Use SRT if your multistreaming service supports it (Streemzy does). If not, RTMP is perfectly fine for most use cases.
Is Multistreaming Legal?
Yes, multistreaming is legal, but you must comply with each platform’s Terms of Service:
- YouTube: ✅ Allows multistreaming without restrictions
- Facebook: ✅ Allows multistreaming
- LinkedIn: ✅ Allows multistreaming
- TikTok: ✅ Allows multistreaming
- Twitch: ⚠️ Affiliates and Partners cannot simultaneously stream to competing gaming platforms (YouTube Gaming, Facebook Gaming, etc.)
Key Point: Read the Terms of Service for any platform you use, especially if you have monetization agreements.
Multistreaming Cost: Free vs Paid Options
Free Options
- Streemzy Free Plan: Unlimited multistreaming to all platforms, 1080p quality
- Restream Free: Limited to 2 platforms, 720p quality
- DIY Solution: Use Nginx with RTMP module (technical knowledge required)
Paid Options
- Streemzy Pro: $19/month – 4K, advanced analytics, priority support
- Restream Standard: $25/month – Unlimited platforms, 1080p
- StreamYard Professional: $49/month – Browser-based with advanced features
Best Value: Streemzy offers the best free tier and the most affordable paid plans with professional features.
Frequently Asked Questions About Multistreaming
Can I multistream for free?
Yes! Streemzy offers a free plan with unlimited multistreaming to all platforms. Most multistreaming services offer free tiers, though with limitations.
Does multistreaming affect stream quality?
No. The multistreaming service replicates your stream without re-encoding, so quality remains the same across all platforms.
How many platforms can I stream to at once?
This depends on your multistreaming service. Streemzy supports 30+ platforms simultaneously with no limits on the free or Pro plans.
Do I need faster internet for multistreaming?
No. You only upload your stream once to the multistreaming service, which then distributes it. Your internet requirements are the same as streaming to a single platform.
Can I use a different title and description for each platform?
Yes! Most multistreaming services (including Streemzy) allow you to customize titles, descriptions, and thumbnails for each platform.
What happens if one platform goes down during my stream?
Your stream continues on all other platforms. The multistreaming service automatically handles individual platform failures without affecting the rest of your broadcast.
Can I monetize my multistreamed content?
Yes, as long as you meet each platform’s monetization requirements. You can potentially earn revenue from multiple platforms simultaneously (Super Chat on YouTube, Bits on Twitch, Stars on Facebook, etc.).
Get Started with Multistreaming Today
Multistreaming is no longer optional for serious content creators – it’s essential for maximizing reach, protecting your audience, and growing faster across platforms.
Ready to start multistreaming?
- Sign up for Streemzy free
- Connect your streaming platforms (YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, etc.)
- Configure OBS with your Streemzy RTMP details
- Start streaming to all platforms simultaneously
No credit card required. Start reaching your entire audience today.
Last Updated: January 2025
