The reason that most hams often choose their HF bands depends on what sort of antenna they have or want to build for themselves. I’ll share my thoughts with you about finding the best software for streaming, and after you read this article, you may never watch TV without it. Streaming is hot right now and there are a parter of ways third-party software and services offer. Here’s our list and where you can find more solid information on each.
What is the Best Streaming Software?
Here’s my list for the best streaming software for YouTube, Twitch, and more.
1. Restream.
Best Overall Streaming Software (Free – $249/month).
Restream is a cloud-based streaming service that lets you simultaneously stream videos to over 30 platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, etc. They even provide native integration with prominent streaming software like XSplit, OBS Studio, Elgato, and more.
It’s also one of the few streaming platforms that allow “Real-time Platform and Channel Toggling.” This means you can edit and add more channels while you’re “On Air” – without having to exit your broadcast or restart your encoder.
On top of that, Restream also comes powered with plenty of additional tools to help you promote and analyze your live broadcasts.
For instance, you can use the Restream Events feature to schedule and announce your upcoming stream in advance to build excitement. However, this feature is only available for Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for now.
They also allow you to measure your live stream’s success across numerous platforms – from a single dashboard. You can identify the most popular part of your stream, the peak time, the total number of viewers, watched minutes sorted by the platforms, and more.
In addition, they have a built-in chat feature that you can display as an overlay during your live stream. There are even options to customize the look-and-feel of your chat box using over 20 pre-designed templates.
Other Key Features:
- Create multiple channels on a single platform.
- A built-in amplifier to stream from whenever you want.
- Track your frame drops, bitrate, and frames per second (FPS).
- Update metadata of all streams from a single point.
- Automatic alerts to notify viewers on Facebook, Discord, and Twitter.
- Add a CTA button to your live stream.
- Allow viewers from different platforms to chat with each other.
- Hide nasty and rude words in the chat box.
Pricing Plans:
Restream comes with five plans (including one free plan and four paid plans).
- Free – No pre-recorded video streaming, no video uploads, no video storage, no stream recording.
- Standard ($16 per month) – No pre-recorded video streaming, no video uploads, no video storage, six hours/stream max stream recording.
- Professional ($41 per month) – Pre-recorded video streaming, max 1 hour/2Gb video uploads, ability to store 10 videos, 10 hours/stream max stream recording.
- Premium ($83 per month) – Pre-recorded video streaming, max 2 hours/5Gb video uploads, ability to store 25 videos, 20 hours/stream max stream recording.
- Business ($249 per month) – Pre-recorded video streaming, max 4 hours/10Gb video uploads, ability to store 50 videos, 20 hours/stream max stream recording.
Try Restream risk free for 7 days.Try Restream
2. OneStream.
Best Streaming Software (Free – $89/month)
OneStream is the best overall streaming software, with the ability to stream and record live and pre-recorded videos, and publish them to over 40 social media platforms.
With pre-recorded streams, you can record and then schedule your broadcasts to social media platforms up to 60 days in advance.
With live streaming, you can couple OneStream with other streaming tools configure this tool, and start multicasting:
Scheduling pre-recorded videos is also super easy. You just upload your video file, pick a date and time, and select your streaming destinations like YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, Periscope, and more.
Key Features:
- Stream to over 40 platforms and schedule posts up to 60 days in advance.
- Team management lets you multiple team members in one account.
- No software installation needed.
- Multiple upload options, including files, camera, and screen shares.
- Custom RTMP streaming using a server URL and stream key.
Pricing:
OneStream provides four pricing options:
- Free – unlimited streaming, no multi-casting, 5 minutes max per stream, 1 social account, 5 GB max file size.
- Basic ($10 per month) – unlimited streaming, pre-recorded multi-casting, 15 minutes max per stream, 5 GB max file size.
- Standard ($39 per month/Best Value) – unlimited streaming, pre-recorded and real-time multicasting, one-hour max/recorded stream, unlimited file size.
- Professional ($89 per month) – unlimited streaming, pre-recorded and real-time multicasting, 8 hours max/recorded stream, unlimited file size.
For the best streaming software, try out OneStream for free and upgrade to a paid plan when you’re ready.Try OneStream
3. Wirecast.
Best Professional Live Streaming Software (Starting at $599).
Wirecast is a live video streaming production platform developed by Telestream. It helps you create TV-like live stream production and on-demand broadcasts for the web.
You can leverage its flexible and intuitive UI to customize your live feed easily. All you have to do is just plug in your mic and camera. It automatically handles all the encoding to deliver your live stream to any geography at scale.
It covers every type of live stream event, including live sports, worship services, television, radio & news broadcasts, etc.
To help you capture your video content on the go, Wirecast also offers a free iOS camera app. You can stream to more than one destination, including ANY RTMP destination. It also lets you embed live captions to make your videos more accessible for differently-abled viewers.
Key Features:
- ISO Recording – It archives all the live video inputs without any modification. These video clips are separate from your composite program recording.
- Multiviewer – Send single sources to up to 17 source grids to easily monitor and get a quick look at each source.
- Stock Media Library – It offers free access to more than 500,000 media assets, including videos, music, backgrounds, lower thirds, etc.
Pros:
- It provides multi-channel audio ingestion, and support for WASAPI, ASIO, and CoreAudio compatible devices.
- Use features like replay, clocks, scoreboards, and timers for your live sporting events.
- Get access to over 100 built-in titles and graphics.
- Use QR Codes, Chroma Key, and Playlists to present your live stream professionally.
- Easily record videos in MP4 or MOV files.
- Efficiently mix up to 8 audio tracks. You can also add FX and processing.
Pricing:
Wirecast provides two versions:
- Wirecast Studio: $599 for enhanced live production and streaming
- Wirecast Pro: $799 for advanced live production and streaming
It’s a pricier tool, but the best professional live streaming software out there.
Get started with Wirecast.Try Telestream Wirecast
4. Dacast.
Best Video Monetization Platform ($39.99 per month; 30-Day Free Trial).
Dacast is a video monetization platform and VOD streaming platform made for hosting, live streaming, and managing professional broadcasts.
First, they offer powerful and secure video hosting, with a content management system to store all of your recorded and live video content.
Dacast is best known as an OTT platform with great video monetization features. They automatically convert currency behind paywalls to reflect the cost of streaming to the viewer, incluging subscription models, pay-per-view, and advertisting.https://04752b13b355a28ef1140a60e2ad6569.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Key Features:
- API-Based Video Platform: For customization, they are an API-based online video platform, where you can build your own mobile apps and OTT platforms from scratch with APIs and SDKs.
- Advanced Analytics: You can track the performance of your videos with their reporting dashboards and custom reports.
- HTML 5 Video Player: Stream to any device anywhere with the ultra-compatible HTML 5 format that includes mobile streaming.
- 24/7 Technical Support: Plus a pretty comprehensive knowledgebase and large online community.
Pricing:
Dacast has four main pricing plans, including:
- Starter: $39 per month
- Event: $63 per month
- Scale: $188 per month
- Custom: Enterprise options for large brands
To test out their live streaming and video monetization features, you can try Dacast for free with a 30-day trial.Try Dacasthttps://04752b13b355a28ef1140a60e2ad6569.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
COnclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned pro in video streaming or a beginner, you’ll find something useful below. I’ve taken a look at the most popular online streaming software and compiled a list which I humbly say will help you stream successfully. By the way, if you have any comment on which software is the best, please leave your feedback in the comments section below.