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Restream alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll live streaming software

Top picks

  • StreamYard logo

    Best overall

    StreamYard

    Starting price: $18.99 a month, or $14.99 a month billed yearly (Essential)

  • Streamlabs Desktop logo

    Best free option

    Streamlabs Desktop

    Starting price: $15.75 a month (Ultra)

  • OBS Studio logo

    Best open source

    OBS Studio

    Open source

Common reasons people leave Restream: free plan shows Restream branding, and 1080p streaming and more channels need paid plans. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Restream, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. StreamYard currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1StreamYard logoStreamYardFree plan + paid$18.99 a month, or $14.99 a month billed yearly (Essential)NoWeb9 of 968.8
2Streamlabs Desktop logoStreamlabs DesktopFree plan + paid$15.75 a month (Ultra)YesWindows, macOS7 of 761.8
3XSplit Broadcaster logoXSplit BroadcasterFree plan + paid$14.99/month (Premium, monthly)NoWindows8 of 859.4
4Ecamm Live logoEcamm LivePaid—NomacOS5 of 557.5
5OBS Studio logoOBS StudioOpen source—YesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 552.3
  1. StreamYard logo

    1. StreamYardTop pick

    Best for: Creators and marketers running talk shows, interviews and webinars with remote guests

    Free plan + paidWeb

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Restream

    Browser studio with strong guest and recording tools, plus local recordings for podcasts.

    Pros

    • Runs in the browser for hosts and guests, no install needed
    • Multistreams to several platforms at once on paid plans
    • Local recordings keep quality even on weak connections
    • Free plan to try the full studio

    Cons

    • Free plan adds a StreamYard logo and caps local recordings
    • Less control over scenes and capture sources than desktop apps
    • Individual plans are restricted to personal, not company, use
    Visit StreamYard Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is StreamYard a good Restream alternative?

    Verified facts

    9 of 9 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, with StreamYard logo
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamyard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamyard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Multistreaming
    Up to 8 destinations (Advanced)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamyard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refunds
    7-day money-back guarantee
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamyard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Bending Spoons
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamyard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $18.99 a month, or $14.99 a month billed yearly (Essential)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamyard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Core plan
    $44.99 a month, or $35.99 a month billed yearly
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamyard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Advanced plan
    $88.99 a month, or $68.99 a month billed yearly
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamyard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    7 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamyard.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Streamlabs Desktop logo

    2. Streamlabs Desktop

    Best for: New streamers who want alerts, overlays and chat tools working out of the box

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Restream

    Desktop app with alerts and overlays, and multistreaming included in its Ultra plan.

    Pros

    • Alerts, widgets, chatbot and overlay themes built in
    • Dual Output streams horizontal and vertical layouts free
    • Local recordings have no watermark or time limit
    • Open-source code based on the OBS engine

    Cons

    • Multistreaming to several platforms needs the Ultra subscription
    • No Linux version
    • Heavier on CPU and memory than plain OBS Studio
    • Free tier limits themes, apps and guest slots
    Visit Streamlabs Desktop Compare with RestreamDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Streamlabs Desktop a good Restream alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, app is free to download
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamlabs.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamlabs.com(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $15.75 a month (Ultra)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamlabs.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Engine
    Built on OBS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamlabs.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Ultra plan
    $27 a month, billed monthly
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamlabs.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Student discount
    50% off up to 2 years of Ultra (.edu email)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026streamlabs.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. XSplit Broadcaster logo

    3. XSplit Broadcaster

    Best for: Windows streamers and presenters who prefer a one-time licence over a subscription

    Free plan + paidWindows

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Restream

    Windows production app with scenes and plugins that can also send one stream to several platforms.

    Pros

    • Lifetime licence option instead of only subscriptions
    • Webcam background removal without a green screen
    • Preview editor and recording profiles for cleaner productions
    • NDI output and virtual camera for two-PC and meeting setups

    Cons

    • Windows only
    • Free version adds a watermark above 720p and limits scenes to four
    • Multistreaming and commercial use need a premium licence
    Visit XSplit Broadcaster Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is XSplit Broadcaster a good Restream alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, up to 720p without watermark
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xsplit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Yearly price
    $59.99/year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xsplit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime licence
    $119.99 once
    Checked Nov 2, 2026xsplit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xsplit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Multistreaming
    Premium licence
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xsplit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $14.99/month (Premium, monthly)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xsplit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Yearly plan
    $59.99/year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xsplit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime price
    $199.99 once
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xsplit.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Ecamm Live logo

    4. Ecamm Live

    Best for: Mac-based creators and marketers who want polished live shows without learning OBS

    PaidmacOS

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Restream

    Mac streaming studio with scenes, guests and overlays that can broadcast to several destinations at once.

    Pros

    • Approachable scene-based setup with overlays, titles and comment display
    • Browser-based remote guests, up to ten on screen
    • Virtual camera and mic output for Zoom and other apps

    Cons

    • Mac only, with no Windows or Linux version
    • Subscription-only, while OBS Studio is free
    • Multistreaming and NDI output need the higher paid tier
    Visit Ecamm Live Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ecamm Live a good Restream alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free trial
    14 days, no credit card
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ecamm.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS 11.2 or newer
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ecamm.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Remote guests
    Up to 10
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ecamm.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Virtual camera
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ecamm.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Local recording
    Every broadcast saved
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ecamm.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. OBS Studio logo

    5. OBS Studio

    Best for: Streamers and creators who want a free, flexible recorder and are willing to learn it

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    52.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Restream

    Free desktop encoder; with plugins it can stream to several platforms without a relay service.

    Pros

    • Completely free with no watermark or time limits
    • Scene and source system handles complex multi-camera setups
    • Large plugin ecosystem and active community

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve for a quick screen capture
    • No built-in editor or link sharing
    • Settings for encoders and bitrates can confuse beginners
    Visit OBS Studio Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1586
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is OBS Studio a good Restream alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes, free for recording and streaming
    Checked Nov 8, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows support
    Windows 10 and 11
    Checked Nov 8, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
    macOS support
    macOS 13 or newer
    Checked Nov 8, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Linux distribution
    Flatpak on Flathub and Ubuntu PPA
    Source changed Nov 8, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Restream alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

StreamYard logo

Best Restream alternative for most people

StreamYard

Browser studio with strong guest and recording tools, plus local recordings for podcasts.

OBS Studio logo

Best Restream alternative for a free option

OBS Studio

Free desktop encoder; with plugins it can stream to several platforms without a relay service.

Streamlabs Desktop logo

Best Restream alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Streamlabs Desktop

Desktop app with alerts and overlays, and multistreaming included in its Ultra plan.

Streamlabs Desktop logo

Best Restream alternative for open source

Streamlabs Desktop

Desktop app with alerts and overlays, and multistreaming included in its Ultra plan.

Ecamm Live logo

Best Restream alternative for Mac

Ecamm Live

Mac streaming studio with scenes, guests and overlays that can broadcast to several destinations at once.

XSplit Broadcaster logo

Best Restream alternative for Windows

XSplit Broadcaster

Windows production app with scenes and plugins that can also send one stream to several platforms.

OBS Studio logo

Best Restream alternative for Linux

OBS Studio

Free desktop encoder; with plugins it can stream to several platforms without a relay service.

StreamYard logo

Best Restream alternative for working in the browser

StreamYard

Browser studio with strong guest and recording tools, plus local recordings for podcasts.

Restream alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Restream?

StreamYard ranks first right now. Browser studio with strong guest and recording tools, plus local recordings for podcasts. Streamlabs Desktop and XSplit Broadcaster follow it in our ranking.

Restream vs StreamYard: what's the difference?

Both Restream and StreamYard are free with paid plans. Verified prices: Restream $19 a month (Standard), StreamYard $18.99 a month, or $14.99 a month billed yearly (Essential). Both run on Web.

Is Restream free?

Restream is free with paid plans. Free plan: Yes, 2 channels at once; Starting price: $19 a month (Standard); Professional plan: $49 a month; Business plan: $239 a month. Checked on Restream's own site, November 2026.

How much do Restream alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked Restream alternatives: StreamYard, $18.99 a month, or $14.99 a month billed yearly (Essential); Streamlabs Desktop, $15.75 a month (Ultra); XSplit Broadcaster, $14.99/month (Premium, monthly). Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to Restream?

Yes. StreamYard (free plan + paid), Streamlabs Desktop (free plan + paid), XSplit Broadcaster (free plan + paid) and OBS Studio (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Restream?

Yes: Streamlabs Desktop and OBS Studio.

Which Restream alternatives work on Linux?

OBS Studio runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Restream?

The complaints we hear most: free plan shows Restream branding; 1080p streaming and more channels need paid plans; clips and webinars are paid add-ons on top of the base plan.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Restream, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.