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StreamYard alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

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

Top picks

Common reasons people leave StreamYard: free plan adds a StreamYard logo and caps local recordings, and less control over scenes and capture sources than desktop apps. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces StreamYard, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Restream currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Restream logoRestreamFree plan + paid$19 a month (Standard)NoWeb7 of 768.8
2Streamlabs Desktop logoStreamlabs DesktopFree plan + paid$15.75 a month (Ultra)YesWindows, macOS7 of 759.4
3XSplit Broadcaster logoXSplit BroadcasterFree plan + paid$14.99/month (Premium, monthly)NoWindows8 of 857.5
4Riverside logoRiversideFree plan + paid$24/month billed annually (Pro)NoWeb, macOS, iOS +15 of 554.4
5OBS Studio logoOBS StudioOpen source—YesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 550.5
6Ecamm Live logoEcamm LivePaid—NomacOS5 of 542.3
  1. Restream logo

    1. RestreamTop pick

    Best for: Streamers and brands who want to go live on many platforms at once from one feed

    Free plan + paidWeb

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from StreamYard

    Similar browser studio with a free plan and support for 30+ streaming destinations.

    Pros

    • Streams to 30+ platforms from a single upload
    • Works with OBS, Zoom and other encoders as well as its own studio
    • Free plan covers two channels

    Cons

    • 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
    Visit Restream 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 Restream a good StreamYard alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, 2 channels at once
    Checked Nov 8, 2026restream.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $19 a month (Standard)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026restream.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Destinations
    30+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026restream.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Encoder support
    OBS, Zoom and others
    Checked Nov 8, 2026restream.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Professional plan
    $49 a month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026restream.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Business plan
    $239 a month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026restream.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Extra team seats
    $25 per seat/month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026restream.io(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

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from StreamYard

    Free desktop studio built on OBS with alerts and overlays for gaming streams.

    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 StreamYardDetails 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 Streamlabs Desktop a good StreamYard 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

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from StreamYard

    Windows broadcaster with full scene composition and plugins, for streams that outgrow a browser studio.

    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 ×0.363
    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 XSplit Broadcaster a good StreamYard 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. Riverside logo

    4. Riverside

    Best for: Podcasters and video teams recording remote guests who want studio-quality local tracks and quick edits

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, iOS, Android

    54.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from StreamYard

    Focused on high-quality remote podcast and video recording with built-in editing.

    Pros

    • Local recording per guest keeps quality high on weak connections
    • Text-based editor with transcripts, clips and show notes in the same tool
    • Live streaming, podcast hosting and webinars on higher plans
    • Guests join from a browser link without installing anything

    Cons

    • Free plan adds a watermark and only a one-off allowance of separate-track recording
    • Separate-track downloads are capped by hours per month on paid plans
    • Webinar registration tools need the more expensive Webinar plan
    • No Windows or Linux desktop app; it runs in the browser there
    Visit Riverside Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    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 Riverside a good StreamYard alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, with 2 hours of multi-track recording
    Checked Nov 8, 2026riverside.fm(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $24/month billed annually (Pro)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026riverside.fm(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026riverside.fm(opens source in a new tab)
    Max video quality
    4K
    Checked Nov 8, 2026riverside.fm(opens source in a new tab)
    Live streaming
    Full HD multistreaming (Grow plan and up)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026riverside.fm(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

    50.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from StreamYard

    Free, open-source desktop app with full control over scenes and sources, no subscription.

    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 ×0.346
    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 StreamYard 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)
  6. Ecamm Live logo

    6. Ecamm Live

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

    PaidmacOS

    42.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from StreamYard

    Native Mac app with local recording, Stream Deck support and richer scene control than a browser studio.

    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 ×0.312
    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 StreamYard 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)

The best StreamYard alternative for…

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

Restream logo

Best StreamYard alternative for most people

Restream

Similar browser studio with a free plan and support for 30+ streaming destinations.

OBS Studio logo

Best StreamYard alternative for a free option

OBS Studio

Free, open-source desktop app with full control over scenes and sources, no subscription.

Streamlabs Desktop logo

Best StreamYard alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Streamlabs Desktop

Free desktop studio built on OBS with alerts and overlays for gaming streams.

Streamlabs Desktop logo

Best StreamYard alternative for open source

Streamlabs Desktop

Free desktop studio built on OBS with alerts and overlays for gaming streams.

Riverside logo

Best StreamYard alternative for Mac

Riverside

Focused on high-quality remote podcast and video recording with built-in editing.

XSplit Broadcaster logo

Best StreamYard alternative for Windows

XSplit Broadcaster

Windows broadcaster with full scene composition and plugins, for streams that outgrow a browser studio.

OBS Studio logo

Best StreamYard alternative for Linux

OBS Studio

Free, open-source desktop app with full control over scenes and sources, no subscription.

Riverside logo

Best StreamYard alternative for iPhone and Android

Riverside

Focused on high-quality remote podcast and video recording with built-in editing.

Restream logo

Best StreamYard alternative for working in the browser

Restream

Similar browser studio with a free plan and support for 30+ streaming destinations.

StreamYard alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to StreamYard?

Restream ranks first right now. Similar browser studio with a free plan and support for 30+ streaming destinations. Streamlabs Desktop and XSplit Broadcaster follow it in our ranking.

StreamYard vs Restream: what's the difference?

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

Is StreamYard free?

StreamYard is free with paid plans. Free plan: Yes, with StreamYard logo; Free trial: 7 days; Starting price: $18.99 a month, or $14.99 a month billed yearly (Essential); Core plan: $44.99 a month, or $35.99 a month billed yearly. Checked on StreamYard's own site, November 2026.

How much do StreamYard alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked StreamYard alternatives: Restream, $19 a month (Standard); Streamlabs Desktop, $15.75 a month (Ultra); XSplit Broadcaster, $14.99/month (Premium, monthly); Riverside, $24/month billed annually (Pro). 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 StreamYard?

Yes. Restream (free plan + paid), Streamlabs Desktop (free plan + paid), XSplit Broadcaster (free plan + paid) and Riverside (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to StreamYard?

Yes: Streamlabs Desktop and OBS Studio.

Which StreamYard alternatives work on Linux?

OBS Studio runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from StreamYard?

The complaints we hear most: 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.

How is this list ranked?

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