Almost every social platform on the internet nowadays allows live streaming. People stream anything, from movies to sports, entertainment shows, news, seminars, and more.
However, statistics show that live streaming is more prevalent in the gaming world. Platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Hitbox rank among the most used. Nevertheless, there are other live-streaming platforms you can use.
OBS and StreamYard are becoming increasingly popular in the live-streaming industry. However, both share many similarities, so it may be challenging to choose one of the two.
Read on as we compare OBS vs. StreamYard to decide which is better.
What Is OBS?
OBS, short for Open Broadcasting Software, is a live-streaming desktop application. It’s free and open-source software that you can install on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
OBS is a popular live-streaming software among gamers. The software works with different social platforms and has simple yet powerful configuration options.
Notably, the software is popular because it’s easy to use. The Dock User Interface it features is not only intuitive but also rearrangeable. You can customize it to meet your preference.
However, aside from live streaming, it also supports video recording. So you get different transitions, adjustments, scenes, and more to create the perfect video.
OBS’s API makes it more powerful. This is because users can create and connect plugins to add more functionality.
Furthermore, since it’s open-source, the software gets constant updates. Its source code is available on GitHub for anyone who wants to contribute.
What Is StreamYard?
StreamYard is a web-based live-streaming solution that will work for any type of live stream. With this platform, you can live stream games, broadcasts, interviews, and webinars, to name a few.
Since it’s a web-based solution, StreamYard makes it relatively easy for you to launch live streams for your audience to watch. Consequently, you can go live with a few clicks.
Most StreamYard users live stream to social media platforms. StreamYard allows you to easily stream to social platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube.
Now, let’s compare StreamYard and OBS by looking at their features side-by-side. You’ll know which platform is better for each feature from the verdicts.
Getting Started
OBS
You must first download OBS from the developer website as it’s desktop software. There are different download options depending on your device type.
If you’re downloading on Windows, you can download the installer file, the ZIP file, or via BitTorrent. You can also download it via the Microsoft Store or Steam.
With macOS, you can download the installer file, which you can install on x86_64/Intel. You can also download the installer file for arm64/Apple Silicon.
For Linux, you have just one option, which is to download the software on FlatHub. However, you’ll also find the build instructions, which you can follow to make installation easy.
StreamYard
As a new StreamYard user, you only have to create an account on the website. Creating an account is easy. Simply enter your email address, and you’ll receive a login code in your inbox.
It’s a six-digit login code, and you’ll have access to your dashboard after you provide it. However, before you get to your dashboard, you can choose how you plan to use the platform.
You can select personal use, education, professional work, small business, or enterprise. You can skip this step as well.
By default, you get a free account. However, you can easily migrate to a paid plan when you click the “Upgrade” button on your dashboard.
Verdict
Getting started with StreamYard is easier than OBS since you don’t have to install any software.
Livestream Functionality
OBS
With OBS, you can live stream to over 50 platforms. It’s one of the best live-streaming software in terms of supported services.
However, the most common platforms OBS users live stream include Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Steam, and ReStream. Native support for Steam is why OBS is popular among gamers.
Other notable platforms include BoomStream, BoxCast, ePlay, MixCloud, LiveStream, and YouNow.
After you select your preferred service to live stream, simply enter the server key and the stream key to begin. Notably, you can use authentication to limit who can access your live stream.
Furthermore, OBS lets you choose between simple or advanced output modes. Your output mode will determine the video and audio quality.
StreamYard
StreamYard lets you live stream to six destinations natively. The six platforms are Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, and Hopin.
Notably, StreamYard doesn’t support streaming to Steam, which is why it’s not as popular as OBS among the gaming community.
Nevertheless, you can still connect to Steam and other unlisted platforms with StreamYard. To do this, you have to set up a Custom RTMP.
Typically, you can connect StreamYard with any platform that accepts RTMP streams. Aside from Steam, other examples include Wix and Vimeo. But you can only set up Custom RTMP if you’re a premium subscriber.
Verdict
The winner here is OBS, which supports over 50 streaming destinations; meanwhile, StreamYard supports just six.
Video Quality
OBS
As mentioned previously, you can choose between simple or advanced output modes with OBS.
The software lets you set your video bitrate, audio bitrate, encoder, and preset. As a result, you can live-stream videos of any quality. Of course, the video quality will depend on the source, especially if it’s a pre-recorded video.
Nevertheless, you can adjust the base resolution and output resolution from the video settings. For the base resolution, you have three options, including 1366×768, 1920×1080, and 1280×720.
On the other hand, you have 12 options for the output resolution. The options range from 424×260 to 1280×720.
StreamYard
Your video quality while live streaming with StreamYard depends on the source. Nevertheless, the platform supports full HD, up to 1080p.
If you’re live streaming from a recorded video, you can choose between 720p and 1080p. On the other hand, if you’re live streaming with your WebCam, you can choose between four resolutions. These include 360p, 420p, 720p, and 1080p.
However, StreamYard only allows Full HD at 1080p on paid plans. So if you’re on a free plan, your viewers can only view up to 720p.
Verdict
Both StreamYard and OBS support full HD streaming. However, OBS wins as it has many other resolution options to choose from.
Multistreaming
OBS
You can stream to multiple platforms at once with OBS via ReStream. As mentioned earlier, ReStream is one of the primary platforms the software supports.
Like with regular streaming, you can automatically connect with the platforms you want to multistream. Alternatively, you can do it manually using the stream key.
If you don’t use ReStream, you can also multistream on OBS by launching an RTMP server. Furthermore, you can use the Multiple RTMP outputs plugin to make it easier.
Since OBS is an open-source platform, you can also build multistream plugins if you’re a developer.
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StreamYard
Multistreaming is one of StreamYard’s major advantages. You can stream to all six natively supported platforms simultaneously; all it takes is a few clicks.
To use multistream on StreamYard, you first need to create the base stream. The base stream can be on any of the supported platforms.
Afterward, you click the plus sign (+) to add a new destination. You can add as many destinations as you want. In addition to the six supported platforms, you can also add a custom RTMP destination.
You can set up all destinations you want to stream to prior from the Destinations dashboard. That way, multistreaming is a lot easier.
Verdict
While you can multistream with both platforms, the better platform is StreamYard. This is because it’s easier to set up a multistream with StreamYard.
Branding
OBS
OBS allows you to customize your display when live streaming. As a result, you have many options to promote your brand if you’re a business user. In particular, you can add text and images and edit the colors.
You’ll find the option to add text in the sources menu. All you have to do is right-click and select ‘Text.” Next, enter a title for your text box and the text you want to display.
OBS allows you to write anything, and you can edit the font style and size to your preference. In addition, you can import your logo as an image in a similar process.
Also Read: Best Screen Recorders For Gaming
StreamYard
As part of its business features, StreamYard supports fully on-brand live streams. The platform allows you to brand your live streams with banners, comments, backgrounds, scrolling tickers, texts, and colors.
Notably, StreamYard comes with professionally designed templates for business live streams. The templates feature dynamic content in strategic positions.
These include logos, banners, overlays, and backgrounds carefully selected by experts. So all you have to do to host a branded live stream is to customize them.
Furthermore, if you create a branded live stream, you can save it as a template and reuse it later.
Verdict
StreamYard wins here thanks to the expertly designed themes and branding options like banners and scrolling tickers.
Video Recording
OBS
You’ll find the option to record from your OBS dashboard in the Control Panel. With just a click, the software begins recording your live stream. You can terminate the recording session with a click as well.
Before you begin recording, it’s ideal to set the parameters from the settings. The recording setting options are featured in the Output section.
First, you have to choose where to save the recorded files. You can choose any local destination on your PC.
Next, you set the recording quality. You can simply leave the recording quality to be the same as the streaming quality. Furthermore, you can set the video format to MP4, FLV, MKV, MOV, TS, and M3U8.
StreamYard
The StreamYard live-streaming studio can record all your live streams automatically. You can access them via the Videos sections.
Interestingly, you can simply launch a record session without having to go live. To do this, simply select “Record Only” when you click to create a new broadcast. Next, enter a title and click on “Create Broadcast.”
The only difference from the live stream is that you have no audience viewing the video. Nevertheless, you can easily convert a record-only session to a live stream by inviting guests.
Verdict
Video recording is more flexible with OBS than with StreamYard. Hence, OBS wins.
Compatibility
OBS
As mentioned earlier, OBS is a desktop solution, and it’s compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac. Therefore, you can’t use OBS via your browser.
To install OBS Studio on Windows, you need version 10 or 11. Unfortunately, you can’t install the current software on Windows 8, 7, or other old versions. You can only use the software on these versions by downloading an older version.
For Mac, you’ll need macOS 10.15 and newer. Like Windows, there are older versions if you have an older macOS.
For Linux, OBS natively supports Ubuntu 20.04 and newer. However, you may be able to install unofficial packages on other versions.
StreamYard
StreamYard is a web-based solution. As a result, you should be able to use it with old and new OS versions.
However, the platform will only work properly with three browsers. The three browsers are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. Notably, Google Chrome is the most suitable browser for StreamYard.
Since StreamYard supports Chrome, you may be able to use it with other Chromium-based browsers. Examples of such browsers are Microsoft Edge and Samsung Internet.
If you use macOS, note that you’ll be unable to use StreamYard on Safari. Instead, you must install any of the supported browsers.
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Verdict
Both platforms are incomparable here. If you want a web-based solution, StreamYard wins. But if you want a desktop solution, OBS wins.
Third-Party Integrations
OBS
OBS integrates with many third-party platforms as plugins. Since it’s open-source software, any user can build a plugin and make it available for all.
You can find any plugin you want from the OBS forum. There are thousands of plugins already, and you’ll typically find a plugin for any function the software supports.
Suppose you can’t find a plugin you want. In that case, you can also make a post to request it. Then, a random user can decide to create the plugin.
Similarly, OBS has multiple APIs. So, just as users can create plugins, they can also create APIs.
StreamYard
StreamYard is a standalone platform. Therefore, apart from the supported streaming destinations, it doesn’t support any third-party integration.
StreamYard also doesn’t feature any API, so you cannot embed the platform on any website. You can only embed video recordings on third-party websites.
Furthermore, you can only embed live streams on YouTube from all six supported platforms. This is possible due to YouTube’s built-in embedded functionality.
Verdict
OBS is miles ahead of StreamYard when it comes to integrations and API. While the software features hundreds of plugins, StreamYard doesn’t support any.
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Customer Support and Resources
OBS
OBS provides all the information you’ll need to use the platform. From the help page, you can access a comprehensive Wiki, guides, developer docs, and FAQ.
However, most of the help you’ll get as an OBS user will come from other users. OBS boasts thousands of users, mainly due to its open-source nature, which welcomes contributors.
You can connect with other users on GitHub, Discord, or via the on-site forum. Out of all, you’ll find the forum to be most helpful.
The forum has different sections for Windows, Mac, and Linux support. Hence, it’ll be easy to find help for your device type.
Other help sections in the forum include Guides, Plugins, Themes, Tools, and Scripts. As a registered user, you can create topics and post comments on the forum anytime.
StreamYard
StreamYard gives users access to a content-rich help center. Notably, the help center features guides where you’ll find solutions to any issue you may have.
You can reach the support team via Live Chat if you prefer direct support. Connecting to the live chat support is easy while logged in. Otherwise, you’ll have to provide your name and email to begin.
StreamYard also lets users submit a support ticket if they prefer support by email. You can expect a response within 24 hours when you submit a support ticket. You can also join the StreamYard community on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.
Although StreamYard isn’t open source, you can submit suggestions to improve the platform to the developers. You can do this using the Feature Request form.
Verdict
While OBS has a vibrant community where you can easily get help, the Live Chat and direct email support give StreamYard the edge.
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Pricing
OBS
OBS is free and open-source software. Therefore, it doesn’t have any pricing plans. However, the platform welcomes donors and sponsors to help keep it online.
You can contribute by making donations on Open Collective or Patreon. Both platforms support recurring contributions. If you prefer to make a one-time contribution, you can also do that on Open Collective.
Furthermore, you can contribute to OBS via PayPal. You’ll find the PayPal link on the platform’s contribute page.
OBS will list your name as one of its sponsors if you contribute more than $50. Some of the software’s biggest sponsors are YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Logitech.
StreamYard
StreamYard has a free plan and premium plans. The free plan is dependable for live streaming but has its limits. Notably, it comes with a “StreamYard” watermark, and only six people can join your live stream.
You can get rid of these limits with any of the premium pricing plans below:
- Basic Plan: $25 per month; $20 per month if you pay annually.
- Professional Plan: $49 per month; $39 per month if you pay annually.
Aside from the above plans, StreamYard has separate plans for businesses. As a business, you have to first request a demo. Afterward, you can discuss a suitable payment plan with the sales team.
Similarities And Differences
Similarities
- Both StreamYard and OBS support any type of live streaming
- You can use either OBS or StreamYard for free
- Both platforms support streaming to Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and LinkedIn
- Both platforms support custom streaming destinations
- With either StreamTard or OBS, you get support for full HD streaming at 1080p
- Both platforms support video recording
Differences
- StreamYard is web-based software, while OBS is desktop software
- OBS is free and open-source, while StreamYard is proprietary and has paid plans
- OBS supports more than 50 streaming destinations, while StreamYard only supports six
- StreamYard doesn’t natively support Steam, but OBS does
- OBS lets you record your live streams on the go, but with StreamYard, you can create a record-only session
- OBS supports plugins and APIs, however, Streamyard supports none
- StreamYard features an on-site Live Chat, while OBS supports Discord chat for support
OBS vs StreamYard: Pros And Cons
OBS Pros
- Free to use
- Supports over 50 platforms to live stream
- Compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux
- Up to 1080p streaming
- Supports multistreaming via ReStream
- Supports multiple plugins and APIs
- Easy video recording
- Supportive community forum
OBS Cons
- Installation may be complex on Mac and Linux
- Not accessible via a browser
StreamYard Pros
- Easy to sign up and use
- Web-based live stream solution
- Supports 1080p streaming
- Supports record-only sessions
- Easy multistream setup
- Pre-designed business templates
- Live chat and email support
StreamYard Cons
- Limited free account
- Supports only six native streaming destinations
Bottom Line
You can do more with OBS than with StreamYard. This is expected considering that StreamYard is a web-based platform, while OBS can be installed.
Not to mention, OBS supports over 50 third-party platforms for live streaming. Furthermore, you don’t pay to use OBS, but you must pay if you want to access all StreamYard features. Therefore, OBS is the better platform.
