Streamlabs Multistream

Streamlabs Multistream is a cloud distribution service that sends one live broadcast to several platforms at once. It is best suited to creators who want broad reach, separate horizontal and vertical presentations, and centralized chat without maintaining multiple upload feeds. The main trade-off is that meaningful destination, guest, and storage expansion sits behind paid plans.

Overview

Streamlabs servers receive a single stream and forward it to destinations including Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, Kick, Facebook, Instagram, Patreon, X, and custom RTMP endpoints. That architecture avoids consuming additional upload bandwidth for every platform, making it a sensible choice when the broadcaster’s connection is more limited than the audiences they want to reach. Stream scheduling is supported, and Stream Shift can move an active broadcast between a PC, mobile device, or another computer without ending it.

Key features

Dual Output supplies horizontal and vertical canvases at the same time. Each canvas can have its own layout and resolution, while titles and descriptions can be tailored per destination. The free setup allows one destination on each canvas, which is enough for a basic landscape-plus-portrait workflow but not for distributing both formats widely without upgrading.

Multichat brings comments into one place, with different controls by service. You can read and post on YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Pages; Kick, X, and Facebook Profiles provide reading only. That is useful for monitoring a mixed audience, but creators expecting universal reply capability should not treat every listed destination as equivalent.

Input options include Streamlabs Desktop, the OBS Plugin with Ultra, the Streamlabs Mobile app, or other streaming software configured through the Dashboard and RTMP credentials. This range accommodates desktop production, mobile broadcasting, and existing encoder setups. Streamlabs positions its desktop software for streamers, gamers, and creators who want to broadcast and engage audiences.

Pricing

Streamlabs uses a freemium model. A free plan includes Multistream and Dual Output with one horizontal and one vertical destination, making it suitable for trying the workflow or maintaining a two-endpoint presence.

Starter has custom pricing. It includes one vertical destination, one horizontal destination, one guest or camera, and 1 GB of cloud storage, so it remains a constrained option for small productions that need limited collaboration and storage.

Ultra costs $27 a month on monthly billing and includes three or more destinations, up to 11 guests or cameras, and 10 GB of cloud storage. It is the stronger fit for collaborative shows and productions that need substantially more inputs. Streamlabs Ultra starts at $15.75 a month and includes multistreaming to multiple destinations with three or more destinations; the published starting price is tied to annual billing. Compare the billing term before choosing between the monthly Ultra price and the lower annual starting rate.

Platforms

Streamlabs Multistream is available on Android, iOS, macOS, the web, and Windows. Streamlabs Desktop runs on Windows 10 or later and macOS 12 or later. Mobile multistreaming is handled through the Streamlabs Mobile app, while web and RTMP configuration support other encoder workflows.

Who it's for

Choose it if you publish to several mainstream networks, need one cloud-managed upload, or want distinct portrait and landscape treatments. It also suits creators who move between desktop and mobile during a live event. It is less appropriate if your priority is completely free, unrestricted multistreaming, universal two-way chat, or a production that needs many guests without a paid subscription.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Cloud forwarding reduces the upload burden of separate platform feeds.
• Pros: Broad destination coverage includes major networks and custom RTMP.
• Pros: Dual Output supports horizontal and vertical presentations with per-canvas settings.
• Pros: Stream Shift preserves a live session when changing devices.
• Cons: Free Dual Output is limited to one destination per canvas.
• Cons: Chat posting works on only some listed services.
• Cons: More destinations, guests, and storage require paid access.

Alternatives

Restream is a strong alternative if a free plan with two simultaneous channels, Restream branding, and recording limits matches your needs. Pick OBS Studio when you want free software with no watermarks or usage limits on Linux, macOS, or Windows, rather than a bundled cloud multistream service. mimoLive suits Mac and iOS users who want a feature-rich free tier but can accept a watermark. PRISM Live Studio is worth considering for mobile and desktop creators who need up to six channels on its $9.99 monthly Plus plan. Agora Interactive Live Streaming is an option for developers building around participant-minute usage. XSplit Broadcaster fits Windows users seeking a conventional broadcaster, though its free tier has no simultaneous multistreaming. OneStream Live is preferable when two free destinations, 720p output, one team seat, and scheduled events cover the workflow. Meld Studio is an alternative for Windows and macOS users who want multistreaming alongside recording and clipping tools.

Verdict

Streamlabs Multistream is a good choice for creators who need cloud-based distribution across several networks, especially when one stream must serve both horizontal and vertical audiences. Its destination breadth, device handoff, and reduced upload demand are the main reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere if your budget requires genuinely unrestricted free multistreaming, if every chat service must support replies, or if you prefer a standalone encoder without paid destination and production limits.