Restream is an online app that lets you go live simultaneously on different platforms. Best of all, its Basic plan is free to use. Here’s how you can get started.
What Is Restream?
Restream primarily focuses on multistreaming, where they gather your video stream and then transmit it across multiple platforms. However, that’s just the start of what they offer. You can also use the web app to schedule your recorded videos for livestreaming.
They also have a chat function that allows you to respond to comments and messages from all platforms in just one window. And if you want to measure how your livestreams perform, the app also features analytics, allowing you to check your broadcasts across platforms from a single view.
Since Restream is a browser-based app, you can run this on any computer. Whether you’re using a Mac, a PC, or Linux, you can use Restream to start livestreaming.
Restream Plans
The thing streamers love most about Restream is that it’s free to use. The Basic plan lets you use Restream Studio to simultaneously share your camera to two platforms. You can even invite up to six on-screen participants to join you in the discussion.
Aside from that, you can use OBS Studio, Streamlabs, Zoom, or whatever platform you use, transmit its output to Restream, and then use Restream to split the signal across your chosen audience. You can also interact with your audience with the free Basic plan.
But if that’s not enough, you can upgrade to the Standard plan. This costs $16 per month and lets you multistream to up to five channels. You can now start streaming to Facebook groups and pages, plus custom RTMP streaming.
You can use a custom logo and branding on your streams, ensuring that your live show looks professional. Restream Standard has even more to offer—you can now have ten participants and stream on guest channels. You can also start working with teams, with two users able to access your account.
The Professional plan costs $41 per month and lets you stream across eight channels. You can also go live at 1080p full HD instead of 720p HD, as well as go live with recorded video in this tier.
Above those three tiers are the Premium plan at $83 per month and Business at $249 per month. These tiers are designed for professional and corporate channels, especially those that broadcast across various platforms.
Making Your Account
You should stick with the free plan if you’re just trying out Restream. You can easily create an account by linking your Google or Facebook account. Alternatively, you can log in using a personal email and password combination.
Once you’ve made an account, the app will ask you how you want to go live: via Restream Studio or other software. If you already stream with OBS Studio, Streamlabs, or other streaming apps, you should pick the latter. But if you’re new to streaming, the former is the better option.
After making your choice, the app will ask you to connect to the different platforms where you want to go live. While you can connect four accounts at the start—YouTube (Google), Facebook, Twitch, or Twitter—you can only go live on two platforms at a time if you’re using a free account.
When you’re done logging in and connecting your accounts, the app will ask if you want to subscribe. If you don’t want to pay for anything just yet, click on the Skip for now button right under the plan window. Once done, your account is now set up, and you can start preparing your stream.
Setting Your Destinations
After the initial setup, you can add destinations to your account. If you’re in Restream Studio, click on the profile icon beside the stream title at the top of the page. In the Destinations window that will appear, you can see which channels are ready to broadcast live. Click on + Add Destination if you want to go live on other platforms.
Once you’ve added all the platforms where you want to go live, you can toggle the sliders on the selected platform to choose which ones will carry your current live stream. Once you’re done with your selections, click on Close.
If you’re using a streaming app on your PC, you’ll have to use the Restream Encoder view. On the right column, you can pick which destinations you want to send your stream to. If you want to add more channels, just click on + Add Channel under the Destinations tab and choose which platform you want to add.
Once done, you can start getting ready to go live.
Going Live
There are two ways to go live on Restream. One is through the Restream Studio, where you can use your camera to stream directly to your audience. You can add guests so that the studio would act like a Zoom meeting while you’re sending the feed to your wider audience.
You can also use the Share screen button to show your monitor or the Add source icon to share other files, like videos and royalty-free music.
The right column shows three tabs: Chat, Captions, and Graphics. Chat is used to interact with your audience across different platforms, while Captions allows you to show text at the lower part of your screen. Graphics allows you to customize your screen and make your stream more visually appealing.
Once you’re satisfied with your preparations, all you need to do is click on Go Live right at the top of the screen, and you’re sending your stream out to the world.
However, if you already have a complete streaming setup and simply want to multistream, you can use the Restream Encoder instead. Just copy the RTMP URL and the Stream Key and input them into your streaming app. If you’re using OBS, choose Custom in the service dropdown menu, paste the RTMP URL in Server, and then place the correct Stream key under Stream key.
Once you’ve entered all the correct details, click on Start Streaming, and Restream should start receiving your stream feed. By the way, if your channels are toggled to On, and you start streaming from your streaming app to Restream, Restream will automatically go live on your chosen channels. So ensure that you’re ready to go live before pressing Start Streaming!
Multistream for Free With Restream
Restream is an excellent service for multistreaming. While the free plan limits your quality, it does allow you to chat with your followers on both platforms simultaneously. And if you need to reach more people across more platforms, you can always upgrade your plan.
Best of all, you don’t need to download and install an app to get access to these services. In fact, you can run it all from your browser. You only need less than five minutes to set up the app, and you’re good to go. This is a convenient and free solution to your multistreaming needs.
