5 Best Restream Alternatives 2026:
Unlimited Channels & Lower Costs
Restream limits you to 2-8 channels for $16-239/month and charges extra for features like branded streams. This comprehensive guide reveals 5 better alternatives including Shoutcast Net (unlimited channels $149/month), StreamYard, OBS.Live, OneStream, and Castr—all with transparent pricing and no channel restrictions.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Restream Alternatives
| Service | Pricing | Channel Limit | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoutcast Net | $149/month | UNLIMITED | 24/7 Radio/TV | Native social APIs, AutoDJ, analytics | No browser studio |
| StreamYard | $20-39/month | 6-8 destinations | Live interviews | Easy browser-based, guests | Channel limits, basic analytics |
| OBS.Live | FREE | UNLIMITED | Tech-savvy users | Free, unlimited, powerful | Requires OBS setup knowledge |
| OneStream | $15-99/month | 5-40 channels | Social media focus | Scheduled posts, analytics | Channel limits per tier |
| Castr | $39-149/month | 10-100 channels | High-scale streaming | Many integrations | Expensive for features |
| Restream (baseline) | $16-239/month | 2-30 channels | — | Chat aggregation | Channel limits, expensive |
Shoutcast Net: Unlimited Channels, Native Social APIs
Shoutcast Net is the best Restream alternative for 24/7 radio stations, TV channels, and content creators who need unlimited multi-channel streaming without artificial restrictions.
Key Advantages:
- UNLIMITED channels – Stream to YouTube, Facebook Live, Twitch, Twitter/X, TikTok Live, LinkedIn Live, Instagram Live, plus unlimited custom RTMP destinations. No 2-8 channel limits like Restream.
- Native Social APIs – Direct integration with Facebook Graph API, YouTube Data API, Twitter API. Push metadata (title, description, thumbnails) programmatically. Restream doesn't offer this.
- AutoDJ included – 24/7 automated music playback with playlists, scheduling, fallback streams. Perfect for radio stations. Restream has no AutoDJ.
- Real-time analytics – Geographic listener maps, device breakdown, peak hours, retention graphs. Restream analytics are basic.
- Flat-rate pricing – $149/month for unlimited viewers, unlimited hours, unlimited channels. Restream Enterprise is $239/month for only 30 channels.
Shoutcast Net Pricing
Video Hosting (unlimited channels)
Audio Hosting (unlimited channels)
View Plans 14-Day FREE TrialBest Use Cases for Shoutcast Net
- 24/7 Radio Stations – AutoDJ, unlimited channels, music scheduling
- Internet TV Channels – Video streaming, unlimited viewers, RTMP ingestion
- Podcast Simulcasting – Stream podcasts to all platforms simultaneously
- Content Creators – Unlimited social platforms, analytics, mobile apps
- Churches & Events – Multi-platform simulcast, simple setup
- Gaming Streamers – Twitch + YouTube + Facebook simultaneously
StreamYard: Browser-Based Live Streaming ($20-39/month)
StreamYard is ideal for live interviews, webinars, and talk shows with its browser-based studio. No software installation required.
Pricing:
- Basic: $20/month – 6 destinations, 720p, no branding removal
- Professional: $39/month – 8 destinations, 1080p, branding removal, custom logos
Pros:
- Easy browser interface (no OBS needed)
- Guest invitations via link (great for interviews)
- On-screen graphics, banners, lower-thirds
- Recording included
Cons:
- Limited to 6-8 destinations (vs unlimited with Shoutcast Net)
- No AutoDJ or 24/7 automation
- Basic analytics (no geographic data)
- Requires live host (not suitable for always-on radio)
StreamYard vs Restream
| Channels: | 6-8 |
| Pricing: | $20-39/mo |
| Guests: | Yes |
| Browser-based: | Yes |
OBS.Live: FREE Unlimited Multi-Streaming (Requires Technical Setup)
OBS.Live is a FREE plugin for OBS Studio that enables unlimited simultaneous RTMP outputs. Perfect for tech-savvy users.
Pricing:
FREE – Open-source plugin, no monthly fees, unlimited channels.
Pros:
- Completely FREE (vs $16-239/month Restream)
- UNLIMITED RTMP outputs (YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, custom servers)
- Full OBS power (scenes, filters, advanced mixing)
- No cloud processing (privacy, low latency)
Cons:
- Requires OBS Studio knowledge (not beginner-friendly)
- Manual RTMP key configuration for each platform
- No chat aggregation or analytics
- CPU-intensive (streaming to 5+ platforms requires powerful PC)
- No cloud-based automation (must run OBS locally)
Setup Difficulty
Verdict: Great for power users who want FREE unlimited streaming and already know OBS. Beginners should choose Shoutcast Net or StreamYard.
OneStream: Social Media Scheduling + Multi-Streaming ($15-99/month)
OneStream combines multi-streaming with social media post scheduling, analytics, and team collaboration.
Pricing:
- Basic: $15/month – 5 channels, basic analytics
- Professional: $45/month – 15 channels, advanced analytics
- Agency: $99/month – 40 channels, team accounts, white-label
Pros:
- Scheduled posts to social media (not just live streams)
- Analytics across platforms (engagement, reach)
- Team collaboration (multiple users)
- Pre-recorded video uploads (schedule ahead)
Cons:
- Still limited to 5-40 channels per tier (not unlimited)
- No AutoDJ for 24/7 radio automation
- Social focus (less ideal for pure broadcasting)
- More expensive than Restream for similar features
Best For:
- Social media managers
- Marketing agencies
- Content planners
- Multi-client management
Castr: High-Scale Multi-Streaming ($39-149/month)
Castr targets high-volume streamers needing 10-100+ simultaneous channel outputs with advanced features.
Pricing:
- Starter: $39/month – 10 channels, 100 GB bandwidth
- Growth: $79/month – 20 channels, 300 GB bandwidth
- Business: $149/month – 100 channels, 1 TB bandwidth
Pros:
- High channel counts (up to 100 with Business plan)
- Restreaming + video hosting + player embeds
- API access for automation
- Multi-bitrate adaptive streaming
Cons:
- Expensive ($149/month for 100 channels vs Shoutcast Net $149/month unlimited)
- Bandwidth limits (overage fees apply)
- Complex UI (steep learning curve)
- No AutoDJ or radio-specific features
Castr vs Shoutcast Net
| 100 Channels: | $149/mo |
| Unlimited Channels: | $149/mo (ShoutcastNet) |
| Bandwidth: | 1 TB limit |
| Bandwidth: | Unlimited (ShoutcastNet) |
Complete Feature Comparison Matrix
| Feature | ShoutcastNet | StreamYard | OBS.Live | OneStream | Castr | Restream |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $149 | $20-39 | FREE | $15-99 | $39-149 | $16-239 |
| Channel Limit | Unlimited | 6-8 | Unlimited | 5-40 | 10-100 | 2-30 |
| AutoDJ/24-7 | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Setup Difficulty | Easy | Easy | Advanced | Easy | Medium | Easy |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited | Local CPU | Unlimited | Limited | Unlimited |
| Analytics | Advanced | Basic | None | Advanced | Advanced | Basic |
| Browser Studio | Partial | Partial | ||||
| Native Social APIs | Yes | No | No | Yes | Limited | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready for Unlimited Multi-Channel Streaming?
Stop paying for channel limits. Shoutcast Net gives you unlimited YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Twitter, TikTok, and custom RTMP outputs for $149/month flat rate.