How to multistream from OBS Studio without a plugin
OBS streams to one place at a time. To multistream, point that one place at Upstream: OBS sends a single stream, and Upstream copies it to every platform you add, up to 10 at once. Your computer encodes once and uploads once, so adding Kick or Facebook costs your connection nothing extra.
OBS has everything built in. You paste a server address and a stream key (the private code that tells Upstream which stream is yours) into its Custom service. The one thing to know before you start: Upstream takes in up to 1080p at 30 frames per second, so a 60 fps setup is streamed at 30.
- Tested with OBS Studio 32.2
- No plugin
Before you start
- An Upstream account (the free plan is enough to test)
- OBS Studio on the computer you stream from
- The platforms you want to go live on
Step 1
Get your server URL and stream key from Upstream
In Upstream, press Create stream, choose Multistream from OBS (it works for any RTMP app or device) and add your platforms, up to 10. The stream opens in Live Studio with the RTMP input on. For a stream you already have, open Live Studio, Source and set Live Source to RTMP.
- RTMP Server URL
rtmp://ingest.upstream.so:1935/live- Stream Key
- Unique to each stream. Copy it from Upstream and keep it private.
Step 2
Paste the details into OBS
In OBS, open Settings and go to Stream. Set Service to Custom..., paste the RTMP Server URL into Server and the Stream Key into Stream Key, then press OK.
Or import a profile. In Upstream, press Download OBS profile. It holds this stream's server URL and key and a 1080p30 output profile. Unzip it, then in OBS choose Profile, Import and switch to the imported profile.
Step 3
Check the output settings
In OBS, the video settings are under Settings, Video and the bitrate under Settings, Output. Set Output Mode to Advanced to change rate control and the keyframe interval. These values work well with Upstream:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Output resolution | 1920 × 1080 Upstream takes in up to 1080p. |
| Frame rate | 30 fps Upstream converts 60 fps to 30. |
| Video bitrate | About 6,000 kbps Upstream's own OBS profile uses 7,000 kbps. Go lower, for example 4,500 kbps, if your upload is slow. |
| Rate control | CBR A constant bitrate keeps the feed steady. |
| Keyframe interval | 2 seconds A keyframe is a full picture. Live streams usually send one every 2 seconds. |
| Video encoder | H.264 x264, or a hardware H.264 encoder such as NVIDIA NVENC or Apple VideoToolbox. |
| Audio | AAC, 160 kbps The same as Upstream's OBS profile. |
Each platform also caps bitrate and stream length on its side. See the live streaming limits for YouTube, Twitch, Kick and more.
Step 4
Start the stream, then go live
Start the stream in Upstream first, then start streaming from OBS. Live Studio switches from Not connected to Excellent, Good or Poor connection when the feed arrives, and Upstream sends it to every platform on the stream.
Which stream key goes into OBS?
The Upstream one. OBS only talks to Upstream, so it gets the server URL and stream key from your Upstream stream, not the key from YouTube or Twitch. Pasting a YouTube key into OBS sends the stream to YouTube alone.
The platforms connect inside Upstream instead. YouTube, Twitch and Kick connect by signing in, and the others take their own key in Upstream. If you'd rather multistream from OBS itself with a plugin, that route works differently: see multistreaming on OBS with Aitum.
Troubleshooting
OBS keeps asking for a server or stream key
Check that Service is set to Custom... and that both Server and Stream Key are filled. The key goes in its own field, not on the end of the server address.
OBS stopped connecting after I reset the key
Reset Stream Key in Upstream makes a new key and cuts off the old one. Paste the new key into OBS. A profile you downloaded before the reset still has the old key, so download it again.
I stream at 60 fps but viewers get 30
That is expected. Upstream takes in up to 1080p at 30 fps and sends 30 fps to every platform. Set OBS to 30 fps under Settings, Video so it doesn't encode frames that get dropped.
For connection problems that aren't specific to OBS, such as Not connected, a poor connection or a leaked key, see the full RTMP troubleshooting list.
FAQ
Can OBS multistream without a plugin?
Yes. OBS sends one stream to Upstream through its built-in Custom service, and Upstream sends it on to up to 10 platforms. Your upload carries one stream instead of one per platform.
Can OBS stream to YouTube and Twitch at the same time?
Yes. Point OBS at Upstream and add YouTube and Twitch to the same stream in Upstream. Both connect by signing in. The YouTube and Twitch guide walks through it.
Does OBS have to stay open?
Yes, while you are live from OBS. If OBS stops, the Upstream stream keeps running without your feed. If the stream has a video playlist, viewers see that until OBS reconnects.
Is it free to multistream from OBS this way?
OBS is free, and Upstream's free plan includes 24 hours of streaming a month to up to 10 platforms, with no watermark.
Checked against OBS Studio 32.2 and the Upstream app, October 2026.
Set it up now
The free plan includes 24 hours of streaming a month and up to 10 destinations.