Upstream vs. StreamYard
StreamYard is strong for guest-heavy shows, webinars, and recording. Upstream is the focused alternative for scheduled, pre-recorded, and 24/7 cloud streams with multistreaming, overlays, playback control, and a no-watermark free plan.
YouTube Verified Software Encoder
Upstream is a YouTube Verified Software Encoder - meaning your streams meet the highest technical and legal standards, guaranteed. Choose the best for your stream.
Best-in-class Stream Designer
Upstream’s Stream Designer has powerful overlay features. Embed websites & interactive elements, add images & videos, even use custom fonts! Make your stream come alive!
Multistream to 10 platforms
Broadcast your content to up to 10 platforms at once - including YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, TikTok, Kick, Rumble, and any RTMP destination. Maximum reach, minimal effort.
Compare Upstream & StreamYard
Compare Upstream's always-on cloud channel workflow with StreamYard's browser studio, webinar, recording, and live-show toolkit.
Upstream
StreamYard
Core 24/7 workflow
Purpose-built for always-on channelsDaily/weekly repeat schedulesUpdate playlists without stoppingPlaylist-based 24/7 operationUpload, schedule, design, and control in one flowStreaming operations
Usable for 24/7 workflowsYouTube Connect workflowDedicated backup stream workflowRoles for channel operationsProduction and design
Live Studio includedGuests when neededLayered Stream DesignerWebsite layers in the stream canvasWidgets, embeds, and visual layersCustom fonts for branded channelsMonetization and channel growth
Cue point control for YouTube monetizationBuilt around YouTube channel playoutSend viewers to YouTube, Twitch, Kick, and RTMP endpointsWhat sets Upstream apart
Industry leading streaming service built for 24/7 creators – more reach, more design power, more ease.
Upstream is YouTube Verified
YouTube recommends Upstream on the list of Software Encoders. To become a YouTube Verified 24/7 Streaming Software we had to go through a series of rigorous checks and processes to ensure your data is safe and being broadcast in the best possible quality.
Embed Websites
Embed websites to add another layer of interactivity to your stream! Simply paste your URL, choose where you want the website to show up, and set the refresh rate!
- Embed Your homepage, graphs, webcams, news - any embeddable website
- Add external real-time data to your stream
Multistream to 10 destinations
Multistreaming is one of the best ways to reach new audiences and start getting followers who simply don’t hang out on your primary streaming platform. Stream to up to 10 destinations – all you need is the RTMP/stream keys!
Embed Interactive Livestreaming Alerts & Widgets
Liven up your stream with real-time notifications, sub counts, donations, chat messages and other elements that motivate your community!
- Donation notifications
- Chat highlights
- New Subs / Sub Count
- StreamElements Widgets
Use Custom Fonts
Use some of our pre-loaded Google Fonts, or load up your own self hosted font via URL!
One-click Streaming (YouTube Connect via API)
Connect your YouTube and Upstream accounts and start your 24/7 livestreams with one click on Upstream! This brings many benefits:
- Stop and start streams via Upstream Dashboard (no need to visit YouTube Studio)
- Monitor viewer stats through Upstream
- Use YouTube Ad Cue Points
- Change Title, Description and Thumbnail on Upstream, on-the-fly
- Launch new 24/7 streams with just a few clicks
Features that set Upstream apart
More interactivity, better integration and easier control!
Our reviews
Hear first-hand from our incredible community of customers.
Super helpful staff if you have any questions. No issues with the platform so far. All minor issues were resolved within the same hour. Their customer service is top notch
Great Experience. Far better than other streaming services like Go Stream, Live Karo etc. because Upstream provide better bitrate for high quality live streaming for YouTube with pretty budget friendl...
I'm a new customer to upstream, but have been using vps for the past year. I've had numerous problems with my previous provider and decided to change. My first day contacting support I met Sebastian...
I'm completely brand-new to the nature of 24/7 livestreams. I needed something a bit specific, Sebastian and Dom were both HUGE helpers in explaining everything so I could easily understand it. On top...
The upstream is amazing, and the stream designer is a really great tool! I can rest assured that the live stream is performing perfectly 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are seriously considering sca...
Just what we needed. AMAZING customer service as well!!
When I decided to run a Stream first I needed to how to do it, and I learned. Then I had to choose a trustworthy platform so I searched many of them, and among all the options I choose Upstream becaus...
Fantastic service, super helpful support team. Would highly recommend.
I love how easy Upstream is to use - especially for someone like me who has no technical knowledge of servers. The whole process of a 24/7 live stream was overwhelming to me until I found upstream. Su...
I am brand new to stream a 24 seven I had the most amazing help from Dom & Mario!!! To be honest, their customer service is just as amazing as Apple! And everyone knows that I love Apple I am now curr...
results speak for themselves. since going live with upstream my stream got 10k views off an account with 900 followers. this tool helped me tap into a livestreaming market without going live by reusin...
I run a small YouTube channel with less than 100 subscribers but just using the free trial of Upstream got me 30 views (more than I normally get) and as subscriber IN ONE DAY. To Make things better I...
Not a trial. A real free plan.
Sign up free. 24 hours of live streaming every month. Every feature unlocked, no credit card, no watermark, upgrade any time.