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How to stream on Twitch and YouTube at the same time

Twitch and YouTube are the most common pair to stream to together: Twitch for live chat and discovery while you're on, YouTube for search and the people who find your stream afterwards. You don't need two copies of OBS or a second PC to be on both.

Below are two ways to do it with Multistream: Multistream Cloud, where OBS uploads once and the cloud sends the stream to both, and the free Multistream app, where your own PC sends both copies. Both take about five minutes.

Method 1: Multistream Cloud (one upload for every platform)

Multistream Cloud takes one stream from OBS and sends a copy to Twitch and YouTube, and to up to 12 platforms in all. Your internet only uploads that one stream, so adding a platform doesn't need a faster connection. It comes with Pro, $10/mo.

  1. Create your Multistream account, then get Pro on your Account page.
  2. In the Studio, step 1 (Pick platforms), click Add a platform and add each one:
    • Twitch: click Sign in with Twitch, then Authorize in the Twitch window. Multistream reads your stream key for you.
    • YouTube: click Sign in with YouTube and pick your channel's Google account. Multistream Cloud then starts your YouTube broadcast by itself, so it doesn't sit in preview.
  3. Install Multistream for OBS (Windows 10 or 11, OBS 31 or newer) and open OBS. The Multistream dock opens on the right.
  4. In the dock, click Sign in with your browser and approve it.
  5. The dock's pre-flight check looks at your OBS settings, Multistream Cloud, your platforms and where OBS sends. If OBS isn't sending to Multistream yet, click Point OBS at Multistream.
  6. Click Go live on 2. After a 3, 2, 1 countdown, OBS starts streaming and Twitch and YouTube go live.

If OBS or your internet drops, Pro keeps your platforms live on your BRB clip for up to 30 minutes, and when OBS is back you carry on in the same broadcast, with the same chat. Turn it on under Disconnect protection.

Method 2: the free Multistream app (from your own PC)

The free Multistream app for Windows can send the copies from your own PC instead. Your upload then carries one copy for each platform, and if your PC's internet drops, your platforms drop with it. Run the app's Speed test first to see what your connection can carry.

  1. Download the Multistream app for Windows 10 or 11 and open it.
  2. Go to Multistream → Go live and set Where the relay runs to This PC.
  3. Open Setup guide and click Add a platform for Twitch and YouTube. Twitch, YouTube and Kick accounts you've connected in the app add in a click; the others take their stream key.
  4. Install Multistream for OBS and open OBS. Without Pro, the Multistream dock sends your stream through the app on this PC, so keep the app open.
  5. Click Go live on 2 in the dock. Your PC uploads one copy for each platform.

Good to know for Twitch and YouTube

YouTube can sit in preview. When you stream to YouTube from software, YouTube waits for you to press Go live in YouTube Studio unless Auto-start is on. If you add YouTube to Multistream Cloud by signing in, Multistream starts the broadcast for you, and makes one with your title if none is waiting.

Twitch's simulcasting rules. Twitch lets you stream the same thing elsewhere, as long as you don't point Twitch viewers to the other stream (no links, titles or chat commands sending them there), Twitch's stream isn't worse than the others, and you don't show merged chat from the other platforms on your Twitch stream. Multistream's pre-stream check reminds you of these when Twitch is on your list.

One title for both. Multistream Cloud's Stream info page sets one title and category for every platform as each one goes live, or a title of its own for any of them.

Keep Enhanced Broadcasting. If you use Twitch's Enhanced Broadcasting, OBS has to stream to Twitch itself. Multistream can still send the copy to YouTube: see how to multistream and keep Enhanced Broadcasting.

Questions, answered

Can I stream on Twitch and YouTube at the same time?

Yes. Twitch allows simulcasting as long as you follow its simulcast rules (don't direct Twitch viewers to the other stream, keep Twitch's quality at least as good, and no merged chat from the other platforms on your Twitch stream). YouTube has no rule against it.

Can I stream to Twitch and YouTube at the same time for free?

Yes, with the free Multistream app for Windows: your PC sends one copy to Twitch and one to YouTube, so your upload has to carry both. Multistream Cloud, which needs only one upload, comes with Pro for $10/mo.

How much upload speed do I need for Twitch and YouTube?

With Multistream Cloud, the same as for one stream: OBS uploads once. From your own PC, about twice your OBS bitrate plus some headroom, since each platform gets its own copy. The Speed test in the app and on the website shows what your connection carries.

Why is my YouTube stream stuck in preview?

YouTube waits for Go live in YouTube Studio unless Auto-start is on for that stream. Sign in with YouTube in Multistream Cloud and it goes live on YouTube by itself.

Do I need a second PC or a second OBS?

No. One OBS sends one stream to Multistream, and Multistream makes the copies, in the cloud or in the app on your PC.

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