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How to stream on YouTube and Facebook at the same time

YouTube and Facebook Live are where churches, schools, local shows, musicians and businesses most often stream, because that's where their audience already is. One OBS can go live on both at once.

Two ways with Multistream follow: Multistream Cloud, where OBS uploads once and the cloud sends it to both, and the free Multistream app, which sends both copies from your own PC.

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

Multistream Cloud takes one stream from OBS and sends a copy to YouTube and Facebook, 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:
    • 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.
    • Facebook: paste the stream key from Live Producer → Streaming software, and turn on Use a persistent stream key there so it stays the same.
  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 YouTube and Facebook 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 YouTube and Facebook. 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 YouTube and Facebook

Use a persistent Facebook key. In Facebook's Live Producer, under Streaming software, turn on Use a persistent stream key. Otherwise the key changes and you'd have to paste a new one before each stream.

YouTube's first stream. Turning on live streaming for a YouTube channel can take up to 24 hours the first time (YouTube Studio → Create → Go live). After that, sign in with YouTube in Multistream Cloud and your broadcast starts by itself.

If your connection is shaky. Multistream Cloud also takes SRT from OBS, which copes better with a weak or patchy connection, and RTMPS, which keeps your stream key encrypted. Pick them in the Studio's step 2.

Questions, answered

Can I stream to YouTube and Facebook at the same time?

Yes. Send OBS to Multistream and it sends the stream to YouTube and Facebook together, from the cloud or from your own PC with the free app.

Where's my Facebook stream key?

In Facebook's Live Producer → Streaming software. Turn on Use a persistent stream key there so it stays the same between streams.

Do I need a Facebook Page, or does my profile work?

Use whichever Facebook gives you a stream key for in Live Producer: Multistream streams to the key you paste.

What if my internet drops in the middle of a service or show?

With Pro, disconnect protection keeps YouTube and Facebook live on your BRB clip for up to 30 minutes, and you carry on in the same broadcast when OBS is back.

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