6 Best Restream Alternatives in 2023
Searching for Restream alternatives? You’re not alone. Restream may have a wealth of features and options for multistreaming, but it’s not the right platform for everyone.
Let’s explore six other options for multistreaming and share the absolute best Restream alternative.
What is Restream?
Restream is a streaming platform that focuses primarily on multistreaming (i.e. streaming to multiple platforms at once). But they also have other tools designed to make your stream a success, like:
- Uploading and streaming your recorded videos live
- Chatting with viewers in multi-chat
- Measuring your success with analytics
With Restream, you can share your streams on 30+ platforms all from the same browser. You can invite guests to boost your stream’s engagement and even brand your stream to take your professionalism to the next level.
Restream’s analytics feature makes it easy to measure your success on each streaming platform. You can also gain insight into which parts of your stream get the most engagement, your total watched minutes and more.
With Chat Analytics, you can see the most popular phrases used, trending emojis and top chatters. These insights can help you see what people are interested in and what’s keeping them engaged.
While Restream is certainly a robust platform, it does have some drawbacks. Apart from costs, Restream is lacking editing features, stock libraries, and other assets that can help streamers stand out in the crowd.
That’s why many brands and content creators search for Restream alternatives that offer all of the features they want or need.
Wave.video is the best alternative to Restream, and the two platforms share many of the same features.
Restream vs Wave.video: Comparison
While Wave.video and Restream are two different platforms, they both share some common features.
Common Features of Restream and Wave.video
Many of the features that make Restream so attractive are also offered by Wave.video, like:
- Effortless multistreaming to multiple channels
- Easy scheduling for live streams
- Wave.video’s Co-streaming, which is just like Restream Pairs and allows guests to add their channels to your stream
- High-quality HD streaming
- Portrait mode option, which uses the vertical layout for more mobile-friendly streaming
- Streaming of pre-recorded videos
- Live chat support
Wave.video offers the same standout features that Restream offers, but Wave also goes the extra mile to provide streamers with tools and assets that boost engagement. When you consider these extra perks, Wave is truly the better platform.
What Makes Wave.video Better Than Restream?
Wave.video and Restream both have user-friendly interfaces that make it easy to start streaming, even if you have no experience. But Wave has the edge on Restream for a number of reasons:
Built-in Editor
Unlike Restream, which focuses only on live streaming, Wave.video helps you make the most out of all of your video content, including your streams.
With the built-in video editor, you can tweak and fine-tune your stream recordings and repurpose them for other social platforms.
Right in Wave’s browser-based editor, you can add:
- Text
- Overlays and stickers
- Audio
- Captions
- Stock photos
- More
Having the option to edit your live stream recordings allows you to extend your content even further.
Live Streaming Studio
Wave.video’s Live Streaming Studio gives you an OBS-like experience right in your browser. With customizable layouts, overlays, multiple design features and the option to have multiple scenes, Live Streaming Studio makes it effortless to create professional streams from day one.
With Live Streaming Studio, you can also:
- Grant team members and co-hosts all the privileges they need to create content together.
- Manage your guest list, so you never have to worry about unwanted visitors.
- Schedule multistreaming in just a few clicks to save time.
- Invite guests to your stream by sending them a simple link.
- Choose from a variety of backdrop visuals, banners, overlays, frames and more.
- Share more than one screen or play a video during your stream.
Live Streaming Studio serves as your one-stop shop for creating professional-quality live streams.
Extensive Media Library for Advanced Customization
Wave.video gives streamers the tools and assets they need to boost user engagement. Wave has an impressive library of stock:
- Videos
- Audio effects
- Royalty-free music
- GIFs
- More
All of these assets can be used to customize your livestream and help you stand out in the crowd.
Customizable Templates
With Wave.video, you can take your live streams to the next level with hundreds of customizable templates right at your fingertips.
From transparent overlays to countdown videos, lower-thirds and more, there’s no shortage of professional templates available for streamers.
Streaming Audio for Content Repurposing
One big advantage of Wave.video’s Live Streaming Studio is that it can double as recording software, allowing you to create:
- Interviews
- Podcasts
- Tutorials
- More
Having the option to repurpose just your audio is yet another way Wave helps you make the most of your content.
Wave.video’s features make it the best Restream alternative out there. But if you still want to experiment with different platforms, these six platforms are worth considering.
6 Best Restream Alternatives
1. Switchboard Live
Switchboard Live is a popular streaming platform that allows you to stream to multiple destinations at once. Features like embedded video players, quick setup and unlimited stream destinations are just a few of the reasons streamers consider Switchboard Live.
But if you’re comparing Restream vs Switchboard, you’ll find that Switchboard is lacking a few features, like:
- Live chat
- Editing tools
- Collaboration with guests
- HD streaming
However, Switchboard Live does have some standout features, like:
- Unlimited stream destinations, team members and inputs
- Video annotations
While anyone can use Streamboard, they seem to be targeting houses of worship, educational institutions, sports and media, musicians and individual creators.
Pros
- Unlimited stream destinations
- Quick and easy setup
- Video player embedding
Cons
- No option for HD streaming
- No chat features
- Minimal customization options
Verdict
Switchboard Live can be a great Restream alternative if you’re in one of their targeted industries, like sports and media, music, or podcasting. But it lacks customization options, which can make it difficult to brand your streams. It also lacks the option for HD streaming. Still, the platform is trusted by companies like ESPN and Harley-Davidson, so they’re worth considering if you’re in the right industry.
2. Wirecast
Wirecast is a streaming solution offered by Telestream. Along with live stream capturing, the platform offers editing options and the ability to multistream to an unlimited number of destinations.
Compared to Restream, Wirecast has some advantages, like:
- Use of their stock media library
- Auto-archiving
- Playlist creation
- Organizational features
- Remote production
- Social media integration
But here’s what really makes Wirecast stand out: there’s no monthly subscription. Wirecast offers a lifetime license, but it comes at a steep price point of $599 for the Studio tier and $799 for the Pro tier.
What do you get for this price?
- Unlimited inputs
- Option to add remote guests
- Advanced audio mixer
- Lower thirds title library built-in
- Unlimited destinations
- Access to a stock media library
The Pro tier also has helpful features like scoreboards and instant replays for sports productions, pro audio controls, PTZ camera control and more.
One big drawback with Wirecast is that it’s a traditional software program, which means you’ll need to install it on a desktop or laptop.
Wirecast is a true professional streaming solution targeted toward broadcasting networks.
Pros
- Unlimited inputs and streaming destinations
- One-time fee for a lifetime license
- Access to a stock media library
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- High price
Verdict
Wirecast is worth considering as a Restream alternative if you are a professional broadcaster or an enterprise. But with a high price and steep learning curve, Wirecast may not be the ideal option for small businesses, creators and those who are just getting started with streaming.
3. Castr
Castr is a live-streaming platform for individuals and businesses that makes it easy to stream, schedule, host and even monetize your content from one place.
Castr has many similar features to Restream and some that are unique:
- Stream to 30+ platforms at the same time
- Up to 4K quality available
- Multistream and embedded player livestream options
- Monetization options with subscription buttons and website links
- Create and manage OTT apps
- Transform live streams into on-demand videos (VOD)
- Upload and live stream pre-recorded content
- Get access to analytics
- Pay Per View streaming options
Castr also has a multi-chat overlay option for live streams, which makes it a viable Restream chat alternative. It allows you to view chat messages across multiple platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, etc.
Castr also offers multiple package options to suit a wide variety of needs and budgets.
Pros
- Stream to multiple platforms at the same time
- 4K streaming options
- Monetization options
- Tools for content repurposing
Cons
- No video editor
Verdict
Castr is an impressive Restream alternative and has many of the same features that Restream users love. But Castr is lacking a video editor, which makes it tricky to repurpose recorded streams. And unless you move to a higher subscription tier, you’ll be limited in the number of concurrent streams and stream destinations.
4. Resi
Resi is a solution that many professionals choose because it’s highly reliable. Critical functions work very well in the platform, but the UI is lacking and a tad confusing. The platform has a lot of key features, such as:
- Resilient streaming protocol
- RTMP designation streams, such as LinkedIn and TikTok
- Real-time analytics
- Automatic closed captioning
- Automatic subtitles
- Pre-recorded streaming options
Customer service and support at Resi are top-notch, providing peace of mind that if you have questions, you can be confident the professionals at the company will respond.
Pros
- Responsive support team
- Straight-to-web streaming
- Multi-site streaming
- Studio allows you to schedule ahead of time
- Accessibility features built-in
Cons
- Recording issues often occur
- High cost
- Encoder default is SDI
Verdict
Resi offers a great product and is highly reliable. One of the areas where Resi doesn’t meet the needs of consumers is the price. You’ll need to have a high budget for this product, but it does offer some of the best multisite, live streaming and live simulation in the industry.
If you produce professional productions often and don’t mind a steeper learning curve and a complex UI, Resi is a good option.
5. Videolinq
Videolinq is an all-in-one platform that powers live streams. You can reduce creation costs and time while creating stunning live broadcasts. The platform integrates neatly with multiple platforms, including:
- Twitch
- YouTube
- RTMP
- Vimeo
Users can sign up for a free account, but you have a 0GB allowance on the account and can only stream for 10 minutes. Pricing for even the basic plan is expensive at $49 a month, and you can only live stream on two channels at once.
Additional features include the ability to stream recorded files, HD video, custom RTMP outputs, create playlists, add closed captioning, video player with embed code, steam monetization and more.
Pros
- Simple to stream to multiple social channels at once
- API to create your own solution
- Works seamlessly with OBS and Zoom
- Pre-record and scheduling options
- Video analytics
- Monetization options
Cons
- Vague language for stream output limits
- CDN charge when streaming to your website
- Steep learning curve
Verdict
Videolinq is a strong platform for streaming, but even the basic tier has strict limitations in place. You do have access to a social media studio, but there are a lot of questions about stream output limits. The company says “it varies,” for the Basic and Premium plan, but that’s simply too vague for users.
6. Boxcast
Boxcast is a live streaming and broadcasting platform that is designed to expand your live events’ reach to anyone, anywhere in the world. You can begin using the platform for free, and it’s considered a “software + hardware” solution.
You can begin live broadcasts on your iOS device, or you can use the BoxCaster encoder.
There is also the option to use RTMP to stream video. You can stream on multiple platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others. A touch of a button allows you to stream to BoxCast.tv, Roku, Chromecast and more.
Pros
- Schedule or start and stop streams manually
- Stream settings remain for the next stream
- Editing and recording is easy
- Built-in chat features
Cons
- App seems to log you out for no reason
Verdict
BoxCast has a steep starting cost, but the software seems to have issues with older devices. If you overlook these minor drawbacks, the platform is powerful and consistent. You can quickly bring your stream to the next level with easy editing, stream recording and scheduling.
Conclusion
Restream alternatives empower you to create broadcasts that users will love and your team will have an easy time creating. The options above all have their advantages and disadvantages, but they offer features that we often find lacking. After our thorough review, Wave.video remains the top option to replace Restream.