For any brand or content creator, live streaming is an invaluable skill. It helps them engage with their audience in real-time and tells if their virtual presence aligns with their goals or needs some tweaks. It also helps increase visibility, eventually expanding their brand’s influence within the digital landscape.

While live videos may seem like table stakes, producing them is much easier said than done. Fortunately, this list of the best live streaming platforms does a lot of the heavy lifting.

Read on to learn about the right live streaming tools that you can use to drive your business forward and our top list of the most reliable and easy-to-use live streaming websites.

What is a Live Streaming Platform or Software?

A live streaming platform or software is a virtual tool that allows you to live stream in real-time. Instead of recording and uploading your videos, a live streaming platform lets you upload your live footage and be in front of your audience instantaneously.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Live Streaming Platform

While you shouldn’t get too caught up in comparing different live streaming platforms, a brief analysis of the competition can help you make the right choice. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a live streaming platform comparison:

• Participant Limit: The number of people who can appear in the live broadcast – especially useful if you are conducting a live talk show.
• Streaming Limit: The number of hours you can stream per month.
• Branding: Customization options to ensure your live videos have branded elements like your brand logo, overlays, backgrounds, etc.
• Multistreaming: The feature to stream to different platforms at once so that you can expand your audience reach.
• Pricing: The amount of money you’d have to spend to enjoy the features you want.

16 Best Live Streaming Platforms for 2023

1. Wave.video

Wave.video’s live streaming software is truly a revolutionary solution for broadcasters. The software allows you to stream to multiple channels simultaneously, easily invite guests, and amaze your audience with authentic branded broadcasts.

To make your streams look more professional and unique, you can personalize pre-designed live stream layouts, overlays, and scenes.

Here are a couple of unmatched features that make Wave.video stand out among the other live streaming platforms:

• Ability to stream video content from multiple cameras at once
• Adjustable chatbox
• Fully customizable stream overlays, banners, logos, and other visual elements
• Ability to repurpose and promote the recordings of your live streams by editing and hosting them within Wave.video platform.

2. YouTube Live

If you want to go live on YouTube, nothing can beat the native platform’s live streaming functionality. You can live stream using your mobile, webcam, or encoder. And there are even features to monetize your live streams.

YouTube Live is also a gem for its analytics that lets you track your live videos’ key metrics to create engaging content. Although YouTube Live is a free live streaming platform, you need to have at least 50 subscribers to stream using a mobile.

3. Twitch

Twitch is often considered a live gaming platform. But it’s not just that. Instead, the platform lets you stream almost anything – from music, sports and even creative work.

One of the most well-known free live streaming platforms out there, Twitch lets you interact with followers, enable live comments on your live broadcasts, use emote slots for better engagement and schedule your live streams. No wonder why gamers vouch for this site’s capabilities and opportunities to make their live streams pop!

4. Facebook Live

When Facebook Live hit the streets, it changed the live streaming scenario – for good. Today, live streams are booming on Facebook. Given the platform’s simplicity and features, brands are right there exploring and experiencing the benefits it offers.

Besides going live on a Facebook page to broadcast a Q&A, interview, or performance for free, you can also broadcast in a group or an event. Additionally, you can opt for in-stream ads to make money with your live broadcasts on the platform. All you need to ensure is that you comply with Facebook’s eligibility criteria.

5. Instagram Live

Well, ask any creator about live streaming on social and chances are they’ll mention Instagram Live. From live rooms that allow you to go live with up to three other people simultaneously to live fundraisers that help you raise money for a cause, Instagram offers it all.

You can also promote your live stream on the Gram and make it interactive with features like Q&A and media sharing. Moreover, as with other social media sites, this live streaming platform is also free for its users.

6. StreamYard

StreamYard has been cementing its status as an easy-to-use live streaming studio. Apart from being super simple to set up and operate, it lets you reach a broad audience on multiple platforms.

You can use this browser-based live streaming studio to invite guests, share your screen or slides, chat privately with other participants, show up comments, brand your broadcast, and do a lot more. While its “Free” plan is excellent enough to get you going with live streaming, StreamYard’s paid plans start from $20 per month.

7. Dacast

Here’s a live streaming platform perfect for businesses of all sizes and types. With Dacast, organizations can create interactive, flexible, and high-quality live streams. This all-in-one streaming platform boasts top-tier CDNs, video monetization options, secure video hosting, and more.

Then there’s analytics and bulk uploading to help you with all your professional live streaming requirements. So with its pricing starting from $39 per month, it’s no surprise that Dacast gets our vote for one of the best live streaming software available today.

8. Wirecast

Professional streamers looking for a live streaming software that kicks things up a notch would love Wirecast. The platform helps you create studio-quality live streams, thanks to its intuitive UI and professional production features.

With its built-in lower thirds title library, custom transitions, and social media integration, you get an end-to-end live streaming software.

You can get Wirecast Studio for $599 and Wirecast Pro for $799.

9. StreamShark

Another live streaming enterprise solution on the list, StreamShark enables instant stream archiving and offers real-time insights into how your live content is performing. A nice touch is the platform’s live DVR rewind feature that lets the late joiners catch up on the content you’ve already shared.

Other notable features include live highlight clips and excellent security controls.

Starting from $199 per month, this is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for one of the best live streaming tools for your business.

10. Be.Live

Going by its name, this one lets you be live on the web. Be.Live offers all that you’d expect from a feature-rich, simple, and smart online live streaming tool. You can multistream, brand your live streams, invite guests and even conduct live sales using this platform.

Although the free plan lets you enjoy features like three shows per month, two on-screen participants, and Video Editor (beta), you’d need to upgrade to multistream. Paid plans start from $29.99 per month.

11. Restream

The massive popularity of Restream shows no sign of waning – that’s why it’s a perfect entry to this list of best live streaming platforms for 2022. Another browser-based live streaming studio, Restream’s USP is that it allows you to simulcast to more than 30 social networks.

Then, features like Restream Chat, Scheduler, and Analytics ensure you stay on track with your live streams. With the free plan, you can stream to two channels, and the paid plans start from $16 per month.

12. Streamlabs

If you’re looking for a downloadable live streaming platform that lets you broadcast on the go, Streamlabs mobile app can do the trick. With this live streaming software, you can stream to multiple platforms and use custom mobile themes. It also offers free overlays and customizable alerts. Plus, you can sync your desktop settings to your mobile.

You can even earn points by streaming and redeem them on perks like mobile themes, disconnect protection, etc. While Streamlabs is free, you can get Streamlabs Prime for $19 per month to enjoy premium features and enhance your live stream channel on the platform.

13. LinkedIn Live

LinkedIn Live is a feature introduced by LinkedIn, the popular professional networking platform, that allows users to broadcast and view live video content. The platform provides various engagement features during live streams, such as real-time comments, reactions, and the ability to ask questions. To track the performance of live videos, LinkedIn Live offers analytics and insights, including viewership statistics, engagement metrics, and audience demographics.

To ensure the quality and professionalism of the content, LinkedIn has set certain criteria for eligibility to use the feature, including factors such as a minimum number of followers, engagement metrics, and adherence to their community guidelines.

14. Twitter Live

Twitter Live enables users to stream and view live video content. With Twitter Live, users can broadcast live video from their mobile devices or compatible streaming platforms.

Tweets with live videos are displayed in followers’ timelines and can be discovered through hashtags and trending topics. Viewers can engage with live streams by liking, retweeting, and commenting in real-time. Twitter Live also offers monetization options through ads and sponsorships, allowing content creators to generate revenue.

15. TikTok Live

TikTok Live is a feature on the TikTok platform that enables users to stream live video content and engage with their audience in real-time. Users can start a live stream, allowing their followers and the wider TikTok community to join and participate.

This tool offers various creative features such as filters, effects, and music integration. During live streams, viewers can interact through comments, likes, and virtual gifts that they can purchase and send to support their favorite creators.

16. Vimeo Livestream

Vimeo Livestream is a platform that offers live video streaming capabilities for individuals and businesses. The platform provides reliable streaming quality and a range of features to enhance the live experience, including customizable player embeds, privacy settings, and audience engagement tools.

Overall, Vimeo Livestream is a solid option for those seeking a reliable and customizable platform for live video broadcasting. Paid plan costs £60 per month.

Ready to go live?

Going live on social networks may very well be the best course to build an audience. But as with any other digital tool, choosing a live streaming software is not easy. There’s a lot to consider, and it’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

So, rethink your goals and choose a live streaming website that caters to all your requirements.

And if you need help understanding the power of live streams for your brand or business, we’ll leave you with a good read: 3 Fantastic Examples of Businesses Utilizing Live Videos to Nurture Leads!