May 14, 2025
ActionStreamer
Top Free Live Streaming Software Tools to Know in 2025
In 2025, live content remains a dominant force across industries—from creators engaging global audiences to enterprise teams showcasing real-time operations. Whether you're a content creator, a remote field technician, or part of a connected worker platform, having reliable, free live streaming software is essential.
This updated guide outlines a curated list of live streaming software tools you should know in 2025, including those that support multistream, allow you to record streaming video, and offer both recording and streaming software capabilities.
1. OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software)
Best for: Professionals and beginners who want full control.
OBS Studio continues to lead the pack in 2025. It’s open-source, highly customizable, and supports high-quality video with minimal latency. Features include scene switching, audio mixer, and compatibility with all major live streaming platforms.
Supports multistream with plugins (e.g., Multiple RTMP Output)
Free and open-source
Excellent for recording and streaming
✅ Great for: Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live, and enterprise workflows

2. Streamlabs Desktop
Best for: Gamers and content creators looking for user-friendly streaming.
Streamlabs Desktop offers a streamlined interface with built-in alerts and overlays. The free version supports streaming to 2 platforms simultaneously and allows local recording. Note the free plan limits guests to 1.
Multistream to 2 platforms on free plan
Local recording supported
Intuitive interface with customizable widgets
✅ Great for: Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and casual multistreamers

3. Restream
Best for: Brands and marketers who want simple multistreaming from the browser.
Restream’s free version allows streaming to 2 platforms simultaneously with chat integration. Recording is not yet available on the free tier but is coming soon. It supports over 30 platforms including LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.
Multistream to 2 platforms (free)
Recording feature coming soon for free users
Browser-based with easy setup
✅ Great for: LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and multi-audience broadcasting

4. OBS.Live by StreamElements
Best for: OBS users who want integrated chat, alerts, and overlays.
Built on OBS Studio, OBS.Live adds StreamElements’ chat, alerts, and overlay functionality to enhance viewer engagement without sacrificing customization.
Supports multistream via OBS plugins
Recording via OBS features
Integrated chat and alerts
✅ Great for: Streamers seeking enhanced interactivity on any RTMP platform

5. XSplit Broadcaster (Free Version)
Best for: Business users and professionals who want polished streams.
XSplit offers a clean interface with advanced features including RTMP support and local recording. However, multistreaming is only available with paid plans. Free streams include a watermark.
No multistream on free version
Local recording available
Professional UI with transitions
✅ Great for: Webinars, business presentations, and branded content

Choosing the Right Tool
Whether you're producing content for a personal brand or enabling remote situational awareness in industrial operations, choosing the right live streaming platform is about matching your goals with the right functionality. Prioritize tools that let you record streaming video, support multistream, and provide a stable environment for consistent performance.
Comparison
What's included in the free tiers?
Software Tool | Multistream Support (Free) | Record Streaming Video (Free) | Supported Live Streaming Platforms | Notable Features | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
OBS Studio | ✅ With plugin | ✅ Yes | Any live streaming platform with RTMP | Open-source, scene transitions, plugin support, no watermark | Professionals, open-source users |
Streamlabs Desktop | ✅ Up to 2 platforms | ✅ Yes | Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, RTMP | Custom overlays, alert boxes, 1 guest limit on free plan | Gamers, streamers, small-scale creators |
Restream (Free) | ✅ Up to 2 platforms | 🚧 Coming soon | 30+ platforms incl. YouTube, LinkedIn, RTMP | Browser-based UI, real-time chat, scheduling, limited multistream | Marketers, brand streams |
OBS.Live | ✅ With OBS plugin | ✅ Yes (via OBS) | Any RTMP-supported platform | Chatbot, alerts, overlay tools via StreamElements | OBS users who want added interactivity |
XSplit Broadcaster | ❌ (Multistream paid only) | ✅ Yes | Any live streaming platform with RTMP | Professional UI, transitions, RTMP support, watermark on free version | Webinars, internal events, branded content |
Final Thoughts
This list of live streaming software highlights the best free tools available in 2025. From content creators to field operators using rugged live-streaming setups, these platforms provide the core features you need to stay connected and keep audiences engaged.
ActionStreamer
[ Blog ]