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

OBS Studio

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

Streamlabs Desktop

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

Restream

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

OBS.Live by StreamElements

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

XSplit Broadcaster

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.