SRT vs RTMP: Which Streaming Protocol Should You Use?

When it comes to live streaming protocols, RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) has long been the industry standard. But in recent years, SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) has emerged as a modern alternative. If you're deciding between the two for your workflow—especially if you multistream or record streaming video—understanding their differences is crucial.

What Is RTMP?

RTMP was developed by Macromedia (now Adobe) and originally designed to stream audio, video, and data between a server and Flash player. Despite Flash becoming obsolete, RTMP remains widely used to ingest live video into streaming platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch.

Pros of RTMP:

• Low latency: Historically known for its sub-5-second latency.

• Platform support: Works with nearly all major streaming platforms and encoders.

• Ease of setup: Simple to implement and supported by most CDNs.

Cons of RTMP:

• Not secure: It lacks built-in encryption.

• Limited to TCP: RTMP doesn't handle network instability well.

• Outdated protocol: Originally built for Flash, which is no longer supported.

What Is SRT?

SRT is an open-source protocol developed by Haivision that’s designed to transport high-quality video over unreliable networks. It uses UDP, which allows it to minimize latency and recover from packet loss, jitter, and bandwidth fluctuations in real time.

Pros of SRT:

• Secure: Supports AES encryption.

• Reliable over bad networks: Ideal for mobile and remote streaming.

• High quality: Maintains better video integrity during transmission.

• Modern protocol: Designed for today’s broadcasting needs.

Cons of SRT:

• Complex setup: Requires more technical configuration than RTMP.

• Limited platform compatibility: Still gaining support on many CDNs and platforms.

Which Is Better?

RTMP is best for plug-and-play streaming where simplicity and compatibility matter most. It’s great if you're going live to Facebook or YouTube and need a fast setup. It also integrates well with multistream tools that send a single RTMP feed to a cloud service, which then distributes to multiple platforms.

On the other hand, SRT is ideal for more professional use cases where network conditions are unpredictable. It’s particularly useful for remote production, live contribution feeds, and high-bitrate broadcasting over long distances.

If your priority is to record streaming video in the highest possible quality without drops—especially in the field—SRT offers a more reliable path.

Use Case Summary

Final Thoughts

RTMP still dominates in terms of ease and platform support, but SRT is quickly becoming the go-to solution for professional streamers, broadcasters, and anyone operating in high-stakes or challenging environments. As streaming technology continues to evolve, expect to see more hybrid workflows using both.