# Lightstream vs Owncast

**Leader by vioscaleAI score:** Lightstream

| Attribute | Lightstream | Owncast |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 69.6 (78% (high)) | 34.9 (77% (high)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | - | 48 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | - | 1 |
| adoption.github_stars | - | 11,587 |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"Lightstream is a streaming toolkit that enables creators to add professional overlays, graphics, transitions, and effects to their live streams across platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Mixer. It's designed to simplify stream production without requiring advanced technical knowledge. It is indexed under Live Streaming.","source":"https://golightstream.com/lightstream-studio-pricing-updates/","question":"What is Lightstream?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Lightstream offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://golightstream.com/lightstream-studio-pricing-updates/","question":"Is Lightstream free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed browser-based access to Lightstream. That is the extent of what we could verify from public sources, so it may well offer desktop or mobile clients we have not indexed.","source":"https://golightstream.com/lightstream-studio-pricing-updates/","question":"What platforms does Lightstream support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have only confirmed a cloud / SaaS deployment for Lightstream, so it appears to be vendor-hosted. If a self-hosted option exists we have not found it documented publicly.","source":"https://golightstream.com/lightstream-studio-pricing-updates/","question":"Can Lightstream be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 5 integrations for Lightstream, including Rainmaker, StreamElements, Twitch, YouTube and Mixer. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://golightstream.com/lightstream-studio-pricing-updates/","question":"What does Lightstream integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Lightstream is available worldwide. The vendor is headquartered in the United States.","source":"https://golightstream.com/lightstream-studio-pricing-updates/","question":"Where is Lightstream available?","confidence":0.75}]` | `[{"answer":"An open source streaming server that runs on your infrastructure using standard protocols, featuring built-in chat, moderation, custom branding, and no subscription fees or viewer limits. It is indexed under Live Streaming.","source":"https://owncast.online","question":"What is Owncast?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Owncast is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the MIT licence. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://owncast.online","question":"Is Owncast free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Owncast supports the web and a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://owncast.online","question":"What platforms does Owncast support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Owncast can be deployed cloud / SaaS and self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://owncast.online","question":"Can Owncast be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Owncast is published under the MIT licence, a permissive licence that generally allows commercial use and modification. Licence terms can change between releases, so verify against the repository for the version you intend to use.","source":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast","question":"Is Owncast open source?","confidence":0.95}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true}` | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | A suite of tools that enables streamers to enhance their live broadcasts with professional effects, overlays, transitions, and text without requiring advanced video editing expertise. | An open source streaming server that runs on your infrastructure using standard protocols, featuring built-in chat, moderation, custom branding, and no subscription fees or viewer limits. |
| features.capabilities | `{"pricing_model":"flat_monthly_subscription","architecture_model":"browser_cloud_studio","simulcast_multi_destination_rtmp_output_hub":true,"custom_lower_thirds_graphics_and_brand_overlays":true}` | `{"pricing_model":"free_open_source","architecture_model":"open_source_local_encoder","gpl_or_permissive_oss_license":true}` |
| integrations.count | 6 | 3 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Rainmaker","native":false},{"name":"StreamElements","native":false},{"name":"Twitch","native":true},{"name":"YouTube","native":true},{"name":"Mixer","native":true},{"name":"Xbox","native":true,"direction":"inbound"},{"name":"PlayStation","native":true,"direction":"inbound"},{"name":"Custom RTMP","native":true,"direction":"outbound"}]` | `[{"name":"Mastodon","native":true,"category":"social","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"ActivityPub","native":true,"category":"social","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"Webhooks","native":true,"direction":"outbound"}]` |
| language.primary | - | Go |
| license.spdx | - | MIT |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | - |
| platform.support | `{"web":true}` | `{"web":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"hybrid","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Free","summary":"Free","features":["Cloud capture for Xbox and PlayStation","Simulcasting with up to 5 destinations including Custom RTMP","Stream templates and overlays","XPN alerts and overlays","720p streaming","10 hour limit per stream","Lightstream Studio logo on all streams"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":0,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Core Studio features with limitations","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"resolution":"720p","guest_count":"0","destinations":"5","streaming_hours_per_stream":"10"}},{"free":false,"name":"Premium","summary":"$12/mo or $9/mo billed annually","features":["Remove Lightstream Studio logo from streams","Add up to 10 guests to your stream","Import URLs from any 3rd party service","720p and 1080p streaming","48 hour limit per stream","Up to 20 scenes","RTMP video sources (coming soon)"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":12,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},{"kind":"fixed","amount":9,"period":"month","currency":"USD","commitment":"annual"}],"description":"Core Studio features plus advanced capabilities","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"scenes":"20","resolution":"1080p","guest_count":"10","streaming_hours_per_stream":"48"}}],"summary":"Free tier available. Premium at $12/mo or $9/mo on annual subscription.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://golightstream.com/?ae_global_templates=pricing-tables","retrievedAt":"2026-10-15T21:01:22.270Z","startingPrice":{"amount":9,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` | `{"type":"free_open_source","summary":"Free and open source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://owncast.online","retrievedAt":"2026-10-12T15:31:16.668Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | freemium | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | low | low |
| pricing.starting_price | `{"amount":9,"currency":"USD"}` | - |
| pricing.transparent | yes | - |
| release.cadence_days | - | 105 |
| release.history | - | `[{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.3.0","date":"2026-09-03T16:31:05Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.3.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.5","date":"2026-04-11T22:44:17Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.2.5"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.4","date":"2026-01-10T23:34:29Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.2.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.3","date":"2025-05-10T21:14:45Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.2.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.2","date":"2025-05-03T18:45:34Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.2.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.1","date":"2025-01-17T21:21:34Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.2.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.2.0","date":"2025-01-11T23:07:48Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.2.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.1.3","date":"2024-04-07T20:13:03Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.1.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.1.2","date":"2023-11-18T21:17:25Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.1.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.1.1","date":"2023-07-28T20:07:08Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.1.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.1.0","date":"2023-05-30T16:18:06Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.1.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.13","date":"2022-11-27T00:43:27Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.0.13"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.12","date":"2022-07-09T21:24:54Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.0.12"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.11","date":"2022-03-05T19:28:03Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.0.11"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.10","date":"2021-10-06T22:40:14Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.0.10"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.9","date":"2021-09-26T21:37:40Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.0.9"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.8","date":"2021-08-11T16:19:46Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.0.8"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.7","date":"2021-05-15T16:44:35Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.0.7"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.6","date":"2021-03-08T18:25:51Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.0.6"},{"url":"https://github.com/owncast/owncast/releases/tag/v0.0.5","date":"2021-01-13T07:30:48Z","type":"stable","version":"v0.0.5"}]` |
| security.disclosure_policy | - | yes |
| security.scorecard | - | 4.7 |
| security.trust_center | - | https://owncast.online/security |
| security.vulnerabilities | - | `{"count":5,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=go&package_name=github.com%2Fowncast%2Fowncast&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":"CRITICAL"}` |

## Capabilities (Live Streaming)

| Capability | Lightstream | Owncast |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Architecture model | Browser cloud studio | Open source local encoder |
| Simulcast multi destination rtmp output hub | ✓ | - |
| Remote guest browser invites for interviews webrtc | - | - |
| Custom lower thirds graphics and brand overlays | ✓ | - |
| ISO track recording for isolated guest audio video | - | - |
| Hardware encoding acceleration nvenc quicksync | - | - |
| Srt secure reliable transport protocol support | - | - |
| Multi network unified aggregated chat feed | - | - |
| Chroma key green screen and virtual backgrounds | - | - |
| Ndi network device interface feed ingestion | - | - |
| SOC2 type ii | - | - |
| Gpl or permissive oss license | - | ✓ |
| Pricing model | Flat monthly subscription | Free open source |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T20:18:02.736Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*