Lightstream vs StreamYard
No clear leader: Lightstream (69.6) and StreamYard (66.2) are within the 5-point margin; treat as a tie. The attribute-by-attribute breakdown below, with a source and date on every value, is the honest way to compare them.
Capabilities
Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for live streaming. “-” means undocumented, not absent.
What each one is
The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.
Lightstream
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.
StreamYard
A cloud-based video studio that allows users to produce, broadcast, and record video content with support for remote participant joining, customizable branding and graphics, and simultaneous distribution to multiple streaming platforms.
Pricing
List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.
Lightstream
Free tier available. Premium at $12/mo or $9/mo on annual subscription.
- FreeFree
- 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
- +2 more
- Premium$12/mo or $9/mo billed annually
- 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
- +2 more
StreamYard
From $35/month. Free tier available.
- FreeFree
- Essential studio resources
- 6 on-screen participants
- 1 seat
- Individual use only
- StreamYard branding on broadcasts
- Core$35/month
- Full HD 1080p output
- Live recording to platform
- Unlimited local recordings
- Custom RTMP destinations
- Guest destinations
- +9 more
- Advanced$68/month
- All Core features
- 15 backstage participants
- 4-hour pre-recorded broadcast capability
- On-air webinars for up to 100 viewers
- Custom source inputs
- +1 more
Platform & deployment
Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.
Integrations
What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.
- YouTube
Lightstream
- Rainmaker
- StreamElements
- Twitch
- Mixer
- Xbox
- PlayStation
- Custom RTMP
StreamYard
Lightstream or StreamYard: which one depends on you
A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.
Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works
Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.