Comparison

Owncast vs SRS

On the evidence we track, SRS leads this comparison with a composite score of 41/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Machine formatsMarkdownJSONGraphQLMarkdown is open. JSON and GraphQL need a free key.
Owncast35
★SRS41
Score
vioscaleAI score
Owncast35 / 100high · 77%
SRS41 / 100high · 78%
Pricing
Free tier
Owncast✓
SRS✓
Model
Price level
Owncastlow
SRSfree
Transparent
Owncast–
SRS✓
Integrations
Count
Owncast3
SRS3
Adoption
Dependent repos
Owncast1
SRS0
Github stars
Owncast11,587
Activity
Commits last 30d
Owncast48
SRS19
Release
Cadence days
Owncast105
SRS29
History
License
Spdx
OwncastMIT
SRSMIT
Language
Primary
OwncastGo
SRSC++
Content
Faq
Owncast5 items

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for live streaming. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

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

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

Owncast

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.

Independently observed

SRS

Leader

An open-source media server that handles real-time video streaming using various protocols, enabling live broadcasts and format conversions between RTMP, WebRTC, HLS, and other standards. It can be deployed on cloud infrastructure or self-hosted.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

Owncast

free_open_sourceFree tier

Free and open source

as of verify ↗

SRS

Leader
Open sourceFree tier

Open source under MIT license

as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
Owncast✓
SRS✗
macOS
Owncast✗
SRS✓
Linux
Owncast✗
SRS✓
CLI
Owncast✗
SRS✓
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
Owncast✓
SRS✓
Self-hosted
Owncast✓
SRS✓

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

Owncast

3 total
  • Mastodon
  • ActivityPub
  • Webhooks
Independently observed

SRS

Leader
3 total
  • OBS
  • WordPress
  • FFmpeg
Independently observed
Still deciding?

Owncast or SRS: 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.