# Castr vs Lightstream

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Castr

| Attribute | Castr | Lightstream |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 70.6 (44% (low)) | 25.5 (25% (low)) |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | Consolidates live video streaming, hosting, multistreaming to multiple destinations, recording, and monetization into a single platform with 24/7 human support included. | 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. |
| features.capabilities | `{"pricing_model":"flat_monthly_subscription","architecture_model":"browser_cloud_studio","simulcast_multi_destination_rtmp_output_hub":true,"srt_secure_reliable_transport_protocol_support":true}` | `{"pricing_model":"flat_monthly_subscription","architecture_model":"browser_cloud_studio","custom_lower_thirds_graphics_and_brand_overlays":true}` |
| integrations.count | 5 | 5 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Wirecast","native":true,"category":"broadcasting","direction":"inbound"},{"name":"YouTube","native":true,"category":"video","direction":"outbound"},{"name":"Facebook","native":true,"category":"social","direction":"outbound"},{"name":"LinkedIn","native":true,"category":"social","direction":"outbound"},{"name":"Twitch","native":true,"category":"streaming","direction":"outbound"}]` | `[{"name":"Rainmaker","native":false},{"name":"StreamElements","native":false},{"name":"Twitch","native":true},{"name":"YouTube","native":true},{"name":"Mixer","native":true}]` |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"hqCountry":"US","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"ios":true,"web":true,"android":true}` | `{"web":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Starter","summary":"$19.99/month or $199.99/year (2 months free)","features":["Multiple ingest protocols and SRT","Embedded player and video analytics","Cloud recording and Live-to-VOD"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":19.99,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Standard","summary":"$499.99/year","features":["SRT/RTMP pull links"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":499.99,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Premium","summary":"$199.99/month or $1,999.99/year (2 months free)","features":["Adaptive bitrate and custom transcoding","API access and three team members"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":199.99,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Enterprise","summary":"$3,499.99/year","features":["Low-latency playback and HLS for VOD","Dedicated support on annual billing"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":3499.99,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Events","summary":"$7,499.99/year","features":["Branded web app included","Native mobile and TV apps available as add-ons"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":7499.99,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false}],"addOns":[{"name":"DRM"},{"name":"Native mobile and TV apps"}],"summary":"From $19.99/month ($199.99/year with 2 months free). Free 7-day trial on Starter plan.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://castr.com/pricing/","retrievedAt":"2026-09-01T14:45:16.675Z","freeTrialDays":7,"startingPrice":{"amount":19.99,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` | `{"type":"subscription","sourceUrl":"https://golightstream.com/lightstream-studio-pricing-updates/","retrievedAt":"2026-09-01T14:41:00.343Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | freemium | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | mid | unknown |
| pricing.starting_price | `{"amount":19.99,"currency":"USD"}` | - |
| pricing.transparent | yes | no |
| reliability.sla_pct | 99.9 | - |
| reliability.status_page | yes | - |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |

## Capabilities (Live Streaming)

| Capability | Castr | Lightstream |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Architecture model | Browser cloud studio | Browser cloud studio |
| 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 | Flat monthly subscription |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T17:20:32.189Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*