# Melon vs Owncast

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Melon

| Attribute | Melon | Owncast |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 42.3 (37% (low)) | 21.7 (7% (low)) |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true}` | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | A cloud-based streaming and recording platform accessible through a web browser, enabling simultaneous broadcast to multiple social platforms, with integrated guest management and customizable visual branding. | 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 | `{"architecture_model":"browser_cloud_studio","gpl_or_permissive_oss_license":false,"simulcast_multi_destination_rtmp_output_hub":true,"custom_lower_thirds_graphics_and_brand_overlays":true,"iso_track_recording_for_isolated_guest_audio_video":true,"remote_guest_browser_invites_for_interviews_webrtc":true}` | `{"pricing_model":"free_open_source","gpl_or_permissive_oss_license":true}` |
| integrations.count | 7 | 2 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Twitch","direction":"outbound"},{"name":"YouTube","direction":"outbound"},{"name":"TikTok","direction":"outbound"},{"name":"Facebook","direction":"outbound"},{"name":"X","direction":"outbound"},{"name":"LinkedIn","direction":"outbound"},{"name":"Kick","direction":"outbound"}]` | `[{"name":"Mastodon","native":true,"category":"social","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"ActivityPub","native":true,"category":"social","direction":"bidirectional"}]` |
| platform.support | `{"web":true}` | `{"cli":true,"web":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"free","summary":"7-day free trial","sourceUrl":"https://melonapp.com","retrievedAt":"2026-09-01T16:07:00.489Z","freeTrialDays":7}` | `{"type":"open_source","summary":"Free and open source with no subscriptions or viewer limits.","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://owncast.online","retrievedAt":"2026-09-01T14:45:48.812Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | - | yes |
| pricing.model | free | open_source |
| pricing.price_level | free | free |
| pricing.transparent | no | - |
| security.disclosure_policy | - | yes |
| security.trust_center | - | https://owncast.online/security |

## Capabilities (Live Streaming)

| Capability | Melon | Owncast |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Architecture model | 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 | - | Free open source |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T17:33:27.841Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*