# Owncast vs StreamYard

**Leader by Vioscale score:** StreamYard

| Attribute | Owncast | StreamYard |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 21.7 (7% (low)) | 68.1 (37% (low)) |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | 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. | 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. |
| features.capabilities | `{"pricing_model":"free_open_source","gpl_or_permissive_oss_license":true}` | `{"pricing_model":"flat_monthly_subscription","architecture_model":"browser_cloud_studio","gpl_or_permissive_oss_license":false,"simulcast_multi_destination_rtmp_output_hub":true,"chroma_key_green_screen_and_virtual_backgrounds":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}` |
| integrations.count | 2 | 3 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Mastodon","native":true,"category":"social","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"ActivityPub","native":true,"category":"social","direction":"bidirectional"}]` | `[{"name":"Facebook","native":true,"direction":"outbound"},{"name":"YouTube","native":true,"direction":"outbound"},{"name":"LinkedIn","native":true,"direction":"outbound"}]` |
| market.availability | - | `{"primaryMarkets":["US","IN"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"web":true}` | `{"web":true}` |
| pricing | `{"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"}` | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Free","summary":"Free with core features","features":["Essential studio resources","6 on-screen participants","1 seat","Individual use only","StreamYard branding on broadcasts"],"minSeats":1,"contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"seats":"1","screen_participants":"6"}},{"free":false,"name":"Core","summary":"$35/month","features":["Full HD 1080p output","Live recording to platform","Unlimited local recordings","Custom RTMP destinations","Guest destinations","50 hours permanent cloud storage","Intro and outro video support","AI-generated clips","Custom referral message","16+ custom layout templates","Cloud recording","Chat overlay","Watermark-free thumbnails","AI backgrounds"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":35,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"cloud_storage":"50 hours permanent"}},{"free":false,"name":"Advanced","summary":"$68/month","features":["All Core features","15 backstage participants","4-hour pre-recorded broadcast capability","On-air webinars for up to 100 viewers","Custom source inputs","Downloadable transcriptions"],"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":68,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"webinar_viewers":"100","backstage_participants":"15","prerecorded_broadcast_hours":"4"}}],"summary":"From $35/month. Free tier available.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://streamyard.com/pt-pt/pricing","retrievedAt":"2026-09-01T14:41:21.799Z","startingPrice":{"amount":35,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | open_source | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | free | mid |
| pricing.starting_price | - | `{"amount":35,"currency":"USD"}` |
| pricing.transparent | - | yes |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | - |
| security.trust_center | https://owncast.online/security | - |

## Capabilities (Live Streaming)

| Capability | Owncast | StreamYard |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **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 | Flat monthly subscription |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T17:34:33.675Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*