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It's a split decision.
Choose StreamYard for browser-based multistreaming and remote-guest recording: its Essential plan starts at $14.99/month billed annually and includes two destinations. Choose Streamlabs for OBS-based desktop tools, widgets and creator monetization; Ultra starts at $15.75/month billed annually, though its annual total is inconsistently reported. Both have free plans. StreamYard publishes clearer destination limits, while Streamlabs bundles more creator tools. There is no universal winner: pick by workflow, not the small starting-price gap.
01Side by side
| Streamlabs | StreamYard | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Ultra: $15.75/month annual; annual total reported inconsistently | Essential: $14.99/month billed annually |
| Free plan | Starter is free; Dual Output covers two destinations | Free plan; logo, two recording hours monthly |
| Best for | Creators wanting desktop tools, overlays and monetization | Creators wanting browser streaming and guest recording |
| Core strength | OBS-based desktop tools, widgets and monetization | Browser multistreaming, local recording and branding |
| Learning curve and setup | Desktop app plus browser tools; learning time not published | Browser studio; guests join without downloads |
| Destinations and storage | Ultra: 10GB cloud storage; multistream destination cap not published | Essential: two destinations; Core: 50 hours permanent storage |
| Team and seat costs | Guest caps listed; seat pricing not published | Free includes one seat; paid seat caps not published |
| Support | Ultra+ includes dedicated support | Support terms not published |
Streamlabs Choose Streamlabs if
- Choose Streamlabs if you want OBS-based desktop broadcasting tools.
- Choose Streamlabs if overlays, widgets and creator monetization matter.
- Choose Streamlabs if Ultra+ dedicated support is worth considering.
StreamYard Choose StreamYard if
- Choose StreamYard if browser-based streaming fits your workflow.
- Choose StreamYard if you need published multistream destination limits.
- Choose StreamYard if remote guests should join without downloads.
02Pricing compared
Both offer free plans. StreamYard Essential costs $18.99 monthly or $14.99/month billed annually; it includes unlimited streaming, two destinations and Full HD. Its Free plan has the StreamYard logo, one seat, six on-screen participants and two hours of local recordings a month. Streamlabs Starter is free and lists Dual Output to one vertical and one horizontal destination, five automations, 100 Sidekick interactions and 1GB of cloud storage. Ultra costs $27 monthly or $15.75/month billed annually, but Streamlabs’ annual total is inconsistently reported as $179 or $189, so verify the checkout price. Ultra adds 10 automations, 1,000 monthly Sidekick interactions and 10GB of storage. StreamYard’s annual rate is clearer; its monthly billing is higher. The starting-price gap is small, but the included workflow differs.
03Features and depth
StreamYard is built around browser-based live streaming and recording. It supports multistreaming to platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and Twitch, plus remote guests who can join by browser or phone without downloading an app. Local recording saves separate audio and video files per device. Plan limits matter: Essential allows two destinations, Core three and Advanced eight. Streamlabs combines OBS-based desktop broadcasting with overlays, alerts, chat tools, donation goals, polls and Cloudbot moderation. Its free Starter plan includes Dual Output to one vertical and one horizontal destination; multistreaming is listed as an Ultra feature. Streamlabs also bundles tipping, merch and charity-streaming tools, while Cross Clip turns stream highlights into vertical clips. Talk Studio offers browser-based streaming as a separate add-on, listed at $9/month or $90/year. Choose StreamYard for a studio and guest workflow; choose Streamlabs if you want desktop tools and creator features together.
04Ease of use and learning curve
StreamYard has the simpler starting path if you want to go live in a browser: guests join from a browser or phone, and the product includes branding controls and on-screen comments. Its Free plan is limited to six on-screen participants and two hours of local recording per month. Streamlabs gives you a broader set of tools, but its desktop product is OBS-based; Talk Studio is the browser-based option. The tradeoff is more choice versus a more focused studio. If you mainly need remote guests and multistreaming, StreamYard’s workflow is more direct. If overlays, widgets and desktop broadcasting are central, Streamlabs covers more of that setup.
Questions people ask
Which is cheaper, Streamlabs or StreamYard?
At annual billing, StreamYard Essential is listed at $14.99/month and Streamlabs Ultra at $15.75/month. Monthly prices are $18.99 and $27, respectively. Streamlabs’ annual total is inconsistently reported as $179 or $189, so confirm the amount at checkout before comparing the yearly cost.
Can I multistream on a free plan?
Streamlabs Starter lists Dual Output to one vertical and one horizontal destination. StreamYard’s Free plan details do not list multistreaming; its Essential plan includes two destinations. Check the current plan terms if a specific platform or destination count is essential to your setup.
Which is better for recording with remote guests?
StreamYard is explicitly designed for browser-based recording with remote guests, who can join from a browser or phone without downloading an app. Streamlabs offers Collab Cam, with one guest or camera on Starter and up to 11 on Ultra. The better fit depends on your preferred workflow.
Does Streamlabs include video clipping and editing?
Streamlabs includes Cross Clip, which converts stream highlights into vertical clips for TikTok, Shorts and Reels. Cross Clip Pro is listed separately at $4.99/month or $49.99/year. StreamYard’s listed feature set focuses on streaming and recording rather than a clip-conversion tool.