Multi-Platform Streaming Guide: Broadcast Simultaneously to Twitch, YouTube, and More

Multi-platform streaming allows content creators to broadcast their stream to multiple platforms simultaneously, expanding audience reach without additional effort. Instead of choosing between Twitch’s gaming community, YouTube’s algorithm, or Facebook’s social integration, you broadcast to all platforms at once from a single OBS instance.

This guide covers proven methods to achieve stable multi-streaming, from free plugins to paid services, with specific configuration steps for each approach.

Why Considering Multi-Platform Streaming?

Simul-casting the same show to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Gaming and TikTok roughly triples live reach—100 Twitch viewers typically become 310-390 concurrent across all four platforms—and lets each site’s discovery engine work for you at the same time. YouTube’s live boost, Facebook’s six-fold live reach, TikTok’s FYP exposure and Twitch’s trending page operate independently, so one stream can surface in four recommendation loops while viewers pick the app they already use.

Because every platform keeps its own revenue taps open, earnings stack: subs + Bits on Twitch, Super Chat and ads on YouTube, Stars and bonuses on Facebook, and Gifts on TikTok turn a 4-hour session from roughly $45-60 (Twitch-only) to about $120-180. The larger cross-platform audience also lifts sponsor proposals—“~400 live reach” commands 2.5-3× higher CPM than a single-site deal—while combined analytics reveal keyword and demographic gaps a lone dashboard can’t show.

Finally, streaming on several sites protects income and community: the chance all four go down at once is under 0.01 %, and if one bans or buffers, 80 % of viewers migrate to another link. The same recording keeps earning through evergreen YouTube VOD, share-driven Facebook clips and short-form TikToks, extending a single broadcast’s life by months. Check exclusivity clauses (e.g., Twitch Partner §2.2) before going live to stay compliant.

Conclusion: One stream sent to four platforms delivers far more viewers, money and safety for exactly the same airtime.

System Requirements

Bandwidth Calculation

Your upload speed must support combined bitrates plus overhead:

• Single platform: 6,000 Kbps bitrate = 7 Mbps upload needed
• Three platforms: 6,000 × 3 = 18,000 Kbps = 22 Mbps upload needed
• Formula: (Platform bitrate × Number of platforms) × 1.25 = Required upload

Hardware Requirements

Minimum (720p60 to 3 platforms):

• CPU: Intel i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• GPU: GTX 1650 / RX 570 (with hardware encoding)
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Upload: 15 Mbps

Recommended (1080p60 to 3+ platforms):

• CPU: Intel i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
• GPU: RTX 3060 / RX 6600 (NVENC/AMF encoding)
• RAM: 32GB DDR4
• Upload: 30+ Mbps

Reasons: Why you should consider Multi

Method 1: Aitum Multistream Plugin (Recommended)

Installation

1. Download Aitum Multistream from https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/aitum-multistream.1991/
2. Close OBS completely
3. Run the installer (Windows) or drag to Applications (macOS)
4. Launch OBS and verify plugin appears in Tools menu

Configuration

1. Open Tools → Aitum Multistream
2. Click Add Output for each platform:

Twitch Output:

• Name: Twitch Main
• Server: rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app
• Stream Key: [Your Twitch stream key from dashboard.twitch.tv]
• Video Bitrate: 6000 Kbps
• Audio Bitrate: 160 Kbps
• Keyframe Interval: 2

YouTube Output:

• Name: YouTube Live
• Server: rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2
• Stream Key: [Your YouTube stream key from studio.youtube.com]
• Video Bitrate: 8000 Kbps (YouTube allows higher)
• Audio Bitrate: 256 Kbps
• Keyframe Interval: 2

Facebook Gaming:

• Name: Facebook
• Server: rtmp://live-api-s.facebook.com:80/rtmp
• Stream Key: [Persistent key from creator.facebook.com]
• Video Bitrate: 4000 Kbps (Facebook maximum)
• Audio Bitrate: 128 Kbps
• Keyframe Interval: 2

Advanced Settings

Enable GPU encoding for each output:

• NVIDIA: NVENC H.264
• AMD: AMD HW H.264
• Intel: QuickSync H.264

Set different qualities per platform:

Twitch: 1080p60 @ 6000 Kbps (competitive games)
YouTube: 1080p60 @ 8000 Kbps (maximum quality)
Facebook: 720p30 @ 3000 Kbps (mobile viewers)

Method 2: Multiple RTMP Outputs Plugin

Installation

1. Download from https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/multiple-rtmp-outputs-plugin.964/
2. Extract to OBS plugins folder:
   • Windows: C:\Program Files\obs-studio\obs-plugins\64bit
   • macOS: /Applications/OBS.app/Contents/PlugIns
3. Restart OBS

Setup Process

1. Go to File → Settings → Stream
2. Configure primary stream (usually Twitch)
3. Open Tools → Multiple RTMP Outputs
4. Add additional outputs:

Output 1 - YouTube:
Server: rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2
Key: [YouTube stream key]
Encoder: Same as stream
Video Bitrate: 8000
Audio Bitrate: 256

Output 2 - Facebook:
Server: rtmp://live-api-s.facebook.com:80/rtmp
Key: [Facebook stream key]
Encoder: New instance
Video Bitrate: 4000
Audio Bitrate: 128

Key Differences from Aitum

• Multiple RTMP Outputs lacks per-platform encoding settings
• No built-in stream health monitoring
• Simpler interface but fewer customization options
• All outputs share main encoder settings unless manually configured

Method 3: Restream.io Service

Account Setup

1. Create account at restream.io
2. Connect platforms:
   • Twitch: OAuth authorization required
   • YouTube: Channel must be verified (24 hours)
   • Facebook: Page admin access needed

OBS Configuration

1. Settings → Stream:
   • Service: Custom
   • Server: rtmp://live.restream.io/live
   • Stream Key: [Restream dashboard key]
2. Output Settings:
   • Video Bitrate: 6000-8000 Kbps (Restream transcodes)
   • Audio Bitrate: 256 Kbps
   • Encoder: Hardware (NVENC/AMF/QuickSync)

Platform-Specific Settings in Restream

Configure each destination’s quality:

Source: 1080p60 @ 8000 Kbps
├── Twitch: Passthrough (no transcode)
├── YouTube: Passthrough
├── Facebook: Transcode to 720p30 @ 3000 Kbps
└── LinkedIn: Transcode to 720p30 @ 2500 Kbps

Limitations

• Free plan: 2 platforms, 720p maximum
• Standard ($16/mo): Unlimited platforms, 1080p
• Professional ($41/mo): 1080p60, analytics, storage

Platform-Specific Requirements

Twitch

• Bitrate: 6,000 Kbps maximum (non-partners)
• Resolution: 1920×1080 maximum
• FPS: 60 maximum
• Keyframe: Exactly 2 seconds
• Audio: 160 Kbps AAC (44.1 kHz)
• Ingest Server: Use closest server via stream.twitch.tv/ingests

YouTube

• Bitrate: 4,500-9,000 Kbps (1080p60)
• Resolution: Up to 4K supported
• FPS: 60 maximum
• Keyframe: 2-4 seconds
• Audio: 128-256 Kbps AAC (48 kHz)
• Requirement: Channel verified, no active strikes

Facebook Gaming

• Bitrate: 4,000 Kbps maximum
• Resolution: 1280×720 recommended
• FPS: 30 recommended, 60 maximum
• Keyframe: 2 seconds
• Audio: 128 Kbps AAC (48 kHz)
• Stream Key: Use persistent key (90-day expiration)

TikTok Live

• Bitrate: 2,000-4,000 Kbps
• Resolution: 1080×1920 (vertical) or 1920×1080
• FPS: 30 maximum
• Requirements: 1,000+ followers
• Server: rtmp://push.live.tiktok.com/live

OBS Optimization for Multi-Streaming

Encoder Settings

x264 (CPU):

Rate Control: CBR
Preset: veryfast (multi-stream) or faster (4+ streams)
Profile: high
Tune: (none)
x264 Options: bframes=2

NVENC (NVIDIA):

Rate Control: CBR
Preset: Quality
Profile: high
Look-ahead: Off
Psycho Visual Tuning: On
Max B-frames: 2

Scene Optimization

1. Limit sources: Maximum 8 active sources per scene
2. Browser sources: Disable when not visible, limit FPS to 30
3. Game capture: Use over display capture (25% less CPU)
4. Webcam: 720p30 unless full-screen facecam
5. Overlays: Pre-render animated alerts at stream resolution

Audio Configuration

Desktop Audio: -15 dB (peaks at -12 dB)
Microphone: -12 dB (peaks at -9 dB)
Filters Order:
1. Noise Suppression (RNNoise)
2. Gain (+6 to +12 dB)
3. Compressor (3:1 ratio, -18 dB threshold)
4. Limiter (-6 dB threshold)

Performance Monitoring

OBS Stats to Watch

• CPU Usage: Keep below 75%
• Rendering Lag: <0.1% frames
• Encoding Lag: <0.1% frames
• Dropped Frames: <0.1% (network)
• Average Frame Time: <16.7ms (60 FPS)

Multi-Stream Specific Metrics

Monitor each output separately:

1. Open View → Stats
2. Enable “Show stats for all outputs”
3. Watch for platform-specific drops:
   • Twitch drops = routing issues
   • YouTube drops = server selection
   • All platforms = local bandwidth

Resource Usage by Method

• Aitum Multistream: +5-10% CPU per additional output
• Multiple RTMP: +3-5% CPU per output
• Restream.io: No additional local resources

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

“Encoder Overloaded” with Multiple Outputs:

1. Switch to hardware encoding (NVENC/AMF/QuickSync)
2. Lower preset (faster/veryfast)
3. Reduce output resolution per platform
4. Disable preview when live

Individual Platform Dropping Frames:

Diagnosis:
- Single platform drops = Server issue
- All platforms drop = Bandwidth issue
- Intermittent drops = CPU spikes

Solution:
1. Change server (Twitch/YouTube have multiple)
2. Reduce per-platform bitrate by 500 Kbps
3. Enable "Dynamically change bitrate" (Aitum only)

Audio Sync Issues:

• Set all outputs to same audio bitrate
• Use 48 kHz sample rate globally
• Add 50ms offset to microphone if needed

Platform Authentication Errors:

• YouTube: Re-authenticate every 6 months
• Twitch: New key needed after password change
• Facebook: Refresh persistent key before 90 days
• Restream: Reconnect platforms after API changes

Emergency Fallbacks

1. Primary platform priority: Configure main platform in OBS Stream settings
2. Backup scenes: Create low-bitrate scenes (720p30)
3. Quick disable: Hotkey to stop individual outputs
4. Mobile hotspot: Test backup connection monthly

Advanced Configurations

Stream Deck Integration

Multi-Action 1 - Start All:
1. Start Streaming (OBS)
2. Delay 2 seconds
3. Start Aitum Outputs
4. Post to Discord

Multi-Action 2 - Platform Toggle:
1. Toggle YouTube Output
2. Change LED color
3. Log state to file

Chat Aggregation

• Restream Chat: Built into paid plans
• Chatbot Integration: Streamlabs, StreamElements support multi-platform
• Custom Solution: Use IRC for Twitch + YouTube API + Facebook Graph API

Recording While Multi-Streaming

Settings → Output → Recording:
Type: Standard
Path: D:\Recordings (separate drive)
Format: MKV (convert to MP4 later)
Encoder: Hardware (different instance)
Bitrate: 15,000 Kbps (archive quality)

Cost Analysis

Free Options

• Aitum Multistream: Unlimited platforms, full control
• Multiple RTMP Outputs: Unlimited platforms, basic features
• Manual OBS Instances: Resource-intensive but free

Paid Services

• Restream.io Standard: $16/month, cloud transcoding
• Streamlabs Ultra: $19/month, includes multistream
• Castr.io: $39/month, advanced analytics

Bandwidth Costs

• Residential: Usually included in plan
• Business: May charge for upload over 1TB/month
• Mobile: ~50GB per 4-hour stream at 6,000 Kbps

Legal Considerations

• Affiliate Agreements: Twitch Affiliates cannot multi-stream (24-hour exclusivity)
• Partner Contracts: Platform-specific restrictions apply
• Music Rights: DMCA applies to all platforms simultaneously
• Privacy Laws: GDPR/CCPA compliance for chat logs across platforms

Recommended Setup by Streamer Type

Casual Streamer (2-3 platforms)

• Use Aitum Multistream
• Stream at 720p60 @ 3,500 Kbps
• Hardware encode everything
• 20 Mbps upload minimum

Professional Streamer (3-5 platforms)

• Restream.io Professional or Aitum
• Primary: 1080p60 @ 6,000-8,000 Kbps
• Secondary: Transcoded 720p variants
• 50 Mbps upload, backup connection

Event Streaming (5+ platforms)

• Dedicated streaming PC with Aitum
• Cloud CDN backup (AWS MediaLive)
• Platform-specific encoding settings
• 100+ Mbps symmetric connection

Conclusion

Multi-platform streaming requires balancing technical capabilities with platform requirements—choose Aitum Multistream for maximum control, Restream.io for convenience, or Multiple RTMP Outputs for simplicity.