As streamers aim to grow their audience, simulcasting—broadcasting to multiple platforms at once—has become essential. While OBS plugins can help, Restream brings more advantages. Here's why Restream is a better multistreaming option for most creators.
Benefits of using Restream
1. Less stress on your PC and network
One major drawback of multistreaming plugins, such as Aitum, is their strain on your hardware and internet connection. Every platform you add makes your GPU, CPU, and internet bandwidth work harder. This can lead to dropped frames, lag, or even crashes, especially if you are not using high-end and new equipment.
Restream eliminates this problem. Instead of your PC doing the work of distributing videos to multiple platforms, Restream handles all this for you. You only need to send your stream to Restream once, and it will be distributed to all the platforms you choose. Explore Restream’s multistreaming software.
This means:
- No extra load on your setup: Your PC does not have to work overtime to encode multiple outputs, allowing you to run other software, such as applications or games, smoothly.
- No need for high-speed internet: You can stream to multiple platforms without more bandwidth for each additional channel, even with limited internet speeds.
2. Ease of use and setup
Setting up multistreaming can be complex, especially when relying on plugins. These typically require manual configuration, tweaking settings, integrating multiple APIs, and monitoring the output for each platform. This can be time-consuming, and errors are not uncommon.
Restream, on the other hand, is designed for ease of use. With its user-friendly dashboard, native OBS integration and automated setup, Restream helps you focus on creating engaging content rather than troubleshooting technical issues.
Among Restream’s many powerful features are:
- Built-in integrations with over 30 platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and more.
- A multi-chat that collects messages from all channels in one place right in your encoder.
- The ability to schedule streams ahead of time and notify your audience.
- Advanced analytics that helps you monitor your stream and improve.
- Compatibility and integration with popular encoding software, like OBS Studio.
3. Support and resources
With most plugins, you’re often on your own when problems arise. Support might be limited to community forums or incomplete documentation, leaving you stuck troubleshooting issues during critical moments.
One of Restream’s greatest strengths is its 24/7 live chat with real human support, backed by a comprehensive Help Center and an informative blog. Whether you’re facing technical issues or need advice on optimizing your streams, Restream’s team is ready to help. This ensures you’re never left without a solution, no matter when or where you’re streaming.
Aitum Multistream vs. Restream
Aitum Multistream is one of the most popular free multistreaming plugins for OBS Studio, so it's worth looking at how it compares with Restream in detail.
What Aitum Multistream does
Aitum Multistream is a free plugin from Aitum, available from the OBS forum and GitHub. It lets you stream to several platforms, such as Twitch, YouTube and TikTok, from a single instance of OBS. Each destination gets its own output, which you can configure separately, for example to stream at a different resolution. If you also use the Aitum Vertical plugin, you can manage your horizontal and vertical streams from one place. According to its OBS forum page, it requires OBS Studio 30 or later and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
The key difference: where your streams are sent from
With Aitum Multistream, every output leaves your computer as its own stream. Three platforms mean three uploads, and outputs with different settings need their own encoders. With Restream, OBS sends a single stream to the cloud and Restream delivers it to every platform, so the load on your computer and connection stays the same as you add platforms.
| Aitum Multistream (OBS plugin) | Restream | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Adds extra outputs to OBS, so your computer sends a separate stream to each platform | OBS sends one stream to Restream, and Restream delivers it to each platform from the cloud |
| Upload bandwidth | Grows with every platform you add | One stream, whatever the number of platforms |
| CPU/GPU load | Outputs with different settings need extra encoders | One encode in OBS |
| Settings per platform | Yes, each output has its own settings | Destinations, titles and channels managed in Restream |
| Vertical streams | Works with the Aitum Vertical plugin | Horizontal and vertical (dual format) streaming, depending on your plan |
| Combined chat and analytics | Not included | Restream Chat and cross-platform analytics |
| Support | OBS forum and GitHub | Restream support team and Help Center |
| Cost | Free to download | Free plan; paid plans for more channels and features |
Swipe sideways to see the whole table.
When Aitum Multistream is enough
Aitum Multistream can be a good choice if you stream to two or three platforms, have a powerful computer and plenty of upload bandwidth, and want detailed control over each output in OBS. Restream is the better fit if your hardware or connection is already near its limit, if you want to add more platforms without changing your setup, or if you need combined chat, analytics and a support team to turn to.
Aitum is a third-party product and isn't affiliated with Restream. Plugin details above are based on Aitum's OBS forum and GitHub pages, checked on October 28, 2026. To set up OBS with Restream, see our OBS integration page and the guide on how to multistream with OBS.
Multistreaming: from free to pro
Helping creators get seen and heard is at the heart of Restream’s mission. That’s why we offer free multistreaming to 2 channels. However, broadcasting infrastructure costs are high, so we provide tiered pricing as you grow and need more channels.
- Free Plan: multistream to 2 channels at no cost, with Restream branding.
- Standard Plan: stream to 3 channels at once, without Restream branding, and unlock cloud recording.
- Professional Plan: maximize your visibility across 5 channels.
- Business Plan: stream to 8 channels at once, built for businesses and larger operations.
Head over to the Restream pricing page to review the features included with every plan.
Get more views with multistreaming
Reach more people, and meet viewers where they like to watch. Live stream to YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, and more at once.
FAQs
Can I use Restream to multistream with OBS?
Absolutely. Restream is fully integrated with encoders like OBS, making it a perfect replacement for multistreaming plugins that may be compatible with your encoder but add extra load to your setup. Restream’s infrastructure will handle multistreaming for you while also ensuring you do not have to part ways with your favorite software.
Alternatively, if you are looking to simplify your video production we offer a browser-based Restream Studio. Within just a few clicks, you can organize your camera feeds, add graphics, and additional media sources and easily invite remote guests.
Can I use Restream with other streaming software (not OBS)?
Yes. Restream integrates with various encoders, such as Streamlabs, Zoom, Microsoft Team, vMix, XSplit, Ecamm Live, Wirecast, LiveU, TriCaster, GoPro, and more. Since you can simply fetch your Stream Key and URL, Restream will work with any encoder using RTMP and soon SRT.
Is Restream free?
Restream’s free plan allows you to multistream to up to 2 channels at once. By upgrading to a paid subscription, you can get additional cool features and support for multistreaming to even more destinations. Keep in mind that while some free plugins will let you stream to more than 2 channels, every platform you add to your setup requires additional resources from your device and internet connection. With Restream, you can focus on your stream while we handle the rest for you.
Is Aitum Multistream free?
Yes. Aitum Multistream is free to download from the OBS forum and GitHub. Keep in mind that each extra output uses your own upload bandwidth and, depending on your settings, more CPU or GPU power.
Can I use Aitum Multistream with Restream?
You can, because Restream accepts a standard RTMP stream from any OBS output. In most cases you don't need to: Restream.io is built into OBS's stream settings, and one stream to Restream reaches all your connected platforms without a plugin.
Wrap-up
Multistreaming plugins may get the job done, but they limit your stream quality and audience engagement. While free, they often lead to extra costs, forcing you to upgrade your setup or internet. Restream offers a complete solution with features like cross-platform chat, analytics, and native integrations with the tools you love.
If you're serious about building your community and delivering high-quality streams, Restream is the clear choice. Whether on the free plan or upgrading, its value far outweighs the cost—helping you easily reach a wider audience.
