OBS and Restream: keep your setup, add multistreaming

Connect OBS Studio to Restream to send your finished broadcast to multiple destinations. Keep your scenes, cameras, game capture, and audio controls in OBS while Restream handles distribution and supported audience chat. It is a practical setup for creators who already use OBS and want to reach viewers beyond a single channel.

What Restream adds to your OBS stream

  • One outgoing feed: send one stream from OBS to Restream, which distributes it to your selected destinations. Unlike sending a separate upload to every destination through multistreaming plugins, this keeps distribution in the cloud. Your computer still handles OBS production and encoding, and your connection must support the incoming bitrate. You can multistream with OBS without rebuilding your scenes.
  • Chat alongside your production: view supported platform comments in Restream Chat and reply where the destination supports it. The OBS chat dock is for the host; displaying chat on your broadcast is a separate option.
  • Stream monitoring: check the incoming feed and destination status in Restream. Available audience and chat analytics vary by platform; custom RTMP destinations do not provide the same API-based metrics.

How to connect OBS to Restream

Use the built-in Restream service in OBS or connect with a stream key. You do not need to install a separate Restream OBS plugin for the standard connection.

  1. Prepare your channels: sign in to Restream, connect the destinations you want to use, and prepare your scenes and audio in OBS.
  2. Connect your account: in OBS, open Settings → Stream, choose Restream.io, and select Connect Account. This connects OBS to your Default RTMP stream in Restream.
  3. Or use a stream key: create or open an Encoder | RTMP stream in Restream, copy its stream key, and use the stream-key connection in OBS. Use the matching key if you create a different RTMP stream.
  4. Check and start: enable the intended destinations in Restream, check your title and audio, then select Start Streaming in OBS. Monitor the broadcast in Restream. The chat dock appears with account connection; a stream-key setup may need the dock added separately.

Optional tools for your OBS workflow

Direct OBS-to-Restream distribution does not require Restream Studio. Use these additional workflows only when they fit your production; availability and limits depend on the feature and plan.

  • Bring OBS into Studio: RTMP Source is a separate Studio workflow for combining your encoder feed with guests, lower thirds, and graphics. Check its plan requirements before choosing it.
  • Relay supported comments: the chat relay can share messages between supported destinations. Support differs by platform; it is not a universal two-way bridge for every channel.
  • Add guest destinations: guest channels for encoder streams let collaborators add their channels to your broadcast. This distributes your existing feed; it does not bring a guest on camera inside OBS.

Start with the free Restream plan

OBS is free and open source. Restream also has a free plan for streaming to two supported channels at once, with Restream branding. Some destinations, including Facebook Pages and custom RTMP channels, require a paid plan. More simultaneous channels and cloud recordings depend on your subscription.

Restream Studio resolution limits are separate from an OBS encoder stream. Choose OBS output settings that your destinations and internet connection support, and run a short test before your event.

OBS and Restream FAQ

Do I need a Restream OBS plugin?

No. OBS includes Restream as a streaming service. Connect your account or use your Restream stream key; the standard connection does not require an additional plugin.

Can I use OBS with Restream for free?

Yes. Restream’s free plan supports two eligible destinations at once with Restream branding. Some destinations, including Facebook Pages and custom RTMP, require a paid plan.

Does Restream replace OBS Studio?

No. Keep your scenes, sources, audio, and encoding in OBS. Restream receives that broadcast and distributes it to the destinations you enable. Restream Studio is optional for this workflow.

Can I manage live chat inside OBS?

Yes, for supported destinations. Connecting your Restream account in OBS adds the chat dock automatically. With a stream-key connection, you may need to add the dock manually. Reply support varies by destination; an on-stream chat overlay is a separate feature.