Playout.video vs StreamYard
StreamYard is a great place to host a show. Playout hosts the show and runs the channel around it. Your library loops 24/7 between live episodes, on the same broadcast, from the same browser.
Free plan included. No credit card required.
Your channel doesn't end when the show does
With StreamYard, the stream stops when you leave the studio. With Playout, your channel keeps broadcasting your library 24/7 (episodes, replays, highlights), and you jump in live whenever you want, without restarting the stream.
About half the price for the studio essentials
No watermark, 1080p, multistreaming and unlimited-length sessions start at $19/mo billed annually. StreamYard's comparable Core plan is $35.99/mo billed annually with 3 destinations, Playout Creator includes 5.
Program a week of content in one sitting
The Channel plan's calendar runs recurring shows with automatic start/stop and fallback content. Schedule Sunday's premiere, Tuesday's replay, and a nightly loop, nobody has to press Go Live.
Guests join the same way, from any browser
Invite guests with a link; they join from desktop or phone with no install. 2 guests on Free, 8 on Creator, up to 20 on Business, with scenes, screen share, overlays, and recording to your library.
playout.video vs StreamYard, feature by feature
| Feature | playout.video | StreamYard |
|---|---|---|
| Browser studio with guests (no install) | Yes, every plan (2 guests free, up to 20) | Yes, core product (6 on-screen free) |
| Always-on 24/7 cloud channel | Yes, loop your library between live shows | No, streams run while you're in the studio |
| Calendar-programmed recurring broadcasts | Yes, Channel plan, with auto start/stop + fallback | Scheduled broadcasts; no recurring linear programming |
| Watermark-free + 1080p starting price (annual) | $19/mo (Creator) | $35.99/mo (Core) |
| Multistream destinations | 5 Creator · 8 Channel · 10 Business | 3 Core · 8 Advanced · 10 Business |
| Switch between playlist and live mid-stream | Yes, hybrid mode, zero downtime | No equivalent |
| Website embed player | Business, or +$29/mo Channel add-on | Embed via On-Air pages; webinars on Advanced+ |
| 4K | 4K60 live output add-on (Business, GPU cloud encode) | 4K local recordings (Advanced), live output up to 1080p |
| Free plan | Free forever, 1 branded stream, studio, 10GB library | Free, branded, limited streaming |
StreamYard details verified from public pricing and feature pages, July 2026. Check streamyard's site for current plans.
The quickest way to compare is to try it. The free plan takes about two minutes to set up.
Where StreamYard shines
StreamYardis a strong product. Here's what it does well:
- A polished, well-known browser studio
- On-Air webinars and Greenroom guest management on higher plans
- 4K local recordings on the Advanced plan
Switching from StreamYard is an afternoon, not a project
- 1
Connect your destinations
Sign in with YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Kick and 20+ platforms, or paste any RTMP stream key. The free plan streams to two destinations at once.
- 2
Bring your content
Upload your videos or import them from the sites you already publish on, then build playlists and overlays right in the browser.
- 3
Go live and stay live
Start the 24/7 loop, jump into the live studio whenever you want, and upgrade only once your channel outgrows the free plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Playout.video a StreamYard alternative?
Yes for live shows, browser studio, guest invites, scenes, screen share, overlays, recordings, multistreaming, and it adds what StreamYard doesn't offer: an always-on 24/7 cloud channel that keeps broadcasting your library between live sessions, plus calendar-programmed recurring shows.
How does pricing compare to StreamYard?
Playout Creator ($19/mo billed annually, $29 monthly) removes the watermark, streams 1080p, and multistreams to 5 destinations. StreamYard Core ($35.99/mo billed annually, $44.99 monthly) covers similar studio ground with 3 destinations. Playout's calendar-programmed Channel plan is $39/mo billed annually.
Can my guests still join from a browser link?
Yes. Guests click an invite link and join from any modern browser, desktop, tablet, or phone. No app, no account. You control scenes and layouts (grid, speaker, PIP, side-by-side) live.
What happens to my channel when I'm not live?
That's the core difference: Playout keeps your channel on air with looped or scheduled content from your library, replays, highlights, music, pre-records, so your audience always finds you live. StreamYard streams only while you're in the studio.
Ready to try the StreamYard alternative with a real 24/7 channel?
Start on the free plan: one 1080p stream to two destinations, the live studio, and 10GB of library storage. Launch pricing on paid plans while it lasts.