At Revent, we’re in the trenches every week helping clients deliver seamless virtual events, from high-stakes executive town halls to your humble webinar. And one of the questions we get all the time is:
“Which livestreaming platform should I use — Streamyard, Restream, or vMix?”
Great question. Each shine in their own way but yes, they also have their unique quirks. So let’s break it down and help you pick the right one depending on your goals, tech comfort, and budget.
Streamyard — Browser-Based & Beginner-Friendly
Best For: Quick professional setups, social media live streaming, marketing webinars, podcasts and panel-style interviews.
Love:
No downloads needed. It runs entirely in a browser (Chrome and Firefox are recommended)
Drag-and-drop layouts for guests, branding, banners, and overlays.
Multi-destination streaming (to Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.).
Built-in ISO recordings for easy reuse and repurposing.
Quirks:
Limited customization compared to software-based tools.
Not ideal for complex run-of-shows or quick switching between multiple video inputs.
Audio and video sync can drift if your network connection isn’t solid.
Pricing:
Free plan available (with branding and limits).
Paid plans start at $25/month, with full branding control and multi-streaming unlocked around $49/month.
Restream — Multistreaming Muscle with a Twist
Best For: Creators and brands who want to go live everywhere at once and maybe pre-recorded content too.
Love:
Massive multi-streaming support (30+ platforms at once? No problem).
Sim Live Friendly: Upload & stream pre-recorded video as “live”.
Similar to Streamyard, this one also offers a browser-based studio.
Analytics dashboard that actually tells you something useful.
Quirks:
The in-browser studio isn’t as sleek or intuitive as Streamyard’s (at least for now..).
Pre-recorded streams can look a little… robotic if not edited thoughtfully.
Less ideal if you want total technical control (that’s where vMix comes in).
Pricing:
Free plan available (with platform branding).
Paid plans start at $19/month, with professional features kicking in around $49–$99/month.
vMix — The Powerhouse for Pros
Best For: High-end productions, virtual events with multiple inputs, and broadcast-level switching.
Love:
Super powerful — think of it like a virtual control room in a box.
Customizable lower-thirds, video inputs, NDI support, audio mixing, transitions, virtual sets — all the goodies.
Instant replay, ISO recording, and scripting automation for advanced workflows.
Supports SDI, HDMI, NDI, RTMP — the full alphabet soup.
Quirks:
Windows only — sorry Mac users.
Steeper learning curve; and not something you can learn “on the fly”
Requires a powerful PC (seriously — don’t try this on your Chromebook).
Pricing:
One-time purchase (not subscription).
Starts at $60 for Basic HD, with Pro versions going up to $1200
Revent’s Take: What Should You Use?
You're a marketer or social media manager? Streamyard’s your go-to.
You want to simulcast everywhere or run pre-recorded content as live? Restream wins.
You need full control, graphics, multiple cameras, and broadcast-level features? It’s vMix time.
Choosing the right tool isn’t about features — it’s about the RIGHT fit. At Revent, we help clients map livestreaming tools to their actual production needs, team skills, and audience goals. If you’re still unsure, we’d love to help you test-drive and set it up.
Ready to go live like a pro? Let’s talk