Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder

There are three ways to stream on YouTube: use a webcam, your mobile device, or an encoder (streaming software or a hardware encoder). Using an encoder lets you:

Share your screen or broadcast your gameplay
Use external audio and video hardware
Manage an advanced production (like a few cameras and microphones)

The steps below will help you get started with your first live stream.

1. Enable live streaming

Enabling a live stream for the first time may take up to 24 hours. Once enabled, your stream can go live instantly. Learn how to start live streaming.

2. Install an encoder

An encoder converts your video into a digital format to stream on YouTube. Some encoders are software apps on your computer, while others are standalone hardware.

Watch this video to learn more about why you should use an encoder and how they work.

YouTube Live verified encoders

Here’s a list of YouTube Live verified encoders. None of these products are made by YouTube. Make sure to evaluate the products and decide which option makes the most sense for you or your business.

Software encoders

AWS Elemental MediaLive

AWS Elemental MediaLive is a broadcast-grade live video processing service, supporting live streaming all the way up to 4Kp60 HEVC.

Cinamaker Director Studio

(Mac & iOS)

The all-in-one multi-camera video recording, editing, and live streaming app. Include up to 8 local iPhones, digital cameras, and remote guests via Zoom in HD. Add overlays, graphics, audio, video, screens, and visual effects. Stream to YouTube, Zoom, RTMP. Save hours building your video library with the In-App Editor.

Elgato Game Capture Software
Windows, Mac

Record and stream your Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii U gameplay.

Gamecaster
Windows (no charge version available!)

The easiest way to stream and record your greatest gaming moments at the click of a button. Perfect for sharing your gameplay.

Grabyo Producer

Grabyo Producer is a cloud-native live production platform. A virtual, browser-based gallery with the tools to create, manage, distribute and monetize live productions. Features include: Camera switching, audio mixing, instant replay, remote talent contribution, graphics operation, SCTE-35 and RTMP (YouTube) ad insertion, plus much more. Grabyo supports the ingest and delivery of live video in multiple formats including RTMP, SRT, Zixi, and RTP.

Nimble Streamer

Nimble Streamer is a software media server for building cost-efficient streaming and content delivery networks. Network capabilities include RTMP, SRT, NDI, Dante, WebRTC, Icecast, HLS, DASH and much more along with Transcoder add-on for content transformation. Playout, ads insertion, paywall and other features allow easy to use content monetization.

Open Broadcaster Software

Open source software for video recording and live streaming at no charge.

PRISM Live Studio

Windows

PRISM Live Studio is a streaming software for Windows that is recognized for its intuitive user interface and convenient usability. Streamers love this software for its stable streaming quality and attractive features such as beauty and sticker effects, drawing, virtual background, virtual camera, and integration with PRISM mobile apps. All the features are given for no charge.

Restream

The leading live streaming broadcasting studio for creators and businesses. Stream live to 30+ platforms simultaneously from our cloud studio. Invite guests, add overlays, play videos, & professionalize your stream – at no charge, and easy to use.

Stage TEN

Easily produce and distribute broadcast quality live streams. You can invite guests from anywhere, drag-and-drop media and graphics, add live commerce to your streams, interact with audiences and earn revenue.

Streamlabs
Windows, iOS, Android

Streamlabs is the leading broadcast software for streamers. There's no charge, it's open-source, and packed with powerful features to help you grow, get to know, and monetize.

Streamlabs Talk Studio

Best live streaming app for professional quality-live streams from your browser. Invite guests with ease. Packed with features, tons of customization options, donations, and no downloads needed.

StreamYard

StreamYard is the most popular live streaming and podcast studio in the world. Interview guests, feature live chats on screen, brand your broadcasts, and more. All in your browser, no downloads required. Get started.

TITAN Live

TITAN Live is a high-quality and high-density video processing solution that is designed for Cable, DTH, DTT, IPTV, OTT Live delivery of SD, HD and UHD content. Featuring cutting edge technology, TITAN Live can ingest any channel to simultaneously produce multiple streams in real-time and deliver live video compression for the converged head-end. TITAN Live is a pure software solution, virtualizable and CPU and hardware agnostic, allowing deployments on and off premises from an appliance-like installation on bare metal to a docker orchestrated cloud native solution.

Upstream

Upstream.so is a leading cloud studio for easy 24/7 live video streaming. Design and setup your 24/7 streams right from your browser, no download or technical expertise needed. Packed with custom features and seamless YouTube integration, a great tool for creators and businesses looking to manage 24/7 live streams with ease.

Wirecast
Windows, Mac

Easy-to-use, award-winning live streaming and production software. Add cameras, live screenshots, titles, graphics, and more with just a click of a button. Stream directly to YouTube or any RTMP destination. Works with the YouTube API so you can manage, create, and schedule or stream your live channel without leaving the app.

XSplit Broadcaster
Windows (no charge version available!)

Revolutionary audio/video-mixing app that allows you to create professional live broadcasts and video recordings.

Hardware encoders

AirServer
Windows, Mac

Mirror your mobile device or computer to YouTube.

AWS Elemental Live

AWS Elemental Live is an on-premises video encoder that processes live video for broadcast and streaming to any device.

Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K

The ultimate HD and Ultra HD streaming solution that includes a professional hardware streaming engine for streaming up to 2160p60 directly to YouTube.

Direkt Link

Intinor develops products for sending high quality video over the internet. Our products are easy to use, mobile, robust, and reliable. Used by broadcasters and is the trusted encoder of choice for major esports events. Made in Sweden.

Elgato

Elgato is a world-leading provider of audiovisual technology for content creators on all video sharing platforms and the creator of Stream Deck, a programmable usb controller that has over 200 ready-made plugins or map keyboard shortcuts to keys or dials for your live stream production.

Epiphan Pearl 2

The Pearl-2 is a video switcher, recorder, streamer, splitter, and scaler all in one. This software offers six video inputs and four for XLR professional audio, 4K streaming and recording, NDI support, chroma keying, and much more. Pearl-2 brings the pro features and processing power required for the most demanding live streams.

LiveU Solo

Best-in-class, plug-and-play video encoder offering one-touch, wireless live streaming directly from your camera/switcher to YouTube and other online destinations. Reliably stream from anywhere using the same LRT™ bonding technology used by major broadcasters.

Nvidia

NVIDIA GPUs contain a hardware-based encoder (NVENC) which provides fully accelerated hardware-based video encoding, enabling higher-quality live streaming and better game performance without the need to utilize your CPU.

SlingStudio

The industry's first portable, wireless multi-camera broadcasting platform. Monitor, record, switch, edit, and stream live HD-quality video wirelessly to YouTube.

Teradek VidiU Go

Stream in broadcast quality on-the-go from any camera, switcher, or video source. Compact and portable, the Vidiu Go supports full 1080p60 SDI and HDMI workflows for the most discerning user.

Mobile encoders

AirServer
Windows, Mac

Mirror your mobile device to YouTube.

Larix Broadcaster

iOS, Android

Larix Broadcaster is a mobile app for iOS and Android for capturing and streaming live via protocols like SRT, RTMP, NDI, WebRTC, Zixi and more. Users can utilize the full power of their mobile cameras to contribute content with web and text overlays, graphics, dynamic camera manipulation, advanced audio settings and other enhancements to make your IRL streams of any kind.

PRISM Live Studio

iOS, Android

PRISM Live Studio is one of the most popular mobile apps optimized for IRL and gaming streaming. It is loved by streamers for its stable streaming quality and attractive features such as decoration and beauty effects, source overlay, and chroma key. All the features are given for no charge.

Streamlabs
Windows, iOS, Android

Built on OBS, and combines Streamlabs alerts, shortcuts, tipping, face masks, and thousands of themes and overlays for no charge.

Wirecast Go
iOS

There's no charge when downloaded from the iOS App Store. Easily produce professional live broadcasts from your iPhone and stream them to YouTube. Switch shots, add photos, graphics, and more on up to three layers at a time for powerful mobile production. Read YouTube comments and chat in real time and interact with your audience. Schedule, create, and manage your YouTube live streams directly inside the app. Upgrade from the no charge version to stream to any RTMP destination.

3. Connect your hardware

If you’re using hardware, like a webcam, a microphone, or a headset, connect them and make sure they’re set up with your encoder.

Depending on your stream, you may use different hardware. Here are some typical examples:

Gaming & casual live streams
Many streamers use an external microphone, webcam, and headphones. Gamers may also use other tools like a greenscreen.

Improper encoder setup can cause technical issues with your hardware while streaming.

Professional live streams
Advanced stream setups can include more than one microphone, camera, mixer, and hardware encoder.

4. Connect your encoder and go live

To start streaming, enter your YouTube Live server URL and stream key into your encoder. If you have audio and video hardware, set it up with your encoder, also known as streaming software.

Start live streaming now

Schedule a live stream

Use the Live Control Panel

When you live stream, you can use a compact version of the Live Control Room (Live Control Panel) to minimize the display area you need for your stream. The Live Control Panel shows you important info from the Live Control Room, such as Views and Chat revenue, in a smaller display area.

To turn on the Live Control Panel:

In the Live Control Room, go to the stream dashboard.
In the lower left-hand corner, click Popout dashboard .

To close the Live Control Panel, exit out of the window.

Note: You can only use the Live Control Panel feature when you live stream with an encoder or webcam.

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