Streamyard is an online service that lets you create professional-looking live streams. To date, they support Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, however also other platforms. You can speak with guests and get in touch with your audience via remarks and concerns.
Going by the many StreamYard examines we have actually sampled across the web, it appears this multistreaming software application has already brought in a pretty solid following– regardless of its newcomer status.
You see, while StreamYard just came into the scene in 2018, the majority of its close competitors were around for the better part of the 2010s. Restream.io and Streamlabs, for example, were founded in 2014 and had actually managed to protect a strong footing by the time StreamYard was releasing.Meeting Streaming Services
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Now, that begs the question– how exactly has StreamYard handled to penetrate the market? What lags this outstanding run?
Could it have something to do with the platform's generous offering of free live streaming? Or, maybe, could users be enjoying the ” most convenient method to develop professional live streams”– as StreamYard promotes on its primary site?
Well, this is where we ask you to bring up a chair, get relaxing, and focus– due to the fact that, for the next couple of minutes, we'll be exposing all there is to learn about this multistreaming platform.
This StreamYard evaluation is based on our months-long, hands-on experience– through which we consistently tested out the software to assess not just its live streaming and multistreaming abilities, but likewise the accompanying features for video hosting, analytics, video modifying, and audience engagement.
What's more, you get to discover how everything compares with other trusted live video streaming platforms. We're speaking about Restream vs StreamYard, OBS vs StreamYard, and Livestream vs StreamYard.
So, by the time you're done with this StreamYard review, you'll have found out how it genuinely fits into your video streaming and broadcasting needs.
Now that's all excellent, however the landscape of live stream platforms is now more competitive than ever– so how does StreamYard compare to the leading alternatives?
In this video we do a COMPLETE StreamYard evaluation, covering whatever you require to know to decide if it's the BEST Live Stream software application for you! (… and for those of you who submitted all the ask for a StreamYard vs OBS, StreamYard vs Zoom, or StreamYard vs Ecamm Live comparison– we got you covered.).
You can also utilize a call to action in your videos. Most importantly, the program runs in your internet browser, so you do not even need to install anything.
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StreamYard Rates
No StreamYard review would be total without pricing information, and on that front StreamYard offers a cost schedule with four membership options. You could either go for the Free bundle, the Basic plan, the Expert strategy, or the Business option.
Here are their details:.
Free: This plan is completely free of charge. At no charge at all, you get to broadcast streams of up to 20 hours each month, within which you can host as much as 6 on-screen participants. Such videos tend to show StreamYard's branding on one of the corners.
Basic: The lowest you can spend for the Basic plan is $20 each month, which is the regular monthly equivalent when you opt for the annual billing option. Otherwise, paying on a month-to-month basis will cost you $25 monthly.
Whichever of the above strategies you pick, you'll be able to multistream your content throughout as much as 3 destination channels at once, record as much as 4 hours per stream, create custom destinations with RTMP, along with personalize your video streams with background media, overlays, and brand logo designs. In the meantime, StreamYard will omit its branding from the broadcast videos, power limitless streaming, and support as much as ten on-screen individuals.
Expert: The Specialist plan chooses an yearly equivalent of $39 monthly if you go for annual billing, or just $49 monthly if you select month-to-month billing.
For that price, you get to produce and keep audio recordings of your specific on-screen guests, broadcast material completely HD (1080p) resolution, multistream videos across approximately eight destinations simultaneously, tape-record approximately 8 hours per stream, established your own destinations through Custom-made RTMP, customize your video backgrounds, present overlays in the videos, add custom logo designs to your streams, run endless broadcasts, in addition to operate without StreamYard branding on your videos.
Business: Company is a customized bundle for users with bigger groups and more requiring needs. The costs here, nevertheless, are not supplied. Instead, interested celebrations are asked for to connect with StreamYard's sales team.
StreamYard Review– Pros and Cons.
You get multi-stream locations and full HD video quality, along with overlays and other features.
Streamyard time limits
You can develop videos for up to 2 hours with the complimentary plan, 4 hours with the basic one, and 8 hours with the professional strategy. Nevertheless, with the complimentary variation, you are restricted to live streaming for just 20 hours monthly.
With the free version, you are limited to live streaming for just 20 hours per month.
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How to use Streamyard
Of all, if the video showcased at the beginning of this post wasn't helpful enough, you may desire to know that Streamyard has its own video tutorial series on YouTube. Simply look it up.
You can go to Locations and pick all of the various ones you would like to stream to, whether that be Facebook, Linkedin, or YouTube. You can even use Twitch or Periscope.
You can likewise go to any past broadcasts and download the recordings to send them off to your video editor. However to produce a broadcast, you can either do so straight, or you can untick all of the destinations and simply tape-record the video.
To produce a broadcast, you can either do so directly, or you can untick all of the destinations and simply record the video. .
With their customized banners, you can advise your audience to like and register for your channel or leave a remark. You're likewise enabled to use a fixed banner instead of a scrolling one or both, depending upon your preferences.
If you go to ‘Brand,' you can alter the overlays, colors, or your logo design. You likewise have the alternative of talking independently with your visitors. If you are on a live webinar, you can independently inform them that there are just 5 minutes left and that you need to wrap it up.
There is a section on the ideal side of the screen of any broadcast, and it shows the remarks that you get. If you click on any of them, it will be immediately displayed on the screen.
There are several settings readily available, too, and they help you in picking the video quality, the electronic camera you wish to utilize, and also the audio (your laptop computer's mic or a different one).
In my opinion, this is among the easiest tools to use out there, and the ability to add banners and have individuals's comments revealed on the screen includes quite a bit of professionalism to your video content.
StreamYard is basically a web-based media studio that permits you to not just record, however also distribute and stream videos (plus audio) directly from your browser. It's constructed to connect with social platforms, providing you the opportunity to multistream and dynamically communicate with audiences across various social channels.
You can, for instance, broadcast your videos and audio to Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, LinkedIn, and Periscope. StreamYard has, up until now, extended its multistreaming assistance to nine destination channels– which is far less than the over 30 alternatives used by the similarity Restream.
On the other side, nevertheless, it deserves keeping in mind that while a number of StreamYard's top-level rivals (Restream) are quite exhaustive in regards to multistreaming channels, StreamYard tends to focus more on simplicity. It offers just the vital to keep its live streaming platform simple enough for all usage levels.
Mentioning which, the kinds of users you should anticipate to discover here consist of business owners, online marketers, creatives, influencers, brand names, the media, politicians, influencers, spiritual leaders, edupreneurs, and speakers. StreamYard generally targets anyone who's looking for to broadcast their live content to a big audience.
In total, StreamYard reportedly serves more than 100,000 premium users each month, with over 10,000 extra registrations trickling in monthly. These users continue to use StreamYard's tools to produce professional-looking live streams, broadcast pre-recorded material, along with engage audiences through questions, remarks, and CTAs.
Edupreneurs can, for instance, usage StreamYard to hold academic occasions and online classes. Organizations of all types benefit from StreamYard when it concerns holding virtual meetings, digital interviews, podcasts, and virtual occasions. Additionally, they use it for social media broadcasting, list building, brand name promo, and community engagement.
StreamYard likewise allows you to collaborate with approximately 10 other broadcasters in your live streams. They can share screens, interact with audiences, and react appropriately to speak with questions.
All these functions are readily available for as low as $20 each month when you choose to pay every year. But, if that sounds too steep for you, you can get going on a completely totally free package– which will provide you a streaming allowance of up to 20 hours per month, together with a maximum of 6 on-screen individuals, and standard customization capabilities.
With that said, let's now dive into the main features to check out how StreamYard manages when it comes to the genuine thing.
StreamYard Evaluation– Highlight
Alleviate of Use and Beginning.
As a new user, something you're bound to appreciate from the word go is StreamYard's overall construct.
For beginners, this multistreaming tool happens to run totally on the cloud. That means that, contrary to what we've experienced with StreamYard alternatives like OBS and Zoom, you will not be required to set up any software on your PC.
There are essentially no system requirements here. StreamYard is completely capable of working on any web-enabled device. Once you have actually installed a trustworthy web browser like Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Google Chrome, the only other thing you need to fire it up is a stable internet connection.
Now that, combined with the completely totally free plan, makes StreamYard significantly low-cost and accessible. You do not need to stress over purchasing video processing hardware, high-performance PCs, graphics cards, and whatnot. Just a fundamental PC video camera and microphone must be good enough to start you off on content production and broadcasting.
The registration process itself is quite simple. Simply key in your email address and the system will send a login code to your mail box.
Then when you proceed and lastly make your way to the dashboard, it becomes apparent why StreamYard is honestly declaring the ” simplest live streaming” crown. The interface is developed to just use the basics while keeping whatever else– including the layout– neat, uncluttered, and well-labeled.
StreamYard page to pick social networks location choice.
Overall, I ‘d say StreamYard is much simpler and more intuitive than the similarity Zoom and Microsoft Teams. There's nothing complicated about the interface and its menu alternatives. Even technically inexperienced newbies need to have an simple time discovering the ropes.
The first thing you need to do on StreamYard is to include your live streaming destinations. You could proceed with either of the 9 default channels, or alternatively, established your own custom combination using the rather technical ” Customized RTMP” option.
Video recording, on the other hand, is only a matter of striking the “Broadcast” button and StreamYard will direct you to its studio. This is where all the magic happens– you'll get basic controls for shooting clips, inviting visitors, personalizing the video design, engaging audiences, controlling audio, and so on. All these are quickly operable.
StreamYard Broadcast selection page
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Live Video Streaming
On the live video streaming front, StreamYard supplies just adequate features to attain a favorable balance between simplicity and performance. In other words, you get standard tools for handling your live video sessions, without going deep into the technical stuff.
StreamYard taping function choice page
For instance– when you finally begin establishing live video sessions within StreamYard's studio, it won't take you long to notice that the platform is pretty light on video modifying tools.
This is not where you perform cut-aways, frame cropping, or unique visual impacts on your live videos. Instead, StreamYard just allows you to fine-tune standard things like the video background.
If you wish to give it a try, simply set up a green screen as your live video's background, and StreamYard's video gamer will change into a dynamic screen. That means you can proceed and position any image as your video background. StreamYard will actively display it throughout your live video session.
Other than that, it's possible to brand name your live videos to promote your business. The entire process is as basic as simply uploading and including a brand name logo to your screen. Images, GIFs, videos, you name it– all these media files can be quickly ingrained as overlays on the video broadcast screen.
StreamYard page to brand live videos
Such benefits, however, are not available on the complimentary package. And while you might live stream your videos to any of the five location platforms (Facebook, Twitch, Periscope, LinkedIn, & & YouTube), it turns out you'll just have the ability to stream up to 20 hours a month.
Premium users, on the other hand, get the unique benefits of live-streaming to multiple destination channels, creating custom-made RTMP destinations, and communicating the videos in Full HD.
Now, to be clear, Complete HD in this case refers to 1080p screen resolution. That's the highest you can go on your StreamYard live streams– although the last output likewise depends upon the viewer's internet connection speeds.
Another significant live streaming function is on-screen participation. StreamYard permits you to amount to 10 different visitors to your live broadcasts.
The tool to use in such a circumstance is the welcome button, which is accessible directly from StreamYard's studio. Clicking it will produce a link that you can send to your welcomed visitors to facilitate quick access.
The visitors, on the other hand, should be able to take part from any gadget without registering or downloading any software application. However, if you choose otherwise, you can turn on the guest authentication option from StreamYard's studio settings.
Either way, when the visitors finally come aboard, they'll be visible to both you and the viewers– like a normal talking show. In the meantime, you can go on and arrange the split-screen design based on your favored outlook. StreamYard allows you to drag the visitors' windows to switch their positions, along with easily swap visitors in and out of a dynamic session.
On their end, visitors get the choice of sharing their screens– although the final decision on whether to display them or not rests with the live streaming host.
Multistreaming
Multistreaming is another core functionality you'll find on StreamYard. The platform has actually so far integrated 9 location channels, which are spread out across five of the biggest streaming websites on the web. These are:.
- YouTube.
- Facebook.
- LinkedIn.
- Twitter.
- Twitch.
- If you're seeking to relay your streams through Facebook, for example, StreamYard offers you the advantage of communicating to not only your Facebook profile, however likewise the groups and pages on Facebook. That means Facebook alone represents three of StreamYard's default location channels:
- Facebook Profile.
- Facebook Group.
- Facebook Page.
The very same applies to LinkedIn, as you get to utilize the following location options: - LinkedIn Profile.
- LinkedIn Event.
- LinkedIn Page.
When it comes to YouTube and Twitch, you can just transmit your material through your main profile, while Twitter streaming is powered by Periscope– an app that embeds video broadcasts within tweets.
These options, combined, amount to nine broadcasting locations, which you could proceed to add to your account right after signing up. Just click on your selected destination channel, and StreamYard will proceed and form the connection automatically. The entire treatment just takes a couple of seconds.
StreamYard page for adding social networks destination
Now that's all quite commendable, I need to admit. Then once again, let's face it– with just nine streaming destinations, StreamYard might feel minimal when you compare it to giants like Restream and Castr. Each of these two alternative multistreaming platforms supports more than 30 video broadcasting websites by default.
On the other hand, not many broadcasters exceed the popular social websites on StreamYard's list. Players, for instance, would be okay with simply Twitch, Facebook, and YouTube. Services, on the other hand, would maybe want to broadcast their live streams to their fans on LinkedIn, YouTube, and probably Facebook.
It turns out StreamYard likewise offers a Custom-made RTMP option. This is what you choose when you prefer otherwise, as it permits you to incorporate your own location channels. Users can, for instance, set up StreamYard streaming on their RTMP-compatible company websites.
The only problem with this path is, it happens to be a bit more technical than the default destination alternatives. You'll be needed to enter your RTMP server URL and stream secret to establish a connection.
Now, whatever you end up integrating in the long run, you can expect StreamYard to facilitate as much as 8 multistream locations at the same time. That means it's possible, for example, to broadcast your live stream at the same time across Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, as well as on your Facebook and LinkedIn groups, pages, and profile.
Do note, nevertheless, that you won't have the ability to do that on the free bundle. Only users on the $49 monthly Expert strategy can multistream to eight destinations, while Fundamental strategy users get to extend up to 3 multistreaming locations.
Other than that, you ought to bear in mind that the location platforms have varying streaming time limits. You can not run the broadcast beyond 4 hours on Periscope, 2 days on Twitch, 4 hours on LinkedIn, 12 hours on YouTube, and 8 hours on Facebook.
What's more, most of your viewers will need to cope without video captions, as StreamYard studio does not generate them by default. On a brighter note, though, a minimum of you can rely on websites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube to add them instantly from their end.
While the video streams are running, StreamYard attempts to keep you on top of the incoming remarks. The studio here not only shows comments from all the location channels, however also permits you to react to them as they come. You need to have an easy time driving audience engagement and keeping the conversations going during and after your multiple live streaming sessions.
StreamYard page to start recording
Streaming Pre-recorded Videos
When it concerns broadcasting pre-recorded videos, StreamYard can be a bit confusing. While the platform supports pre-recorded material, it does not exactly give you the choice to transmit the clips specifically.
What does that mean?
Well, for beginners, it's possible to create pre-recorded videos utilizing StreamYard. By picking “Record Only”, you get to access the studio and shoot clips without going live on any of the destination platforms. The controls here are pretty simple for anybody who means to tape-record a lecture, webinar, presentation, tutorial, or possibly gameplay.
StreamYard modify recording page
Streamyard doesn't stop there. It likewise supports video uploads from local sources. That indicates you can go on and upload ready-made clips (in MP4 or MOV format) directly to your StreamYard account.
Now, here's where the problem lies. You can pre-record videos, it turns out you will not be able to schedule them to stream on their own. The only method you can transmit pre-recorded videos on StreamYard is by sharing them as part of your live streams.
The same applies to uploaded clips. In essence, StreamYard just permits you to publish external media if you intend to add them to your live streams. It's, otherwise, impossible to broadcast them individually.
You might say that StreamYard is unsuitable for anybody who intends to transmit previously recorded lectures, webinars, speeches, tutorials, or talks. This multistreaming platform is solely developed for live broadcasters.
That stated, one intriguing thing to note about StreamYard is, while it does not support the broadcasting of pre-recorded videos, at least it handles to tape the live streams for later gain access to.
Such broadcast recordings are subsequently made available for download in both audio and video formats. This gives users the chance to repurpose their broadcast content once the live stream sessions have ended.
You can, for example, download one of your talks in audio format and after that include it to your podcast channel. Or perhaps, you might recover a previous instructional webinar and then publish it to your online training programs as a knowing resource.
StreamYard page to download your recording.
Business plan users, in particular, have an benefit here: they get to retain their live broadcast recordings permanently. Other kinds of accounts can only keep the files for as much as 15 days post-broadcast, upon which they are permanently deleted.
Live Streaming Analytics
StreamYard will help you stream your live broadcasts to a variety of social channels. And yes, it'll also power your audience engagement by passing on the remarks as they come.
That's as far as it goes. This is not one of those multistreaming platforms that track KPIs in the background to keep you well-updated on the broadcast efficiency.
The only metric you can view while using StreamYard is the existing viewership count. Beyond that, you can just depend on the matching destination platforms to supply you with much deeper analytics.
Pros of StreamYard.
You do not require funds to start. That's due to the fact that StreamYard provides a permanently free bundle with several good streaming functions.
The user interface here is considerably easy to use. It features only the standard controls in a neat, uncluttered, and minimalistic layout.
As the host of a live streaming broadcast, you can amount to ten on-screen participants to your session.
In addition to its default destination channels, StreamYard provides you the option of establishing your own customized streaming combinations through RTMP.
Considering that it's completely cloud-based, StreamYard saves you the difficulty of downloading, setting up, and provisioning an on-premise software application solution.
It powers audience engagement during live broadcasts by relaying discussions in between hosts and their audiences.
The broadcast video design can be quickly customized within the studio to showcase the wanted media, overlays, video background, and branding.
The system facilitates multistreaming in Full HD, which translates to a display screen resolution of 1080p.
You can broadcast your content throughout as much as eight streaming locations simultaneously.
After saving your live streams, StreamYard permits you to download and repurpose the material in audio or video format.
Cons of StreamYard
By default, StreamYard only provides integrations for nine destination channels: LinkedIn Profile, LinkedIn Occasion, LinkedIn Page, Facebook Profile, Facebook Group, Facebook Pages, Twitch, Twitter ( by means of Periscope), and YouTube.
Linking an additional streaming location through customized RTMP is a technical procedure that requires some level of tech skills.
StreamYard is fairly limited in regards to video modifying and broadcast management features.
The system is incapable of producing video captions in its live material streams. Consequently, broadcasters are required to count on the destination platforms.
It's difficult to stream content in 2K or 4K resolution. The farthest you can go here is 1080p.
StreamYard's studio can tape material without going live, users can not schedule and stream pre-recorded content. You're only enabled to reveal such media within your live streams.
StreamYard doesn't supply extensive analytics on its broadcasts. The only metric it tracks is the present view count.
By now it's pretty clear that StreamYard is a mixture of oranges and lemons. While it has some very solid benefits, they happen to be accompanied by their fair share of downsides.
Wondering where that places StreamYard in relation to its closest competitors?
Well, here's how it compares with three of its most popular alternatives:
- Restream.
- OBS.
- Livestream.
# 1. StreamYard vs Restream.io
Restream Begin Home Page
Restream and StreamYard take place to share quite a number of similarities. They are both multistreaming platforms that can broadcasting live content to a vast array of social channels.
And while they're at it, StreamYard and Restream give you the added advantage of tailoring your video layout, including on-screen participants, recording your live sessions, in addition to screen sharing.
Also, if you choose to experiment with Restream.io, you'll observe that similar to StreamYard, it offers you the option of starting on a permanently totally free bundle. The accompanying premium plans, on the other hand, start at $16 monthly and stretch all the way to $299 per month.
Based upon that, it may appear that Restream is more expensive than StreamYard. But then when you dig deeper to acutely examine their respective function offerings, it unexpectedly emerges why there's a plain difference in pricing.
For starters, Restream offers a much wider range of location channels. It has, up until now, constructed integrations for more than 30 broadcasting platforms– including all the choices you'll find on StreamYard.
Another thing about Restream.io is, it's versatile enough to broadcast even pre-recorded videos. Users can upload videos in numerous formats, arrange their broadcasts, and then leave the platform to stream the content without going live.
While the video streams are running, Restream handles to keep an eye on the key metrics, which it consequently analyzes to generate in-depth insights. Here, you can make educated decisions based on not only your stream metrics, however also the accompanying chat metrics, audience metrics, and followers metrics.
All things considered, therefore, we can conclude that Restream.io wins the robustness contest. Streamyard, on the other hand, emerges as the much easier-to-use multistreamig platform.
Attempt Restream totally free button
# 2. StreamYard vs OBS
OBS Studio Web page
If StreamYard's totally free packaging does not impress you enough, you might opt for the totally complimentary OBS live streaming software application.
OBS, or Open Broadcaster Software application in full, is a free open-source streaming service that's exceedingly growing in appeal amongst broadcasters. This is the kind of software you turn to when you require uninterrupted free access, substantial modification abilities, and extensive control of the video streaming criteria.
With OBS, you can edit and tweak a heck of a great deal of stuff within your video broadcasts. It includes an audio mixer, video filters, custom-made shifts, sound suppression, and so on– basically the whole shebang of digital editing tools.
As you ‘d expect, however, this all-encompassing technique makes complex the software application's operability. So, it's not a surprise that OBS requires some type of technical abilities to set up, tailor, and run.
Then, speaking of installation, another aspect of OBS that may put you off is its total develop. It's an on-premise software application that you have to download and then established within your local maker. That implies that in addition to technical abilities, you require strong hardware that can successfully handle video modifying and processing jobs.
Thus, OBS is best for intermediate level to highly knowledgeable broadcasters who not just own high-performance PCs, but likewise understand how to work with sophisticated video editors. StreamYard, on the other hand, is for the average Joe that wants to experiment with transmitting to several social platforms.
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# 3. StreamYard vs Livestream
Livestream Begin Home Page
Livestream vs StreamYard is like a contest in between Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Paint. StreamYard boasts an variety of good live streaming features, it's exceptionally dwarfed by Livestream's expertise.
The complete name is Vimeo Livestream. And, unlike StreamYard, it happens to act as an business video modifying and streaming option. This is where the similarity sports producers, news channels, tv programs, and government companies come when they require to record, edit, and broadcast live material to a broad audience across multiple digital platforms.
One thing you can guess about Vimeo Livestream is that it loads a host of advanced video management tools and workflow automation capabilities. This, naturally, makes it more complex than StreamYard, in addition to considerably costlier.
All in all, Livestream is a service for large companies with highly requiring video streaming requirements, while StreamYard is developed for small broadcasters who value simpleness.
StreamYard– Last Decision
At this point in our StreamYard evaluation, we think it's not a secret anymore how StreamYard has handled to increase through the ranks in such a short amount of time.
The platform's ever-growing popularity can essentially be attributed to its exceptional user-friendliness. StreamYard is a highly available multistreaming platform that not just gets you started totally free, but also keeps an very easy-to-use interface.
So simple is it that you won't need any kind of onboarding. StreamYard's whole system is developed to offer even technically unskilled newbies a smooth shift into the platform, and an simple time with its broadcast management tools.
The studio itself features simple controls for recording videos, establishing live stream broadcasts, coordinating on-screen participants, and engaging audiences across numerous social platforms.
On the other side, nevertheless, you could argue that StreamYard loses points through its really limited choice of streaming locations.
Well, that holds true– however, so is the truth that the few default options have actually at least managed to cover the most popular streaming websites on the web. The bulk of digital broadcasters tend to distribute their content on sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter; while players rely on Twitch; and businesses additionally prioritize LinkedIn.
To sweeten the offer further, StreamYard even includes a Customized RTMP alternative, which permits you to incorporate your own destination platforms. This is what you use, for example, when you need to broadcast content on your website.
That said, my most significant problem with StreamYard is the absence of broadcast analytics, and its limitations with pre-recorded video streaming. Users on this platform would extremely benefit from in-depth metrics and the capability to stream pre-recorded content.
Nonetheless, when you take everything into consideration, StreamYard is certainly a solidmultistreaming service for small companies, business owners, speakers, influencers, online marketers, fitness instructors, and coaches.